Moving for snow and airplanes (Anchorage, Fairbanks: renting, find a job, college)

[greydog]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here and need advice!

I want to move to Alaska. I'm thinking Healy, Fairbanks, Bethel or Salcha areas. Right now Bethel is #1 and Healy is #2. I've been to Juneau in the summer and Healy, Fairbanks and Circle in February--loved them all.

I'm currently a college student in Wisconsin. I'm looking out the window and it's 40 deg. F! My huskies haven't been hooked up to a sled once this winter, and it's got us all depressed.

I NEED to move once I graduate! I need cold and snow!

I'm a Conservation-Resource Management student and my husband is a professional computer geek. We only have three dogs at the moment, so I won't be moving a kennel's worth of dogs.

I want to move someplace where I can run dogs and have a kennel (preferably 8-20 dogs). My husband is a pilot, he has his instrument/commercial/multi-engine licenses but has fairly low hours (I think around 700)--he would LOVE to move where he could get a job where he can fly (or fly cheaper than here (renting a Cessna 172 is over $100/hr here)).

I'm looking for ANY and ALL advice. What would my husband need to do to get a "flying" job? Where would be the best place for us to go where I can have my dogs and my husband can fly?

Thanks much!

[sunsprit]

Aviation is an essential aspect of Alaska life, as you've probably seen. There's days when it's one of the most beautiful places to fly, too.

Your husband will need to start in with some back country and "bush pilot" training, which is a far different environment and skill set than the lower 48 demands.

My friends who have flown 206's, 207's, and 180/185's professionally up there all had thousands of back country hours in less challenging places before being qualified to fly left seat in Alaska.

I'd suggest your husband send his resume to the operators and FBO's up there and see what their response is.

If you're seriously looking for a less expensive place to fly (or eat, for that matter) ... Alaska isn't it.

My flying friends reported that without the tips from sightseers they couldn't afford to move out of their tent into an old 8'x22' travel trailer. Indoor plumbing was not even part of the package, but they were sure happy to have a pot to pee into and a window to throw it out of when the bears were around.

[greydog]

Well, I guess I didnt really expect flying to be cheaper there than here--from what I can tell, the midwest has fairly reasonably priced fuel compared to lots of other places.

Weve also talked about moving to Idaho and Montana. It just seems to me that he will be able to fly more (for fun or work) in AK than MT or ID.

[Lanesuzza]

www.flyalaska.com has a huge data base of operators where your husband could find a job. especially during the April through September season. I found my first Alaska flying job through this website

Good Luck

[greydog]

Hey, thanks a lot both of you.

By the way, maybe I should start a new post but...

I've been recommended Nome and Kotzebue over Bethel (but Bethel was more highly recommended than Healy) for both of our interests. I've never been to any of those three places--how do they compare to each other? Pros and cons for any?

Thanks much.

[JavaPhil]

Bethel, UGGGH!! Nasty looking place. Truly the armpit of Alaska, nice folks, but that's a given in this state. Healy is beautiful. Nome's alright, so is Kotz. Better sledding up there, but winter's long. Salcha is past North Pole heading to Delta from Fairbanks, and is pretty popular with the mushers. Healy is on the road from Anchorage to Fairbanks, and has some of the best Aurora viewing anywhere. Course, you'd have to live in the shadow of Denali, what a drag!
Bethel may have better flying opportunities, but thats all that I see to recommend it.