Flying in Alaska?

DoWhat? · May 19th, 2007, 15:05

I may have a job opportunity in Alaska starting next month. The job starts in a C-207 VFR then you work into a C-208. I was wondering if anyone had any experience flying up there.

newty · May 19th, 2007, 21:26

where is the job located and flying for who? There are a few shady outfits up there to avoid but on the whole there are alot of great operators. I flew in Bethel for hageland aviation. Ask any questions you like and Ill answer what I can. Feel free to pm me.

DoWhat? · May 19th, 2007, 21:55

The company is Grant and I would start out in Bethel. How long did you fly out of Bethel? Did you enjoy it? I know Bethel is tiny, is there anything to do to stay occupied?

newty · May 20th, 2007, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoWhat?

The company is Grant and I would start out in Bethel. How long did you fly out of Bethel? Did you enjoy it? I know Bethel is tiny, is there anything to do to stay occupied?

Do what. I was in bethel for 4 months this time last year. grant s hangar was right next to us and the grant chief called me in for an interview while I was there. Grant will work you 21 days on with 10 off. Hagelands worked us 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. I made more in two weeks flying thhe sled(207) than the grand caravan pilots made flying 21 days a month. Point is that Hagelands would be better to work for but they almost never hire form outside of alaska. Everyone likes idfferent things and I know some people love bethel. For me it was one of the worst places I have lived on this earth. Population is about 3000. no roads in or out, nothing to do to occupy your time unless you have a boat in the 4 months the river is thawed. It is flat. I see you are in SLC and it will be a huge change. You can fly west out of bethel for 150 mile at about 25 feet AGL and never hit a thing. The weather is typically crappy annd none of thee 207s are ifr althought you will fly alot of ""Pretend" VFR. All in all I reallly loved the flying part. It was fairly challenging work and you will haul all kinds of stuff, Natives, dead seals, fish, 1200lbs of clorox beach, criminals in handcuffs and parole breakers. little kids with huge cuts trying to get to the hospital in bethel. The flying is great, its after you land and you are stuck in bethel with jack crap to do that it starts to suck. Food is expensive. Milk is about 7..50 a gallon but if it is going to expire in the next day they drop the price to 3.50. I orders a pizza from brothers pizza once and it came to 42.00. The commute up and back from slc is no good either. let me know if there is anything else I can tell you or any way I can help. I am trying not to be too negative as you may actually love it there. I just could not move my family there. My wife is one hell of a trooper but even she would have lost her mind in BetHELL.

av8rmsu · May 20th, 2007, 19:13

I lived and flew out in bethel for a year. I actually liked it. it was hard work and the flying was great. the fishing and hunting is some of the best in alaska.

people either love bethel or they hate it (i'll let you guess which one newty fits into).

Fire away with the questions....pm me if you want.

newty · May 20th, 2007, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by av8rmsu

people either love bethel or they hate it (i'll let you guess which one newty fits into).

Should not be to hard to figure out. I just can't handle not being able to go anywhere. That and I really like to kayak, whitewater kayak that is and whitewater only happens where ther is gradient(read Mountains) and therre ain't no mtns in Bethel. But as i said at the first of my post there are some people who love bethel

Pilatapus · May 21st, 2007, 18:24

I was fortunate enough to get on with a company in Fairbanks, but I had a friend go out to Bethel. He did a lot of flying there. Many of the flights were very short, take off then fly 5 minutes and you are on a base leg for the next village. Also flew out a small town south of ANC for a summer. Fun times and good experiences as well as some not so good experiences. Maybe check out Nome. It may be a little late, but have you checked out Moab? Redtail and Slickrock Air have CE 206/207/182's. A little closer to home and not so cold. Fun flying down there. Used to get 100 hrs. a month.

newty · May 21st, 2007, 19:27

hey pilatapus any idea what redtail or slickrock pay? I've thought about going down there.

newty · May 21st, 2007, 19:28

DoWhat? I keep forgetting to tell you to check out Alaska flight operations - scenic - cargo - scheduled - aircraft charters and rentals - flyout fishing - flyout hunting - flight training - flight schools - flight instruction and float ratings
flying jobs - air tours - alaska scenic flights, ala It has alot of good info

sefro · May 21st, 2007, 19:34

flying in Alaska is something that I would definately like to do but maybe I will look at places like Idaho that might be fun.

newty · May 21st, 2007, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by sefro

flying in Alaska is something that I would definately like to do but maybe I will look at places like Idaho that might be fun.

I'm flying in Idaho now and there is definitly alot of beautiful country here, not quite as cold as AK either

sefro · May 21st, 2007, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by newty

I'm flying in Idaho now and there is definitly alot of beautiful country here, not quite as cold as AK either

Who are you flying for?

