Alaska's Bush Pilots

Alaska's Bush Pilots. . , "For many pilots, their dream job is that of a bush pilot , the airborne cowboy who must land on gravel bars and slip through mountain passes." , , Kathy Dondzila, Since their earliest days, Alaska's bush pilots have earned a reputation for boldness and skill. They have saved lives and connected remote communities for over 100 years., The term "bush" describes areas of remote wilderness. Bush pilots navigate Alaska's hard-to-reach lands, where cars, trains and boats cannot travel. They fly over , and land on , glaciers, mountains and large ponds. They face storms, avalanches and dangerous mountain peaks., Bush pilots fly hunters and fishers to isolated camps, climbers to mountains and mail to secluded homes. They respond to medical emergencies and rescue people who live far from hospitals. They risk their lives and many have died saving others., For much of the 20th century, bush pilots flew in fragile planes with little advanced technology. Today's pilots have better technology and weather forecasting, but the job remains dangerous., DID YOU KNOW? , Alaska's early bush pilots were legends, and they mastered how to fly in the worst of conditions. However, despite their expertise, many of the early bush pilots taught themselves how to fly and never attended flight school., VISIT HISTORIC TALKEETNA , Talkeetna, nestled at the base of Denali, has long been a home for bush pilots. It is known as the jumping off point for climbers preparing to ascend Denali, and it is home to the Talkeetna, Chulitna and Susitna Rivers. If you are interested in a Talkeetna based land excursion or in exploring the town on your own, please visit the Guest Service Desk for details.