Pilots and Outfitters...is it worth it?

[HDwild]

My dream has always been to become a pilot, have my own plane(s), and charter trips to Alaska or other remote wilderness areas for outdoorsmen. The ultimate goal would be for my company to basically own everything from the plane to the lodge in Alaska, the airstrip, and resident guides. The one-stop-shop for hunters and fishermen.

If any of you do this or something similar, how is life? Is the money coming in? More importantly, do you still love it? Hard on the family? etc..

Just want to hear your professional opinions. Thanks, guys!

 

[Gen273]

I don't have a clue, but I say go for your dreams while you can. Life is short! Good luck!!

 

[adieatrick]

Better have deep pockets. That game is pretty established up there. Coming in and over throwing someone for permits is going to be a tough ask. There is a reason the most reputable guides/outfitters with drop camps are booked 2-3 years out.

 

[Mt Al]

I don't have a clue, but I say go for your dreams while you can. Life is short! Good luck!!

Truer words have never been spoken. If you have family money, you're 80% there and that's not intended as a slight - this will cost a pile of money and time, but many others have gone before you and made dreams happen.

I got the pilot's license when I was younger, flew about 100 hours, loved it and moved on and don't regret it, other than sometimes! For me it was a priority issue. Flying is a huge commitment in time and money and I didn't want to give up other family activities.

I have a friend my age, mid 50s, who didn't have kids, stayed single after a crappy divorce, drove very humble cars, lived in a very modest apartment bought a Cessna 150 time builder and flew the prop off of it for years, slow cross countries, touch and goes all over the state. His degree (BS and MS in physics) allowed him a higher paying job, which then paid for tail wheel, commercial, instrument rating and renting high performance/retractables. He made sacrifices and is living his flying dream.

If you commit to aviation, you can make it happen. People are flying around the country at 150+mph in Sonex homebuilts with Corvair engines for around $35K, building time and experience before they buy a certified bush plane. Never thought that would happen for that price.

 

[Salmonchaser]

I’ve been guiding/outfitting in Bristol Bay for 20 years. Wish I had seen your post in April, I knew of two well established outfits looking for plane drivers. I’d say go try it for a season, see what happens.

 

[mtnbiker208]

a buddy of mine is doing this same thing. He just picked up a fish camp a coupe of years ago.
Some one will always say why you should not do something. Some of us will say go for it.
I am also self employed, so i get wanting to work for yourself. go for it!

 

[Salmonchaser]

I know of a well established air taxi service, works for a number of lodges, well established competent crew, five planes, that is for sale.

 

[DakotaBPNW]

I know of a well established air taxi service, works for a number of lodges, well established competent crew, five planes, that is for sale.

Why the sale?

 

[Salmonchaser]

Why the sale?

Retirement, he’s been out there 30 years