DoWhat? · May 21st, 2007, 20:08

Thanks all for the replies! Sounds like their are some pros and cons that should really be considered. I have looked at some of the outfits in southern Utah and Nevada, I just have this lingering desire to fly in Alaska while I have the chance.

newty · May 21st, 2007, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by sefro

Who are you flying for?

Salmon Air

RynoB · May 21st, 2007, 20:22

I've wanted to fly in Alaska ever since I started flying back in '96. I got into corporate flying, but I may get the chance in the next few years to move to Fairbanks. It all depends on my wife's job. She interviewed with a company that has some corporate offices there. If hired, she will start in Wichita, KS and try to transfer later.

Pilatapus · May 21st, 2007, 20:38

newty, Redtail was paying $1200 mo. almost 10 yrs. ago. That was approx. April through Sept. working 6 days a week and usually 12-14 hr. days. That was the old owners. Don't know how much has changed. I would have rather worked for Slickrock be he was a one man show back then.

DoWhat?, I hope you get to AK. It was an experience that I wouldn't want to trade. You may have to go out to the bush to get that all important "Alaska Time" but that should help to open doors in the bigger towns if thats what you want. Remember if you are staying for at least a year, get a AK drivers license and save receipts etc. to prove residency so you can get your Permanent Fund check. Good luck.

aloft · May 21st, 2007, 23:33

This is the first I've heard of Redtail or Slickrock Air, and I'm a Utah native! More details, por favor.....mins, etc???

sefro · May 22nd, 2007, 00:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by newty

Salmon Air

I would love to fly for them some time. How hard is it to get on there?

newty · May 22nd, 2007, 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by aloft

This is the first I've heard of Redtail or Slickrock Air, and I'm a Utah native! More details, por favor.....mins, etc???

They are both in moab. They fly scenic tours and we used them for shuttling clients to and from river trips when I was guiding. I took a resume to redtail a few years ago and theey wanted 1500tt. The new owner called me about5 months ago to fly a 210 on a bank run from SLC to Grandjunction. He had not determined what he would pay and so I stuck with the chieftain gig. I think I still have some contact numbers somewhere.

JayAre · May 22nd, 2007, 01:48

Aloft I thought I saw them posting on Climbto350 looking for around 600tt for the 206/207 all VFR of course. Sounds like a fun gig to hang with river rats and be a bum at moab for a summer.

newty · May 22nd, 2007, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by sefro

I would love to fly for them some time. How hard is it to get on there?

Not to hard if you have 135 ifr mins

Pilatapus · May 22nd, 2007, 16:58

Try Slickrock Air Guides: Moab, Utah, air shuttles for Desolation and Cataract canyon river trips, flighteeing tours. Owner is a good guy. He actually flew up in Alaska a few years back. Used to fly for Redtail long time ago. Both Redtail and Slickrock fly air tours and river rafters into and out of backcountry strips. Similar operation as Salmon Air in Idaho. I think Redtail still does the fueling at KCNY, so they may still occasionally use pilots for that. Maybe good networking possibilities with more rich folks going to Moab.

Buzo · May 24th, 2007, 13:42

I instructed at Elmedorf for about 6 months, which gave me the Alaska experience needed to get on with Hageland. I flew the 1900 out of Anchorage for about 9 months. It was an awesome experience and some of the best flying I have ever done.

Being based in Anchorage was nice, we did 7 on 7 off and I was able to commute to Seattle. If you have the chance to fly in Alaska, you should.

May 19th, 2007, 15:05	#1
DoWhat? Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah. Posts: 80	Flying in Alaska? I may have a job opportunity in Alaska starting next month. The job starts in a C-207 VFR then you work into a C-208. I was wondering if anyone had any experience flying up there. __________________ You shut your mouth when you're talking to me!!

May 19th, 2007, 21:26	#2
newty Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: mapleton utah Posts: 209	Re: Flying in Alaska? where is the job located and flying for who? There are a few shady outfits up there to avoid but on the whole there are alot of great operators. I flew in Bethel for hageland aviation. Ask any questions you like and Ill answer what I can. Feel free to pm me. __________________ "Once he told me why, he said we all have to fly someday." neil young

May 19th, 2007, 21:55	#3
DoWhat? Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah. Posts: 80	Re: Flying in Alaska? The company is Grant and I would start out in Bethel. How long did you fly out of Bethel? Did you enjoy it? I know Bethel is tiny, is there anything to do to stay occupied? __________________ You shut your mouth when you're talking to me!!

May 20th, 2007, 19:13	#5
av8rmsu Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pickwick Lake Posts: 448	Re: Flying in Alaska? I lived and flew out in bethel for a year. I actually liked it. it was hard work and the flying was great. the fishing and hunting is some of the best in alaska. people either love bethel or they hate it (i'll let you guess which one newty fits into). Fire away with the questions....pm me if you want.

