Bush flying
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Bush flying
Hi i would like to get into bush flying and have a few queries.
Thanks,
FS.
- Is a full frozen ATPL necessary/beneficial?
- Can somebody tell me a little bit about the lifestyle/flying/experiences
- What current organizations recruit such pilots and how do i go about getting in touch? (I would imagine a fair amount are small companies)
- What experience is recommended?
Thanks,
FS.
Last edited by Felix Saddler; 1st Jul 2008 at 16:22.
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Bush Flying
- Financially will I be able to pay off a loan debt of 15k?
- Can somebody tell me a little bit about the lifestyle/flying/experiences
- I know of few organisations currently can someone point me in the right direction?
- What experience is neccessary?
- Is there a high demand for such pilots??
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Hi Felix,
I read a book at the beggining of this year about a pilot who did bush flying the whole of his life.
Granted, it dates back to the 70's but holds very much the same experience, lifestyle, regulations as in place these days.
It is a great book and i reccomend reading it. It gives you the best insight into that type of flying.
The book is Bush Flying: Romance of the North. By Robert S. Grant.
I dont know where you plan on bush flying. typical examples that spring to mind would be Canada primarily, Africa, Outback Australia, S America.
Goodluck on the search.
P.s I'd recommend as mentioned contacting tour operaters, Remote industrial companys i.e miners, Loggers, Wildlife outposts. they can put you in touch with the charter companys they use for transport.
Cheers
I read a book at the beggining of this year about a pilot who did bush flying the whole of his life.
Granted, it dates back to the 70's but holds very much the same experience, lifestyle, regulations as in place these days.
It is a great book and i reccomend reading it. It gives you the best insight into that type of flying.
The book is Bush Flying: Romance of the North. By Robert S. Grant.
I dont know where you plan on bush flying. typical examples that spring to mind would be Canada primarily, Africa, Outback Australia, S America.
Goodluck on the search.
P.s I'd recommend as mentioned contacting tour operaters, Remote industrial companys i.e miners, Loggers, Wildlife outposts. they can put you in touch with the charter companys they use for transport.
Cheers
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Thanks for the read i'll have to invest.. At the moment i'm considering how best to go about my training as i'm financial viable to start.
I want to spend a large majority of my life in the bush be it africa, cananda, outback, maldives etc.. All very exotic places, I just have very little knowledge of how to go about it and whether it's a realistic goal.
I want to spend a large majority of my life in the bush be it africa, cananda, outback, maldives etc.. All very exotic places, I just have very little knowledge of how to go about it and whether it's a realistic goal.
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Hi Felix,
Well, Ive spoken to a lot of people, mainly in canada about this part f aviation.
You'll be pleased to know that there are actually quite a few positions available in this area.
It isn't a high paid job as aviation goes. You'd typically look at being paid somewhere around £20,000 - £30,000 a year.
Back country locations such as africa, canada, south america use primarily if not only in some cases light aircraft to transport people and supplys so the demand for pilots can be quite high and it is in a lot of areas.
Due to the relatively low wage, it also is avoided by a large number of pilots as they want to stick to the high paid jobs to get the best comeback for all their financially expensive training and licences.
This, means that it isn't quite as difficult as you might think to get into.
If bthis is the only type of flying you want to do and can stick to a relatively low pay you may want to consider this route of modular training;
PPL - CPL/IR then maybe consider getting Instructor rating so you can build your hours up as you probably wont have enough hrs to get in with a charter company yet. this is what ive been advised to do and it makes sense to me.
Im not pretending to be an authority on this as im only just doing my ppl but like you im determined to take this route.
Do you have PPL?
Interested to hear thoughts and opinions back Felix, its nice to consult with somebody with the same career aspirations!
JohnGV
Well, Ive spoken to a lot of people, mainly in canada about this part f aviation.
You'll be pleased to know that there are actually quite a few positions available in this area.
It isn't a high paid job as aviation goes. You'd typically look at being paid somewhere around £20,000 - £30,000 a year.
Back country locations such as africa, canada, south america use primarily if not only in some cases light aircraft to transport people and supplys so the demand for pilots can be quite high and it is in a lot of areas.
Due to the relatively low wage, it also is avoided by a large number of pilots as they want to stick to the high paid jobs to get the best comeback for all their financially expensive training and licences.
This, means that it isn't quite as difficult as you might think to get into.
If bthis is the only type of flying you want to do and can stick to a relatively low pay you may want to consider this route of modular training;
PPL - CPL/IR then maybe consider getting Instructor rating so you can build your hours up as you probably wont have enough hrs to get in with a charter company yet. this is what ive been advised to do and it makes sense to me.
