Thanks for the thoughts! Did you do flying up there? What were the pros and cons? How many hours per year should I expect? I'm really attracted to the Alaska idea just cause it's different and I'll learn some good skills while flying in that environment.
I lived and flew in Alaska full time for 7 years. Now I just go back most summers, except this summer. My original plan was to spend one year there and move on.
The most I flew in one year was 1200 hours. One summer I flew the max allowed for two quarters, another time I flew 90 straight days over two quarters. I went there with 800 total hours and 25 multi, and left with over 8000 hours and 2700 multi.
The cons of flying in Alaska are many. 14 hour days, loads like 14,000 pounds of canned Pepsi to move to a village 1000 pounds per trip. Short butt freezing days in winter, long mosquito filled summer days. There will be times of 1 mile visibility and you will be glad it is up to one mile, days that start out crystal clear blue skies and one hour later you can't see your hand in front of your face. Station managers that will want you to fly VFR in bare minimum weather, icing conditions in a C-207. Sick passengers, horrible smelling passengers and even worse smelling native foods. And many more....
I originally went to Alaska to stay for one year and it turned into 7. It is more than job, it is a life style, and it can be hard every now and then. I have seen people show up for the first day of ground school and then not show up the next day. Winter is cold. Let me repeat: winter is COLD. You will learn to fly a plane wearing bunny boots, Carhartt insulated coveralls and a parka, with insulated gloves and hat. You will get used to light ice on the wings of the C-207, which carries ice well by the way. Summers are absolutely awesome..!!!
The Eskimo are quiet people. When you first get there they will ask you how long you have been flying. Don't take it personal if some do not fly with you. Remember, these people have more time riding in airplanes than I have hours flying them. But the Eskimo are great people. There is no greater feeling when after a flight someone reaches up, pats you on the shoulder and say "Goot Flight". Or to get passengers to load up and someone says, "Oh, we are glad you are our pilot." The Eskimo love to laugh and will play jokes on you to test you. Respect the elders, and help them on and off the plane.
You will get flight experience that is unique to Alaska. Like flying 500 ft agl patterns. Even some legs may be 500 ft agl with 2 mile visibility. Or 1000 ft agl and 1 mile visibility. You may not start the day that way but it could end up that way. Prepare to be stuck in a village due to weather.
Company housing can be austere to say the least. Shared beds are common, that is when you are on your days off someone else will be sleeping in your bed. I usually found a place to rent and had a roommate that worked opposite of my schedule so we hardly saw each other.
I am missing Alaska as I type this.
Another bush pilot, Davidwhite should be here shortly and give you more insights. All I can suggest is that if you are single and love adventure, GO..!!!
One little warning in case you are married or attached, women either love Alaska or hate Alaska. I have not met any women that said they tolerate it because their husband/boyfriend is here.
(640TT)
maybe I can go fly in Alaska for a while