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 pilots require exceptional backcountry flying skills, self-reliance, resourcefulness, and the right attitude to operate in remote areas with minimal support.
Two main career paths exist: commercial operations, which can be seasonal and support industries or tourism, and missionary aviation, which focuses on humanitarian aid and often requires an A&P license alongside flight experience.
Training for bush pilots involves commercial and instrument pilot certificates, specialized endorsements (e.g., float, tailwheel), significant flight hours (often 500+ for missionary), and valuable practical non-flying skills like mechanics or other trades.
Commercial bush pilot salaries vary widely but can range from $2,500 to $8,000+ per month, while missionary pilots typically fund their own expenses and salary ($4,000-$6,000 per month) through donor networks, both offering unique personal rewards.

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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.