Also called: Alaska Bush Pilot, Backcountry Pilot
Flies small planes into remote places with no roads, landing on gravel bars, lakes, and glaciers.
In Alaska, bush pilots deliver mail, groceries, hunters, and medical patients to villages, landing on tiny strips or with floats and skis.
Estimate.
Certificate, about 4 years after high school. FAA private and commercial pilot certificates (flight school, about 1-2 years and significant cost; military training is another route) plus mountain and float-plane experience.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Aviation, Professional Flight.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Cargo drones may take some village mail runs, but carrying people onto gravel bars, lakes and glaciers in rough weather stays a pilot job.
Classes: Physics, Pre-calculus, Earth Science (weather), Auto or small-engine shop.
Official data: O*NET occupation 53-2012.
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