It's been on the desire list for a number of years: Go experience alaska and learn the ropes as a bushpilot for a season. I am at the point to walk away from stability, big pay check, etc and go put my expensive cfi/i multi commercial certificates to work. I have heard/read all about 'show up' and start knocking on doors. I am not aspiring to be an airline pilot - but maybe one day aspiring to own a p135 operation/etc. So looking for a place to go where I am willing to be grunt doing whatever, getting flying time when possible.

So ideas / connections on who to start contacting? I have everything going against me, low hours (~500) no AK time, no float/beaver time. I have owned a plane (never should of sold it), owned a business in Crested Butte, CO (mountain town/reosort business owners clean the toilets often and not above that), worked in the corporate world as project manager/consultant - so can adapt to any situation.

At 38, it's time. Thanks for any tips or knowledge of need for a janitor/pilot. Homer, AK or Talkeetna comes to mind.

Thanks
Travis

Well....

Low time, and wanting a foot in the door, that means Bethel. Yute Air, Grant, Era, and I think Ryan Air are the main outfits there. There is no place in Alaska with as many airplanes in the air Part 135 than there. ANC, FAI and points elsewhere have no where near the opportunities for new guys with low hours.

Start making calls and look at hiring on as a ramper, or, if you can, a right seater in the Caravan. Once you get 1,500 hrs total for insurance and a season or two under your belt in PABE, things improve considerably.

And those jobs are not seasonal. You'll be flying year round, so plan on winter too.

Gump

GumpAir wrote:Well....

Low time, and wanting a foot in the door, that means Bethel. Yute Air, Grant, Era, and I think Ryan Air are the main outfits there. There is no place in Alaska with as many airplanes in the air Part 135 than there. ANC, FAI and points elsewhere have no where near the opportunities for new guys with low hours.

Start making calls and look at hiring on as a ramper, or, if you can, a right seater in the Caravan. Once you get 1,500 hrs total for insurance and a season or two under your belt in PABE, things improve considerably.

And those jobs are not seasonal. You'll be flying year round, so plan on winter too.

Gump

Thanks, yes very aware of that route. I am looking at like Above Alaska Aviation or Alaksa Floats & Skis- CFI work, Homer Air, a lodge etc. Looking at buying another 182 and flying it up this summer. Really, I am looking at any work with a scenic / tourism based outfit to experience it, research into starting my own/purchasing one in the future. So - it's not to go work at the huge outfits as a 'time' builder. It;s truely experiencing the ins and outs of aviation in AK.

Thanks,
Travis

Travis,

No offense intended, but what Gump's described ARE the "ins and outs of aviation in Alaska".

Unless you bring a pretty fat wallet, flight instructing in AK isn't going to keep you in top ramen for long, and certainly isn't representative of what AK flying is about.

I'd also suggest you try to find an air taxi job first, to get some ACTUAL AK flying experience. That will serve you well, wherever you wind up in AK aviation. There's a world of difference between flying in Alaska and working airplanes in Alaska.

Insurance is one of the big sticking points for folks trying to start in AK. Having some air taxi experience fills that niche well, no matter where you end up.

MTV

If you're thinking about flying SE Alaska, then you'd be looking at seasonal work with an option if staying on for the winter. To get a job in SE, you need to travel to JNU, KTN, and SIT the last week of January \ first week of February and start knocking on doors.
Flying coastal SE Alaska vs. Interior / arctic is a completely different experience.

No man can tell another what to do that's for sure. Only advice: if your mind is made up, don't let the dream ruin you financially. You will hate everything that has to do with aviation if you do from then on.

I'll let the pros take it from here.

Thanks for the inputs. Not needing the work to be primary source of income- I am preparing for a 'working vacation' so to speak. Of course a little will help for a beer or 2. Truely looking for an opportunity to experience an aviation business based on tourism dollars in AK. So I was mistaken to say 'Alaska Aviation' because I get it what a majority of the flying in AK is about. Heck even office work with occasional flying is good. Long term my goal is not to be flying in AK, I will continue to be based out of CO or AZ - but who knows a summer in AK could change that to be seasonal. Looking at options for starting/building a side aviation business - hence wanting to experience a summer in AK.

Confirms what I have known, just get my self up there. Now to determine with or without a plane.

Just go and do it, no regrets. Then tell us all about your adventures and post pictures too.
If you are around 500 hours then makes sure you meet part 135 VFR mins at the very least before you head up there. Next goal is part 135 IFR mins(1200 hours).
Good luck.

Rezrider wrote:Just go and do it, no regrets. Then tell us all about your adventures and post pictures too.
If you are around 500 hours then makes sure you meet part 135 VFR mins at the very least before you head up there. Next goal is part 135 IFR mins(1200 hours).
Good luck.

Thats the plan, then back to Co (CB or Telluride). Plan's always change, but direction its leading.

You might want to try Wrangell Mountain Air in McCarthy (http://www.wrangellmountainair.com). They fit your profile and occasionally have hiring requirements. In addition to others, they presently have two seasonal pilots from Colorado, cater to the tourist industry, are Part 135, and may even be interested in offers some day: outstanding outfit.

Nizina wrote:You might want to try Wrangell Mountain Air in McCarthy (http://www.wrangellmountainair.com). They fit your profile and occasionally have hiring requirements. In addition to others, they presently have two seasonal pilots from Colorado, cater to the tourist industry, are Part 135, and may even be interested in offers some day: outstanding outfit.

Awesome, thanks! Sent you a PM also.