Yes. I'm crazy, young, and naive... Help.

D

Dilly

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Dilly
So I've always been impatient and ambitious. From the age of seven I wanted to be a pilot, at the age of twelve I joined CAP and the EAA young Eagles. I was sixteen when I started flight lessons, eighteen when I became I private pilot. I started my instrument training shortly after. Like many pilots, I'm goal oriented. One of my current goals is to leave my hometown and go west, as I've wanted to do since I remember. After passing my instrument checkride which is scheduled for a couple weeks, I plan on going on a spring road trip across the country. I want to hike mountains and backpack through national parks and forests without google or anyone but my whims to guide me.

My reason for sharing all this on a pilot platform is to ask for advice and support. I love flying and have worked long and hard to get to where I am. Eventually, I want to pursue a career in wilderness aviation (I know that's competitive and niche) but right now I'm in a place where I want to have adventures and build experience both in flying and life. How can I balance the two? I don't want to sacrifice travel and spontaneity for flight proficiency, but I also don't want to be barely current while I wander to my heart's content. As an east coast flatlands pilot, I know there is so much more to learn and understand about flying in conditions I have never seen. I'd like to be a well rounded pilot who has experience in many different environments with numerous different purposes and with a variety of people. I'm curious if any of you have found yourselves in a similar place throughout your flying career, or if you know anyone who is where I am: crazy, young, naive, hopeful and passionate.

If you want to offer caution, encouragement, humor, correction or anything in between, please do. I'm all ears. I've been purposefully vague, but if there is interest I am happy to share more.
 
A career in wilderness aviation? Like fish spotting, firefighting, or similar/equivalent?
 
hindsight2020 said:
A career in wilderness aviation? Like fish spotting, firefighting, or similar/equivalent?
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I am working towards getting my wilderness EMT certification. I would love to support that mission from above... Firefighting would be amazing.
 
Dilly said:
...but right now I'm in a place where I want to have adventures and build experience both in flying and life. How can I balance the two?
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Dilly said:
… I'm in a place where I want to have adventures and build experience both in flying and life. How can I balance the two? I don't want to sacrifice travel and spontaneity for flight proficiency, but I also don't want to be barely current while I wander to my heart's content. …..
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Ah, the memories of having to make your first life choice. You are in charge of your priorities; “balance” isn’t about not making sacrifices, instead it’s about prioritizing what you will sacrifice.

Good luck. Flying will kill you; not being able to wake up today and launch on a random long weekend trip won’t. Choose wisely and good luck.
 
I have walked some of this path - DM me, happy to share some thoughts.
 
Dilly said:
So I've always been impatient and ambitious. From the age of seven I wanted to be a pilot, at the age of twelve I joined CAP and the EAA young Eagles. I was sixteen when I started flight lessons, eighteen when I became I private pilot. I started my instrument training shortly after. Like many pilots, I'm goal oriented. One of my current goals is to leave my hometown and go west, as I've wanted to do since I remember. After passing my instrument checkride which is scheduled for a couple weeks, I plan on going on a spring road trip across the country. I want to hike mountains and backpack through national parks and forests without google or anyone but my whims to guide me.

My reason for sharing all this on a pilot platform is to ask for advice and support. I love flying and have worked long and hard to get to where I am. Eventually, I want to pursue a career in wilderness aviation (I know that's competitive and niche) but right now I'm in a place where I want to have adventures and build experience both in flying and life. How can I balance the two? I don't want to sacrifice travel and spontaneity for flight proficiency, but I also don't want to be barely current while I wander to my heart's content. As an east coast flatlands pilot, I know there is so much more to learn and understand about flying in conditions I have never seen. I'd like to be a well rounded pilot who has experience in many different environments with numerous different purposes and with a variety of people. I'm curious if any of you have found yourselves in a similar place throughout your flying career, or if you know anyone who is where I am: crazy, young, naive, hopeful and passionate.

If you want to offer caution, encouragement, humor, correction or anything in between, please do. I'm all ears. I've been purposefully vague, but if there is interest I am happy to share more.
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I would advise you to have a backup career. I don't know exactly what wilderness aviation is, but you don't want to be one medical away from bankruptcy. It is difficult for someone in their 20's to imagine health becoming a decision factor. About 30 years ago I was contemplating whether to stick to my chosen academic carrer path, or go into an airline career. I chose the former. I am still flying, though not big irons. I am still in great health, but I can't say for sure how things would have turned out if I had spent more time eating from vending machines at airports, and sleeping in hotels.
 
Buy a cheap experimental bushplane and move to somewhere out west, and hang out with all the STOL bros out there.
 
sarangan said:
I would advise you to have a backup career. I don't know exactly what wilderness aviation is, but you don't want to be one medical away from bankruptcy. It is difficult for someone in their 20's to imagine health becoming a decision factor. About 30 years ago I was contemplating whether to stick to my chosen academic carrer path, or go into an airline career. I chose the former. I am still flying, though not big irons. I am still in great health, but I can't say for sure how things would have turned out if I had spent more time eating from vending machines at airports, and sleeping in hotels.
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Everyone that chose the second option accepted the risk you avoided. Not implying any righteousness or lack thereof for either choice.

I picked the second one. If I lost my medical I have no idea what I would do. I hope I don’t have to find out. If I do then I’ll deal with it.

I’m happy with my choice and I’m sure you are as well.

