First off I apologize for what will likely be a long message.

Secondly let me introduce myself. My name is Joe, im a 19 year old who is in that position of having to decide some sort of life plan. After much deliberation and careful consideration I have decided that the idea of being a backcountry pilot is extremely appealing (whether it be instructing students, flying charters, sightseeing tours, hunting/fishing trips). My problem is determining the best course of action to reach this goal. The abundance of information on the internet, in my case leaves me more confused and overwhelmed as to what to do.

Would you suggest starting out with a PPL and then obtaining a commercial license with the appropriate endorsements and the completion of mountain/backcountry specific flying course?

How about taking an Aviation and flight technology diploma program at one of the many aviation specific colleges?

Some colleges offer a combined course during which you receive your PPL and commercial license simultaneously (here in Canada they are called Integrated Commercial Pilots Courses). Is this a good route or is it geared more towards major airline pilots?

I dont want to necessarily close any doors in regards to becoming a major airline pilot, however it is not my main focus.

Also would it be beneficial to attend college for aircraft maintenance?

This community seemed like a good place to try to find some answers as everyone is friendly and helpful. If however there is a more appropriate community in which to find some answers i would greatly appreciate someone pointing me in that direction.

Thank you for your time and thanks in advance to any replies.

One last thing.....is it even possible to make a living doing this?

A professional backcountry pilot is also know as a "bush pilot."

My understanding is:

-You'll need a multi engine, commercial (with the IFR) rating to begin with. Throw in a tail wheel endorsement as well.
-Getting your mechanics license is not a requirement, but since a lot of the businesses that actually have bush pilots on staff are small operations, they would like to hire a pilot/mechanic to save money.
-For Alaska specifically, you not only need "flight time" to submit a resume, but also "Alaska time". Some guy with 5000 hours flying KC-135s for the Air Force wouldn't be eligible to fly a Super Cub for a Bush outfit.

Getting on with a Bush outfit will be a process of getting your required stuff complete and a lot of hand-shaking, grunt work, and climbing a ladder.

Find a few compaies you would like to work for, tell them your ambition to fly for them, tell them the specific steps you have planned to achieve their required qualifications and make sure they know that you wouldn't mind working for them washing planes, handling luggage/cargo, sweeping the hangar, taking out the trash until you are qualified.

Do some internet searches for "Bush Pilot" and "Alaska" and you'll find forums, personal pages and company pages that'll lead you in the right direction.

Good luck!

Joe,

As one who earned his living flying the backcountry of Alaska for nearly 30 years, I can offer a few suggestions.

First, most professional pilots who work the backcountry shun the term "bush pilot". As I always said in response to folks who asked me if I was a "bush pilot": "Nope, I try to keep em out of the bushes as much as I can".

You will need a Commercial certificate, and an instrument rating. A multi engine rating may be helpful, but the majority of backcountry operators use singles, not twins. Building multi time is VERY expensive, so I'd focus on building appropriate single engine time first.

A four year degree is an excellent idea IF you plan to fly for an agency, as I did, as a biologist or warden or conservation officer, etc. In that case, a degree in natural resource management or wildlife management would be the best. Take a look at the University of Minnesota, Crookston's web site. We offer degrees in Natural Resource Aviation and Law Enforcement Aviation. I run that program, so if you want particulars, send me a PM.

As much time in conventional gear aircraft (tailwheel) as you can get is important with most outfits. Float time, or at the very least a float rating is going to be mandatory for many operators, but not all.

Now, the tough part is getting that seat. Figure out specifically where you want to be and what you want to do, and go there. Work in whatever capacity you can find employment, and continue to build flight time on your own however you can. Personal contacts are pure gold in this world, so don't hesitate to make contacts, treat people with respect and ask lots of questions.

I've seen a lot of very dedicated young people find their way into this type of flying career, but they worked hard at it, and stuck with it. If you have the patience and dedication, and this is really what you want to do, you can get there, believe me.

As I said, if you're interested in UMC's program, get in touch, either with a PM here, or via the web site.

