If you have base access, check out the Aero Club.
http://www.jberaeroclub.com/

You'd be money ahead to pick up your IR down there somewhere. Not sure about aero clubs but everything civilian is way too expensive here. I did one of those 7 day rating deals years ago. They teach you the checkride. You're not an instrument pilot when they hand you the ticket, but until a person gets significant actual, you're not anyway.

TradeCraft wrote:If you have base access, check out the Aero Club.
http://www.jberaeroclub.com/

I was thinking the same thing. At least the flight time would be AK time and if u got the $$ maybe combine IFR and multiple eng rating. I agree with GB about being cheaper outside but season will be close to over by the time he gets done, Just being in Alaska during training helps to get motivated and assimilated and see if your wife is going to stay. My first one didn't ......Darn come to think about it second one didn't either But good news is third is a charm...happy after 35 yrs

I looked at multiple schools up there and I think I'm better off just getting the ratings here. Be easier from a logistical point. I'm almost halfway through the instrument anyways. Got 20 hrs hood time and almost ready to take the written. I started on the instrument last fall but switched to the commercial for ag. I should be able to finish the instrument and multi by end of April. I'd like to have some Alaska time starting out but I'll just have to make my "Pacific Northwest" time work for now Not worried about the wife. Shes all for moving to Alaska. I look forward to maybe doing a little bit of mining too.

I think you're on the right track. If I were serious, I would really think about an outfit like Ravn as mentioned above with their paid right seat program. I have an acquaintance who is really high up in the Hageland (I believe a subsidiary) maintenance management section and my niece works for them as a mechanic's helper. They buy some new planes, seems like that's a good sign.

My acquaintance says that getting pilots is becoming a real big deal. I think your timing is perfect if that's the route you want to go. Just remember that housing can be difficult, and you could get plopped down into a village after you get your shirt tail cut. That can be a 3rd world county experience, so know that going in and you'll be fine.

That can be a 3rd world county experience

Ha Ha! Third World Country... With a Zip code.

Gump

Work in a totally different culture can educational and interesting.

And, if you're married, you may not be when you move to a village. Some do just fine, but, it's a very different world.

MTV

Great thread.

I've heard mention a few times now that Alaska may be a place for a guy to do a mid-life career change. Is that still true and what would be the realistic limitations as far as type of companies/aircraft/work you'd be able to get into? Realistic "age barrier" for getting into it? My guess (and a wild-ass one at that) would be that the turbine to twin type jobs may be for the younger crowd. Unlike some of the younger guys, a guy like myself wouldn't be motivated (or deterred) by the starting pay since I've put some money away. It would be truly more of a career-change/lifestyle change. I'm early 40's, ex-military, college degree (if that matters) and sub-1000 hour total time, but have 700 plus TW in super cubs, 180/185's (mostly) and Ag wagons.

thanks in advance,
59SC

fiftynineSC wrote:Great thread.

I've heard mention a few times now that Alaska may be a place for a guy to do a mid-life career change. Is that still true

It is, and I worked with dozens of guys who were exactly in your shoes.

Number one rule is... Knock on doors in person, willing to work. And work is the key word. Part 135 life up in the bush villages is about as different from flying out for that $100 hamburger on a CAVU day as is humanly possible. Getting to fly around in the shitty weather is the easy part.

As was mentioned a post or two above, village life is third world life. It is not America, and you will not be a citizen until you figure out how to fit in. And if you have a wife/girlfriend, or both... They have to learn to fit in. The key words here are YOU have to fit in. No one up there is going to change for you.

That said. If you figure it out, you'll have the adventure of a lifetime, and meet some of the most wonderful people on the planet, and be welcomed into a family you never knew you had.

Gump

59sc,

The "Cessna 207 of this generation" is the Cessna Caravan. With one very reliable turbine engine, a big load capability, and about the right flexibility between seats and cargo, plus single pilot IFR capable, what's not to like? Oh, yeah, FIKI approval.

