How Do You Become A Bush Pilot In Alaska?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Be able to read, write, and speak English.
  • Have at least a PPL or higher pilot’s license certificate from the FAA.
  • Have a minimum of 250 hours of flying experience.

What does it take to become a bush pilot in Alaska?

  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Be able to read, write, and speak English.
  • Have at least a PPL or higher pilot’s license certificate from the FAA.
  • Have a minimum of 250 hours of flying experience.

How much is a bush pilot in Alaska?

For putting your life at risk, you won’t make a ton of money. In fact wages for bush pilots vary greatly. The best pay is in Alaska, where an experienced pilot can make $350 a day or

$6,000 a month

. Other less experienced pilots may only pull in around $20,000 a year.

How long does it take to become a bush pilot?

Bush Pilot Training and Requirements

Missionary aviation typically requires a

minimum of 500 hours

of flight experience, commercial and instrument pilot’s certificates, and a high-performance endorsement, as well as an A&P license.

How much does a bush pilot make a year?

The average Bush Pilot in the US makes

$84,788

. The average bonus for a Bush Pilot is $2,277 which represents 3% of their salary, with 100% of people reporting that they receive a bonus each year. Bush Pilots make the most in San Francisco, CA at $101,376, averaging total compensation 20% greater than the US average.

Do you need a pilot’s license for a bush plane?

You will need to obtain a

private pilot license (PPL) and a subsequent commercial pilot license (CPL)

to be a bush pilot. If you are ferrying passengers, you will also need an air traffic pilot’s license (ATPL). You can either do the course full time for a year or part-time that can take about five years.

How far can you fly a bush plane?

These are aircraft that might typically fly

200-400 miles at a

time (320-645km). But the shortest stretch of water you cross on an Atlantic crossing is 700 miles.

How much does an Alaska Airlines pilot make?

Pilot pay at Alaska Airlines ranges from

$78,543.00 per year

for a new first officer up to $225,900.00 per year for a senior captain.

How much does a private pilot make?

Annual Salary Monthly Pay Top Earners $200,000 $16,666 75th Percentile $200,000 $16,666 Average

$112,741


$9,395
25th Percentile $52,000 $4,333

How much is a bush plane cost?

Single-Engine Planes: These planes, which hold two or more people and are more economical to operate and maintain than multi-engine planes, typically cost

between $15,000 and $100,000

. Multi-engine Planes: If you consider a plane like this, it will cost you between $75,000 and $300,000.

Are pilots in demand?

Job Outlook

Overall employment of airline and commercial pilots is projected to grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About

14,500 openings

for airline and commercial pilots are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

How much do seaplane pilots make?

How much does a Seaplane Pilot in United States make? The highest salary for a Seaplane Pilot in United States is

$142,436 per year

. The lowest salary for a Seaplane Pilot in United States is $50,848 per year.

How much do junior pilots make?

Annual Salary Monthly Pay Top Earners $100,000 $8,333 75th Percentile $72,500 $6,041 Average

$62,646


$5,220
25th Percentile $40,000 $3,333

What is the highest salary for a pilot?

Major Airline Pilots Earn the Highest Salary Regional Airlines versus Major Airlines. In the May 2019 report, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the range of salaries for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers from less than $74,100 a year, to the highest

10 percent earning more than $208,000

.

Where is it legal to land a bush plane?

In general, you

can land on any public land that is not a place someone else would be

(like a road). If you land on a road without good reason, it could be construed as reckless. In remote areas like Alaska landing off field is routine and occurs as a matter of course.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.