Bush pilot or airline pilot
 

I've recently finished my frozen ATPL and I'm in the holding pool for Buzz, however I'm having second thoughts.

I just finished reading the book Papa Kilo, and now I'm thinking about applying to Susiair instead. It seems like more fun!

I'm 23, and have no ties. Would I be an idiot for turning down an airline job to become a bush pilot instead?

Where do you want to end up?
Bush flying is a lot of fun but much more demanding and riskier than airline ops. The overall experience is fantastic but generally, no one really cares in the UK.
At 23, you have time to go and explore the bush environment for a couple of years.
I never flew in Indonesia/PNG, I did my bush flying in the Kimberley region of Australia.

SusiAir: The flying is great... the other pilots are mostly great guys and girls... the pay is pretty **** until you hit Captain (then it's just kinda ****)... the management are incompetent.

Still... it's not a bad lark for a 20-something single guy... If I had to do it over again, I probably would. The hours/experience (and a few "stories") that I got out of it, got me my current gig. Just go with really low expectations and you'll not be disappointed :}

When I was 27 I left an airline job to fly for humanitarian flight operations in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iraq. It was the best choice of my life. Totally changed my perspective on the world. I did it for 4 years.

I highly recommend taking those opportunities. They give you way more decision-making experience and if you ever leave aviation, it makes for an incredible difference in your resume compared to anyone else.

Strongly recommend going for it.

Thanks for all the replies! Yeah I think I'm going to apply to Susi air and see what happens. Airlines I can always do later.

I'm actually quite enthusiastic about Susi air after reading the book. Even if some of the stories are a bit messed up lol.

Thanks again 😁😁