So, you could probably expect to start out in a 207 and wind up in a Caravan in a few years.

Now if you're looking for work flying Cubs or similar airplanes, that's a very different line of work and there are far fewer of those jobs. Those jobs are out there, but they are few a far between and very competitive.

If you can live with a seasonable job, those are out there, largely with the air tour outfits.

A fellow who posts on this forum occasionally by the screen name Speedo did just what you're suggesting several years ago, and has done very well. He's still flying air taxi in village Alaska, and loving it.

MTV

fiftynineSC wrote:Great thread.

I've heard mention a few times now that Alaska may be a place for a guy to do a mid-life career change. Is that still true and what would be the realistic limitations as far as type of companies/aircraft/work you'd be able to get into? Realistic "age barrier" for getting into it? My guess (and a wild-ass one at that) would be that the turbine to twin type jobs may be for the younger crowd. Unlike some of the younger guys, a guy like myself wouldn't be motivated (or deterred) by the starting pay since I've put some money away. It would be truly more of a career-change/lifestyle change. I'm early 40's, ex-military, college degree (if that matters) and sub-1000 hour total time, but have 700 plus TW in super cubs, 180/185's (mostly) and Ag wagons.

thanks in advance,
59SC

I made the switch from a Dilbert-like career to an Alaska flying career at age 51. It's not quite "Terry and the Pirates," but close. I make about 1/3 - 1/2 of what I used to make and have about 50X more fun. You fly in a beautiful part of the world, someone else pays for the fuel, insurance, and maintenance, and you get loads of fresh fish, game meat, and glacial dust. What's not to like?

Oh, and MTV's advice and counsel has served me very well.

Oops, I forgot Speedo is a man of many screen names

MTV

Thank you guys,

Excellent feedback. I've been very lucky, and if things work out in the next year or so I'll have a lot of flexibility to move where ever. I've read in other places (as well as confirmed here) that this is an "all-day, hard physical work" type of flying job so I am eyes wide open on that end. Mainly looking to seize the opportunity to do something that I love that happens to also be very mentally and physically challenging. At the end of the day, i know it's got to be very hard work or everyone would be doing it. The thing that keeps drawing me to it though is what is invariably brought up during any discussion of Alaska flying....building relationships. Being able to do that at work would be a dream job to me.

The tailwheel thing would be nice, but like MTV says...that may be too narrow of an opportunity. Not really necessary for me though. Flying a 208 and really flexing my flight planning, instrument, ADM, and time management skills sounds great to me.

Thanks,
59SC

gbflyer wrote:I think you're on the right track. If I were serious, I would really think about an outfit like Ravn as mentioned above with their paid right seat program. I have an acquaintance who is really high up in the Hageland (I believe a subsidiary) maintenance management section and my niece works for them as a mechanic's helper. They buy some new planes, seems like that's a good sign.

My acquaintance says that getting pilots is becoming a real big deal. I think your timing is perfect if that's the route you want to go. Just remember that housing can be difficult, and you could get plopped down into a village after you get your shirt tail cut. That can be a 3rd world county experience, so know that going in and you'll be fine.

Ravn and a couple others are ones I'm really looking at. Have a friend here that has a connection with Ravn. Soon as I finish the instrument and multi I'm going to head up there and knock on doors. Probably do some spring bear hunting too while I'm there

Thanks everybody for the info. 59SC you brought up some good points and kind of in a similar boat as me. All I've done is farm, wildland fire, and some aircraft maintenance in the guard so I'm thinking a change will be good. Even if its in a "third world country with a zipcode." It'll be a fun challenge to learn the culture and blend in. Sides I like more of the utility side of aviation vs the big airlines. Would also like to get into flying helos and be dual rated.

If you're in a Guard unit where you can get some jump seat time, that would be worthwhile. Lots of IMC in helicopters in your area, I would think.