How to Become an Alaska Bush Pilot

How to Become an Alaska Bush Pilot: 5 Steps (with Pictures)/**/var WH = WH || {};WH.lang = WH.lang || {};button_swap = button_unswap = function(){};WH.exitTimerStartTime = (new Date()).getTime();WH.mergeLang = function(A){for(i in A){v=A[i];if(typeof v==='string'){WH.lang[i]=v;}}}; Sign Up or Log In or Log In via

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HomeArticlesCommunityMy Profile WH.translationData = {};WH.mergeLang({'navlist_collapse': '- collapse','navlist_expand': '+ expand'});EditHome » Categories » Work World » Occupations » Transport Careers » Aviation CareersHow to Become an Alaska Bush PilotEdited by Maluniu, Jack Herrick, Jenna, Rosejuice and 5 others

Pin ItArticle EditDiscussBush pilots operate aircraft in very remote, inaccessible areas of the world. Common tasks for bush pilots include delivering mail and other supplies, providing taxi services, and carrying out search and rescue missions. Alaskan-based bush pilots operate principally in the Alaskan tundra, as aircraft often provide the only viable means of transportation and delivery in the region's harsh conditions. Being an Alaska bush pilot is an exciting, albeit sometimes dangerous career, that will give you the opportunity to fly throughout the Alaskan wilderness.

Edit Steps

Licenses and Training1Obtain the necessary licenses. To fly as a bush pilot, you will need at least two licenses granted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): a private pilot license and a commercial pilot license. You can obtain these licenses by attending an FAA-certified flight school and taking the required tests at the completion of your course.

A private pilot license allows you to legally operate an aircraft for private use, meaning that you cannot charge money for your service. This is the most basic certification for flying a plane, and can be achieved in under a year if you attend flight school full-time.A commercial pilot license allows you to legally be paid for services rendered with the use of your aircraft. You must have a private pilot license first to obtain this certification, and a commercial license is necessary to become a paid bush pilot.A third permit which may be necessary is an air transport pilot license. This permit allows you to ferry passengers in your aircraft, which is a service often performed by Alaska bush pilots.2Attend a flight school course in bush flying. Once you have the necessary licenses to begin working as a commercial pilot, you will need to attend an additional course specifically designed to train bush pilots.

These courses are offered by several flight schools in the United States. They are designed to teach skills specific to flying in adverse conditions, such as: Taking off and landing without an airstrip, flying in low-visibility conditions, and taking off and landing on water. Each of these skills are essential for bush pilots.There is no FAA-administered certification that specifically targets 'bush' flying. However, before working as a bush pilot in Alaska, employers, airfield administrators, and customers will want you to have bush-specific training.

Getting a Job as a Bush Pilot in Alaska1Begin contacting potential employers about being a bush pilot. You will not be able to begin flying as an independent contractor unless you already have a vast network of potential customers. Therefore, your career as a bush pilot begins with employment at one of a number of different types of companies:

There are several types of companies that hire trained bush pilots. Some act as mail carriers; some as ferry passengers to remote resorts and hunting grounds; and some deliver supplies and medical needs to remote areas. These companies usually maintain a staff of several trained pilots so that at least one pilot can be available to meet any customer's needs.2Try looking for general work. Since bush pilot jobs are very limited, you may need to "get your foot in the door" with one of these companies by accepting non-pilot employment. Working with the company in a non-pilot capacity for a while will make you a more attractive candidate when a pilot job does become available.

3Build your network of customers and business contacts. Once you begin flying as a bush pilot, establish relationships with customers, suppliers, potential employers, and other business contacts. Establishing a solid network will improve your chances of finding work as a bush pilot if demand contracts, as the work tends to be both seasonal and subject to economic fluctuations. These relationships may also allow you to one day fly as an independent contractor.

Edit TipsIn addition to Alaska, bush pilots operate primarily in Canada, southern Africa, and central Australia. Securing a job in one of these locales will improve your chances of later finding work as an Alaska bush pilot.

Edit Sources and Citationshttp://matadornetwork.com/notebook/how-to-become-a-bush-pilot/ – research sourcehttp://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/ – research sourcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_flying – research sourceArticle Info Featured Article

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