How to Become a Bush Pilot

James Wynbrandt and Flying Staff

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 03:19 PM ET

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Floatplanes are staples of North American bush operations. Georgian Bay Airways

Key Takeaways:

Bush piloting demands exceptional flying skills, self-reliance, resourcefulness, and the right attitude for remote operations, with specific flight hour and certification requirements varying for commercial versus missionary aviation paths.
Entry-level positions often involve ground support, and additional practical skills (e.g., mechanical, technical) are highly valued for employability; specialized training is available for environments like floats or tailwheels.
Commercial bush pilots transport supplies and people for diverse industries with variable salaries, while missionary aviators support faith-based objectives in isolated communities, typically funding their own expenses and salaries through donor networks.

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Bush pilots operate in remote areas worldwide with little operational support. Career success and survival require excellent backcountry flying skills, self-reliance and resourcefulness, and above all, the right attitude, say bush pilots Glen Ferguson and Keith Saulnier. They represent the two bush-pilot career paths you might consider: missionary aviation and commercial operations.

Saulnier owns Georgian Bay Airways in Parry Sound, Ontario, which offers a Career Bush Pilot Program, and Ferguson is CEO of the International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA), whose 60-some member organizations include mission-aviation fellowships and colleges with mission-aviation programs. Here are their tips for becoming a bush pilot.