Flybynight, my experience is that the surest way to ruin a good bush pilot is to give him an Instrument Rating. I have seen it many times. I would suggest to any aspiring pilot to take the money that they would spend on a Multi/IFR and rent a Float Plane and fly the shit out of it and get as many hours on floats as you can.

My experience also tells me a Cessna 185 is the hardest and most dangerous bush plane you will ever fly. I have always said that they should start a new pilot on a Beaver and when he gets enough experience move him to the 185.

CLguy :

It has always been thus in aviation, if nothing else we would have less insurance claims if float pilots started on the Beaver.

Cat.