Im not pretending to be an authority on this as im only just doing my ppl but like you im determined to take this route.
Do you have PPL?
Interested to hear thoughts and opinions back Felix, its nice to consult with somebody with the same career aspirations!
JohnGV
Educated Hillbilly
Most Bush operaters in Africa (popular places for ex-pats are Botswana, Zambia) will take you on a Cessna 206 with mininal hours (250 hours CPL/IR).
Most of these countries will accept almost any ICAO license (FAA, JAA, South African), the conversion will normally involve sitting the local air law exam and a flight test.
In theory as the 206 in single engined then you may be able to get work with just a single engine CPL; but in order to progress to the twins it will be worth having a ME/IR. Typically in Africa it is usual to do a season on the 206 then the following season move on to a Caravan or Islander for example.
To get jobs in Africa you normally have to go there in person and present yourself at the start of the season, which is normally around the March and April time. Felix you won't find many on-line application forms for these companies.
Money obvioulsy isn't that great in Africa but enough to be comfortable in the local area. Typically these jobs are hour building jobs rather than long term career prospects and most will return to the UK/Europe/NZ, AUS or US after a year or two of bush flying.
As you don't need the JAA license it may be worth doing a cheaper FAA or South African license to find bush work. This can then be converted to a JAA at a later date if you return to the UK.
There is a pilot shortage in Zambia at this moment.
Most of these countries will accept almost any ICAO license (FAA, JAA, South African), the conversion will normally involve sitting the local air law exam and a flight test.
In theory as the 206 in single engined then you may be able to get work with just a single engine CPL; but in order to progress to the twins it will be worth having a ME/IR. Typically in Africa it is usual to do a season on the 206 then the following season move on to a Caravan or Islander for example.
To get jobs in Africa you normally have to go there in person and present yourself at the start of the season, which is normally around the March and April time. Felix you won't find many on-line application forms for these companies.
Money obvioulsy isn't that great in Africa but enough to be comfortable in the local area. Typically these jobs are hour building jobs rather than long term career prospects and most will return to the UK/Europe/NZ, AUS or US after a year or two of bush flying.
As you don't need the JAA license it may be worth doing a cheaper FAA or South African license to find bush work. This can then be converted to a JAA at a later date if you return to the UK.
There is a pilot shortage in Zambia at this moment.
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Well, im doinf my PPl in Canada vancouver island, havent thought bout the next locations for the rest yet. ill think more once io have PPL. Im thinkin probs back to uk for CPL etc - it seems its more internationally recognised.
So nay thoghts on where your doin CPL yet? have u got the funds 4 it yet bud>??
So nay thoghts on where your doin CPL yet? have u got the funds 4 it yet bud>??
PPRuNe Handmaiden
G'day Felix,
I did bush flying (well, a version of it) for a few years in Australia. (Australian citizen - as well as British - with an Australian CPL etc). Amazing experience and it is useful time. During my command upgrade on a jet, I did use that experience to effect good outcomes.
You won't regret it so long as you maintain good discipline and standards.
To search for suitable operators in Africa, look up scenic flights over waterfalls etc. That's a safe start. That'll give you an insight into Africa flying and whether or not you want to continue.
Always keep an eye on the future. ie, twin time, turbine time, instrument time etc. Be prepared to walk away from a bad deal. Better to be broke than dead.
Your log book will become a diary. A diary filled with incredible memories and experiences. You've got the rest of your life to sit in a jet with the autopilot on.
I did bush flying (well, a version of it) for a few years in Australia. (Australian citizen - as well as British - with an Australian CPL etc). Amazing experience and it is useful time. During my command upgrade on a jet, I did use that experience to effect good outcomes.
You won't regret it so long as you maintain good discipline and standards.
To search for suitable operators in Africa, look up scenic flights over waterfalls etc. That's a safe start. That'll give you an insight into Africa flying and whether or not you want to continue.
Always keep an eye on the future. ie, twin time, turbine time, instrument time etc. Be prepared to walk away from a bad deal. Better to be broke than dead.
Your log book will become a diary. A diary filled with incredible memories and experiences. You've got the rest of your life to sit in a jet with the autopilot on.
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Most people i know who've done it had a great time...just be aware (and i can only speak for Northern Canada) that there are good companies and bad companies. Some will be great fun, others will be pushing you to fly in marginal weather, in overloaded aircraft that are poorly maintained (or with the pilot doing a lot of the maintainence work). And of course, Canada being Canada, lots of small charter outfits going bankrupt as soon as you've started with them! It's certainly not as cosy as getting your frozen ATPL and going into a jet, but you'll be an experienced pilot with great PDM skills, and hopefully lots of memorable flying hours!