MTV

Joe,

The UMC website is at http://www.crk.umn.edu/

MTV

Thank you both crazyivan and mtv for your responses. I think I'm going to start out with a four year degree program now i just have to figure out which one and where. The UMC natural resources aviation degree program is extremely appealing. Now i have to figure out if I can get in.

Joe, it sounds as if you do not yet have a pilot certificate, and maybe even have no flying time at all. At the risk of sounding like a stick-in-the-mud, I'd suggest that you get some flight instruction & maybe even go on to get your private license, and to make sure you really want a flying career .... before launching into a time-consuming & expensive program to become a commercial pilot. It'd be a bummer to go thru all that only to discover that you'd rather be framing houses, or whatever.

Eric

One more piece of advice: Definitely get your degree, but you might want to consider getting a degree in some other field that interests you. Degrees in flying are very one dimensional, whereas having some experience in another field can give you even more options to fall back on when you no longer can fly, i.e., you lose your medical, your company furloughs you, your company goes out of business, etc. You can get all the required training, sometimes for less money, going through your local FBO or a flying club rather than a college's flying program. Most four year programs are geared toward training you for the airline environment.

I have a degree in Flight Technology and it is pretty worthless, other than it is a four year degree. I really wish I had gotten a degree in something else.

Grasstripilot,

And, that is precisely one of the advantages of the UMC program. We offer four year degrees in Natural Resource Management, Law Enforcement, Agriculture, and Business, each of which includes flight training to commercial and instrument ratings, plus field specific flight training.

If one gets into the program and decides they don't want to fly after all, they simply switch their degree emphasis to the non-aviation flavor, as in pure Natural Resource Management, or.... They can, of course, do this at any time, but there's the opportunity to complete a private certificate, then drop aviation, or proceed onward. Not many do, of course.

All you folks are absolutely correct, in my opinion. Having a four year degree in the bag is a significant fall back, in the event that you decide you don't care for the pilot gig, you lose your medical, or better opportunities arise.

MTV

Plus, it's fun to be educated. You can be the life of the party as you demonstrate how well read you are, and amaze people with your math skills and understanding of science. Win political arguments by citing actual history rather than one-liners you hear on the news. Pull those hot nerdy chicks with your knowlege of literature and poetry. Man, this is making me miss college.

I went to engineering school for 6 years, and still didn't graduate. It's a long story, but basically I kinda fell into my current career and got burned out on industrial engineering. I wanted to switch to Computer Science, which was part of the engineering college, but it was too competitive with the GPA minimum, so I fled to southern california to try to become a rockstar. Bad planning.

My advice is to definitely major in something with a future. Engineers will always have jobs. Practical disciplines like science and medicine could land you in a job that requires flying. I know a guy who worked as a biologist for Fish and Game and spent a lot of time flying on the job. Sounds like mtv had a similar gig, and now he's a professor at a university! There's lots of ways to work flying into your career, but if you dedicate to flying alone, your career options could be pretty limited.

Take it from a guy who didn't; GIT THAT SHEEPSKIN! I went for the "quick buck" and ended up in construction. Now that my body is falling apart, it would be nice to quit humping toolbags, but alas, they keep hiring college boys for the office. My bad.

mtv,

I wish I had known of such a program when I went through college. It sounds like a good mix. Most of by REAL flying experience, i.e. backcountry, has been on my own. Thousands of hours of jet time doesn't do much when trying to get back to a job such as those that your program is geared towards. Well, at least they'll help me meet insurance mins when/if it does finally happen.

Once again thank you everyone for your advice and opinions. I think im going to follow the majority and do some sort of four year degree program such as the one offered at UMC so I have solid career foundation, as well as continue to pursue aviation.

Joe-

I am just a couple years older than you and have been in a similar situation. I started at Utah State University in the aviation program. Took ground school for my PPl then got married and my wife wanted to got to Law School so I had to transfer schools. I was pursuing aviation and mechanical engineering. Now I am just working on my M.E degree and doing aviation on my own. It has worked much better that way for me because I own a plane and no schools would even go near it. I am just getting my degree as a fall back and plan on a career in aviation.

-Jon-