To the OP, no one can answer this for you. Everyone has to find their own path. Regarding life balance, it’s always a moving target. No matter how you live there will be times that require you to focus more time than you desire on something. Most often the earning money part.

Good luck!
 
How young? Crazy and Naive are subjective - and isn't that incompatible with being a pilot LOL.

Why limit yourself to the "young time"? Get excited about your 30's, 40's, etc. as well. Think of the amazing adventure in front of you, even if parts are unknown. What you do now sets you up for the rest of your life. Plan a bit and you'll have an even greater time outside of your 20's! Give yourself options for alternative adventures. Don't box yourself in.

For example, if you want to fly wilderness, what could that lead to next? Every job is the job before your next job. Alaska bush pilot? That could put hours in your log book and lead to something else if you wanted it. Risk of losing medical? What about becoming an A&P now as well?

Oh yeah, don't forget that you have to buy food, shelter, medical, etc. And cash for your Commercial ticket and 2nd class medical. Plan that out a bit so that doesn't get in the way.
 
Unless you're independently wealthy, a move to Alaska or Idaho sounds like it can put you on the path to your goals. My info is over a decade old, but in Idaho you would have needed at least 1,000 hours before anyone would look at you for a backcountry pilot job. Blue Skies and Good Luck!
 
In today’s age you can pretty much do what you want if you are willing to sacrifice and work hard.Some dream career positions may be many years down the road but if you can stay focused you have a good chance of eventually getting there.You won’t be hired as a backcountry pilot tomorrow,but with the proper effort you stand a good chance someday.
 
Jaminky said:
In today’s age you can pretty much do what you want if you are willing to sacrifice and work hard.Some dream career positions may be many years down the road but if you can stay focused you have a good chance of eventually getting there.You won’t be hired as a backcountry pilot tomorrow,but with the proper effort you stand a good chance someday.
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Good point. So maybe get a CFI and build hours teaching as you do more research and plan options.
 
A seaplane rating isn't a bad idea, either... this was in the latest Barnstormers flyer:

Alaska Float Plane Pilot​


ALASKA FLOAT PLANE PILOT • POSITION AVAILABLE • Well Established Bristol Bay fishing lodge is seeking a long term Float Plane pilot to fly one of our DHC-2 Beavers. We are accepting all applications and are willing to do some training in the beaver if applicant has enough credentials to qualify for insurance. Applicant will receive all room and board while at the lodge and travel expenses to and from the lodge are covered as well. Job pays a minimum of four months salary. Job is from June 1 to October 1. Rainbow King Lodge operates some of the best planes in Bristol Bay. Very competitive salary, but is negotiable based on experience. • Contact Craig Augustynovich - RAINBOW KING LODGE , - located Roseburg, OR 97470 United States • Telephone: 541-974-6567 • Posted January 2, 2026 • Show all Ads posted by this Advertiser • Recommend This Ad to a Friend • Email Advertiser • Save to Watchlist • Report This Ad • View Larger Images
 
Go north seems like a good opportunity,with some training included. Never know who you’ll meet through networking
 
What about those wacky Canadians? Any jobs up there? Have no idea if that’s possible. You could also be a missionary pilot in Papua New Guinea
 
Three Young Eagles we have flown have gone on to careers as Missionary Pilots.
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This is REAL Backcountry Flying.
 
WDD said:
How young? Crazy and Naive are subjective - and isn't that incompatible with being a pilot LOL.
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I slightly remember when I thought 40 was old ... and years later 60 was over the hill. Now 80 is looking like the time to think that I'll be getting older! :biggrin:
 
idahoflier said:
Unless you're independently wealthy, a move to Alaska or Idaho sounds like it can put you on the path to your goals. My info is over a decade old, but in Idaho you would have needed at least 1,000 hours before anyone would look at you for a backcountry pilot job. Blue Skies and Good Luck!
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I heard that one local Idaho 135 had a 500tt pilot flying a twin with a still wet multi rating. But, nobody wants to work for them. They seem to have a lot of issues. You'd get hours, make little money, and if you didn't comply with company pressure you'd probably not have an engine go quiet.

I flew Alaska to work for the summer in 2024. After my first real paycheck I realize that I was being paid $145/day rather than the promised $300. I later found out that there was a name for that, the Alaska shuffle. I went home after the boss didn't have time to discuss the issue.

Idaho, from the few I have talked to, pays $50 per flight hour. Weighing bags and passengers (many just estimate), loading the plane, fueling the plane, and time on the ground pay $0. But, for the entire 5 month season you might get 400 hours.
 
Maybe being young and crazy he changed his mind.
 
Half Fast said:
That seems to happen a lot. People are just unwilling to commit.
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Especially when they understand what they were asking about isn't an easy thing to accomplish.
 
I'm here. Listening. A little overwhelmed with all the advice... I wasn't expecting so many opinions.
X3 Skier said:
Especially when they understand what they were asking about isn't an easy thing to accomplish.
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No kidding. I'm not discouraged, and I might slightly arrogantly say that I've never met anyone who's more committed than me.
 
I'd do two things.

First, go to KMYL and do this course: http://mountaincanyonflying.com/

Next, go to Alaska and get a seaplane rating.

If you're really committed, get yourself a Skywagon to fly up there, and fly around like crazy. Nobody flies more backcountry than Alaska, but they all want Alaska time up there.

Also, talk to @DavidWhite. And make friends and network like mad. And don't make any enemies, this industry is VERY small and everyone knows everyone.
 
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