just out of curiosity, that im posting this.
I currently fly a PC12 not really in the back country, although it can easily handle it. However I am hoping to one day be able to fly in alaska for a living or at least a summer job. My question is...what are the first steps into becomming an alaska pilot? Hours aren't a problem for me but I have heard the whole 3 year experience thing come up a few times....how would you get that? and does anyone know of any compaines that hire pilots outside of alaska? anyway just thought ide ask. thanks -Josh

There's a couple companies up there that will hire guys with no Alaska time. I haven't heard of the "3 years" rule. L.A.B. Flying, out of Juneau, is hiring for the summer. Pay's not great, I think it's $1500/month + housing - but I hear they fly you until your ears bleed....
My former boss used to fly for K2 in Talkeetna, and he told me that usually one summer up there will give you enough "Alaska" time to work for most Alaskan companies. I think the hardest, and perhaps the most dangerous season one would have flying in Alaska would be the first.
Another option might be flying the Idaho backcountry (that's what I do, largest wilderness area in the contiguous US). There are a couple companies based in Salmon, Boise, McCall, and further north that all service the backcountry. The plus side being you're a lot closer to home and famlies here in the lower '48. I don't know for sure, but I would guess many Alaskan bush companies would look favorably on that time as well.
Hope that helps. Funny, the grass is always greener huh, I'd happily spend some time in a PC12....

I think if you do an advanced job search in the anchorage daily news you may be surprised at the opportunities sometimes available.
Good luck and go for it,

TU

hey guys thanks for your replies, Its been an itch for the past few years to get up there do some real flying...flying in New england doesn't give you many opportunities to really test your skills...none the less I think next spring ill start looking at my options and might go to alaska for the summer...thanks again guys and looking foward to talking to more of yah.

pittspilot28 wrote:just out of curiosity,... I am hoping to one day be able to fly in alaska for a living....how would you get that?...thanks -Josh

I met a fellow who flew floats for an outfit out of Telegraph Creek, BC, north-east of Wrangle, AK, on the Stickeen River. He pointed to lakes on the chart, smaller than a pencil eraser, that he gets in & out of! You'd need a Canadian work visa, but, that's details.
Go for it! And have the best time of your life!

Let us all know how it works out for you, too, eh? Enjoy, Berk

I have a friend who came to Ketchikan with a commercial license, a float rating, and zero Alaska time....and spent a season working on the docks gassing, loading, etc... He got a little time in that summer with the chief pilot and the next season he was flying. Now he has over 7000 hours on floats in Alaska.
Most ads that I see in the Anchorage Daily News are looking for Alaska time (between a 100 and 500 hours). I suspect that you could get on with one of the outfits in Bethel or other western Alaska hub with zero Alaska time and spend some time flying 206s to village strips. You'd get some good stories and some good experience (I guarantee you would get real good with crosswinds in the 20 to 30 knot range).
Keep your eye on the Anchorage Daily News classified. Read both the "Aviation" in the employment section and "Airplanes" in the vehicle section. When you see an ad for a job call the chief pilot for that outfit and ask them what they are looking for. If they want Alaska time, ask them how they suggest you get it....You will stand out as someone who is genuinely interested and has initiative.

Good luck.

Kenmore Air Harbor in Seattle will need pilots next summer. They do primarily straight float flights, scheduled and charter, to the San Juan Islands and up into Canada. Beavers and Otters. First class organization. They also fly Caravans on wheels from Boeing Field to the San Juans too.

You would need some 500 hours I would guess of float time, but it is one of the only places that those in Alaska consider as equivalent time to their own.

They often have folks start as flight instructors for a year but it varies.

thanks again for all your replies...this summer im gonna crank out some float time I hope and we'll get started....ill have to make my rounds sending applications. thanks again guys!

Kenmore would be a great place to fly - it's on my list of "would work there if I could." Coming up with 500 hours of float time might be a little difficult. Freestone - do you know if they fly year-round? Or is it mostly seasonal?

Kenmore flys year round, but they are more active in summer, for obvious reasons.

MTV

Figure out where and what kind of flying you want to do, buy a plane ticket and make the rounds talking to your potential employers, other pilots, mechanics, office help etc. Gives a lot better impression while allowing you to gain some insight on the different companies in that area.

If you aren't hired on the spot, don't be afraid to make follow up calls when you get home. Tell them how impressed you were with their operation and how you look forward to having a chance to fly for them.

When a slot opens they'll remember a friendly face and handshake versus an application in an endless stack.

just to let everyone here know...
i am headed to alaska (in 2 days) to start as an A&P for K2 in talkeetna.
i am driving up the al-can with my tool box in tow.
but i have to leave my maule behind
anbody visiting the area, come say hi at the K2 hanger.
i'm sure i'll post some pics up later...


ryan~

Supercubber; good advice...thank you...perhaps this summer Ill make some trips around the area....if anything it will be a nice vacation. and as for the guy (sorry I forgot the name there) whose going to K2 theres a guide up there named Todd....tell him I said hi....he lives in Talkeetna and flies with K2...adios

Ryan, do you need someone to fly your Maule to Alaksa for you? I've got some free time on my hands until the season really picks up here. My old boss used to work for K2, said it was a great outfit to work for. He flew and wrenched, and said he put in a LOT of hours in the summer doing both.

Ryan,

Say howdy to Randy Kilbourn, the Chief Pilot for K-2. He's a good guy, and an aviation junkie as well.

MTV

What ever happened to Kitty Banner? Her last name was shortened from something longer of which I don't recall. Pretty gal.

Met her right after she and a partner bought K2 in the early nineties. Heard she sold it a little later and came back to the lower 48, after that she just kind of disappeared from the aviation scene.

With Kenmore, depending upon prior experience, they sometimes start folks at the docks for a season, then flight instructor, and then move them onto the line - starting with the Beavers. Flight instruction is typically in the PA-18's.

They do fly year round, but the shortage of pilots is in the summer months.

You might talk to them about the flight instruction aspect as well.

Kenmore sounds interesting.. I've heard of them before....not really into the teaching aspect but its worth a try.....although teaching in a PA-18 is a bit different than a 150....

Yeah, and the Supercub is on floats!