Bush Flying around Bethel: How old is too old? (Anchorage: school, taxi)

[back2AK]

This would be directed mainly towards wheel pilots flying 207s and other single engines. Does anyone know of regular full time sticks who happen to be in their sixties?

[warptman]

There is a older pilot flying a 207 here, he is in his late 50's or early 60's. He's been flying out in this area for years, commercially. You do need a lot of Alaska flying time to get hired by them.

Here are the local airlines that have C207's in their fleet.

Hageland Aviation Services - Passenger and Cargo Service to rural Alaska - Aircraft Charter Service in Anchorage

Alaska Charter Flights - Alaska Air Taxi - Grant Aviation

Yute Air

[warptman]

Yute: FAA minimums include Second Class Medical Certificate, Commercial Certificate or ATP, and 500 hr Total Time, 100 hours cross country time, at least 25 hours cross country must be at night.
Yute Air preferred minimums include Second Class Medical or better, 1200 hr Total Time, ATP, and Alaska Part 135 Experience.
Yute Air provides housing in Bethel and transportation to/from company housing and the airport. Pilots are paid per flight hour with a daily guarantee; starting wage based on experience.

Grant:Applicants must be motivated and have a minimum of:

• 1,500 hours of total time
• 250 hours of Alaska time or equivalent
• 500 multi-engine hours (PIC Navajo)

Hageland/ERA Alaska: Pilot in Command (PIC) - Single engine land (SEL)


1500 Hrs. Total Time
50 Hrs Alaska Time
Certificate - Commercial / Instrument
Second Class Medical

[back2AK]

Thanks for the good info warptman. I'll look into it.

[starlite9]

A friend of mine use to own Yute Air, when it was based out of Dillingham at the time, sold it years ago and he is in his sixties now and still flies commercial with his 206 on wheel floats and twins, sometimes he will put the wheels on for winter flying.

For a number of years he ran an aviation school out of Bethel, Warp may even know him.

[warptman]

I know him! He's still flying up there in the Fairbanks area.

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by warptman

I know him! He's still flying up there in the Fairbanks area.

Yep, I see him about once a week or so. He flies a lot of tourist out of Chena Hot Springs up to see the Yukon River and some of the towns. He got into selling Hughesnet Satellite Internet systems and I install them now and then for him when I have the time.

Known him for 20+ years, very nice guy!