May 21st, 2007, 18:24	#7
Pilatapus Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 64	Re: Flying in Alaska? I was fortunate enough to get on with a company in Fairbanks, but I had a friend go out to Bethel. He did a lot of flying there. Many of the flights were very short, take off then fly 5 minutes and you are on a base leg for the next village. Also flew out a small town south of ANC for a summer. Fun times and good experiences as well as some not so good experiences. Maybe check out Nome. It may be a little late, but have you checked out Moab? Redtail and Slickrock Air have CE 206/207/182's. A little closer to home and not so cold. Fun flying down there. Used to get 100 hrs. a month.

May 21st, 2007, 19:27	#8
newty Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: mapleton utah Posts: 209	Re: Flying in Alaska? hey pilatapus any idea what redtail or slickrock pay? I've thought about going down there. __________________ "Once he told me why, he said we all have to fly someday." neil young

May 21st, 2007, 19:28	#9
newty Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: mapleton utah Posts: 209	Re: Flying in Alaska? DoWhat? I keep forgetting to tell you to check out Alaska flight operations - scenic - cargo - scheduled - aircraft charters and rentals - flyout fishing - flyout hunting - flight training - flight schools - flight instruction and float ratings flying jobs - air tours - alaska scenic flights, ala It has alot of good info __________________ "Once he told me why, he said we all have to fly someday." neil young

May 21st, 2007, 19:34	#10
sefro Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KHIO Posts: 171	Re: Flying in Alaska? flying in Alaska is something that I would definately like to do but maybe I will look at places like Idaho that might be fun. __________________ We are surrounded by many, many stupid people. Which is fortunate, as it makes being smart, easier.

May 21st, 2007, 20:08	#13
DoWhat? Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah. Posts: 80	Re: Flying in Alaska? Thanks all for the replies! Sounds like their are some pros and cons that should really be considered. I have looked at some of the outfits in southern Utah and Nevada, I just have this lingering desire to fly in Alaska while I have the chance. __________________ You shut your mouth when you're talking to me!!

May 21st, 2007, 20:22	#15
RynoB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Bixby, OK Posts: 645	Re: Flying in Alaska? I've wanted to fly in Alaska ever since I started flying back in '96. I got into corporate flying, but I may get the chance in the next few years to move to Fairbanks. It all depends on my wife's job. She interviewed with a company that has some corporate offices there. If hired, she will start in Wichita, KS and try to transfer later. __________________ Ryan ATP (CE525, CE510, BE-300), SIC BE-400, CFI, CFII, MEI, IGI States I've landed in:

May 21st, 2007, 20:38	#16
Pilatapus Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 64	Re: Flying in Alaska? newty, Redtail was paying $1200 mo. almost 10 yrs. ago. That was approx. April through Sept. working 6 days a week and usually 12-14 hr. days. That was the old owners. Don't know how much has changed. I would have rather worked for Slickrock be he was a one man show back then. DoWhat?, I hope you get to AK. It was an experience that I wouldn't want to trade. You may have to go out to the bush to get that all important "Alaska Time" but that should help to open doors in the bigger towns if thats what you want. Remember if you are staying for at least a year, get a AK drivers license and save receipts etc. to prove residency so you can get your Permanent Fund check. Good luck.

May 21st, 2007, 23:33	#17
aloft Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Inside your OODA loop Posts: 7,149	Re: Flying in Alaska? This is the first I've heard of Redtail or Slickrock Air, and I'm a Utah native! More details, por favor.....mins, etc??? __________________ ________\|________ -------(o)- ------° ° °

May 22nd, 2007, 01:48	#20
JayAre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Multiple Posts: 1,043	Re: Flying in Alaska? Aloft I thought I saw them posting on Climbto350 looking for around 600tt for the 206/207 all VFR of course. Sounds like a fun gig to hang with river rats and be a bum at moab for a summer. __________________ Im voting for "That one"

May 22nd, 2007, 16:58	#22
Pilatapus Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 64	Re: Flying in Alaska? Try Slickrock Air Guides: Moab, Utah, air shuttles for Desolation and Cataract canyon river trips, flighteeing tours. Owner is a good guy. He actually flew up in Alaska a few years back. Used to fly for Redtail long time ago. Both Redtail and Slickrock fly air tours and river rafters into and out of backcountry strips. Similar operation as Salmon Air in Idaho. I think Redtail still does the fueling at KCNY, so they may still occasionally use pilots for that. Maybe good networking possibilities with more rich folks going to Moab.

May 24th, 2007, 13:42	#23
Buzo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 273	Re: Flying in Alaska? I instructed at Elmedorf for about 6 months, which gave me the Alaska experience needed to get on with Hageland. I flew the 1900 out of Anchorage for about 9 months. It was an awesome experience and some of the best flying I have ever done. Being based in Anchorage was nice, we did 7 on 7 off and I was able to commute to Seattle. If you have the chance to fly in Alaska, you should.

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