One of the options I'll want to explore when I get my CPL is float/bush flying. However, I am a city boy through and through. I can't chop wood, I can't tie knots (shoelaces yes, but those don't count), I'm not sure I could build a proper fire, never held or fired a gun, don't dirtbike or snowmobile, etc. etc. I could go on.

Any 'city' people currently flying bush and/or floats? How did you find the culture shock, for lack of a better term? What did you wish you had learned beforehand, what surprised you, and would you do it again? Or would you elect to stay near 'civilization'?

Yes, it can be done. As long as you leave your southern attitude and preconceived ideas about the people up here down south. I did it. I would say I had a little more experience than you. Having done a lot of camping and fishing when I was younger. But I had never held a gun, owned a snow machine or a dirt bike. I came out of southern ontario and did just fine. In fact I'm still in the north after 16 yrs.

There's nothing you really need to know that you won't learn pretty quick. You'll need to know a few basic knots if you're float flying. You'll need to learn how to check if a gun is unloaded before you put it in your airplane. You can't be squeamish about dead things because you'll haul a lot of them.

You'll take some ribbing for being from the south, but if you try to fit in instead of clinging to your loafers and Hugo boss shirts it'll go away. The people up here see a thousand guys from the south who just want to build their time and get the hell out. As soon as they know you're not one of those types they'll accept you. Above all, if you decide to do it, have fun. I got to see some amazing places flying floats all over the north that most people from the south don't even know exist.

a bit of a odd question eh?

Well do you think you can learn how to tie a few knots, ride a snowmachine, shoot a rifle, dig a hole and hike a long ways?

Are you a friendly person?

If yes and yes, then sure you can fly in the north!

Were you expecting a secret handshake or members only ring or something?

Absolutely, young man...go for it.

I spent years in the north trying to figure out who would work out and who would not..I could never find a connection between where you are from and whether you will work out..Lots of other indicators, but not that one. some of the most "citified" pilots worked out just fine for both themselves and the company.
Ans some of those who were there just to get their time in worked out well too, though they were the exception,

Try not to tell the locals you are a vegetarian and that eating meat is destroying the planet when your company makes about 1/2 its annual revenue hauling hunters, caribou and moose. Or sit in the bar with your fellow northern pilotsand tell them that ss soon as you can convince someone down south to hire you, this shithole will be a memory.

On the other hand, if you want to learn how to shoot, build a fire properly, snowmobile, you will have a great time.

Enjoy the path..The journey is the goal.

A bit of a sidetrack. Can a pilot from the city become a cropduster?
I remember learning to fly and the instructor had us practising precautionary landings in a field seeded to a crop that would have resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and possibly its occupants when a suitable field was within glide distance. The instructor mumbled something about insurance and would not discuss it further.

I can't chop wood, I can't tie knots (shoelaces yes, but those don't count), I'm not sure I could build a proper fire, never held or fired a gun, don't dirtbike or snowmobile, etc. etc. I could go on.



Your more than welcome to come to my place for the weekend
LOL did all that last Saturday even did the sledding as i moved it to the shed.
cheated when i started the fire, little gas and a match, the kids love it.

Good luck follow your dream!!

cheated when i started the fire, little gas and a match, the kids love it.

How is that cheating? I always thought that was the traditional way.

Nothing says I am a northerner like singed eyebrows.

I don't know...A metro sexual guy from a City, strained through a silk hanky since birth...might be an uphill battle. Kidding a little but your going to be in for an eye opener if bush flying is anything like it used to be 25-30 years ago. Having said that...go for it of course and if you make it you'll have a tough time with City life again.

No..but a City Girl sure can....lol

Depends how city you are... and how adaptable you are.

System Message wrote:A bit of a sidetrack. Can a pilot from the city become a cropduster?
I remember learning to fly and the instructor had us practising precautionary landings in a field seeded to a crop that would have resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and possibly its occupants when a suitable field was within glide distance. The instructor mumbled something about insurance and would not discuss it further.

Yes. It's all a matter of how well you can adapt to a new atmosphere. It's a steep learning curve, but if you are willing to learn then there is no issue. It makes for a smoother adjustment if you were born and raised on a farm and can rig up a mix unit and fix it, fix Honda pumps, fix spray systems, run tractors, drive trucks, identify crop, knowing how to read RM maps with Section Township Range, knowing what a well looks like etc. All things you can easily learn. Having said that; Much like when I was looking for a job in the float industry I was asked if I could buck wood, build a dock, fix boat motors etc ...I was asked if I was raised on a farm when seeking out Ag Operations. Just hope you get on with an Operator that has lots of patience and is willing to teach you the ropes!

As for the precautionary horror story -- field selection generally has nothing to do with crop identification because you're seeking fields with no crop in them!

Yes, you can do it.

Trey hit the nail on the head... You have to have the desire to immerse yourself and not stand aloof, roll up the sleeves and experience it all.

The returns are fabulous, new friends, camaraderie, the sharing of life is what binds us to each other and if done in somewhat harsher environments, so much the better. Just look at how many older pilots flying for shirt and tie airlines still remember their time in the North as the best of their life.

Not only can you learn how to start a fire and skin a moose but you may be able to improve on some of these traditions.

Here is an "improvement" I have just heard about... every moose hunter has to contend with cleaning off the hair that gets stuck to the carcass after skinning the beast, my electrician friend takes along a small propane bottle and a roofer's finishing torch, a touch of the holy fire and ...Poof! hair just falls off. I hears it also lights up a mean fire in no time at all, wet or dry.

So come North, young man, and discover yourself.

Some interesting replies to be sure...seems the common theme is to apply yourself, respect your coworkers and customers, be ready to learn, and don't be a jackass. I don't have a problem with any of that, I don't think it's any different than working down south.

Were you expecting a secret handshake or members only ring or something?

Haha, I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting. Mostly I wanted to know if there was anything you guys & girls wish you had known or learned BEFORE going up there and getting a trial by fire? Seems a knowledge of knots and checking guns is important, fair enough.

I don't know...A metro sexual guy from a City, strained through a silk hanky since birth...

Metrosexual...? Thankfully not Paul Bunyan though, I'm not either...I don't own a 'blouse' or a flannel shirt. I'm just acclimated to the comforts of the city. Maybe I have the wrong idea of 'roughing it' in the North? Guess I won't exactly be living in a tent or an unheated cabin (or will I?)

I was asked if I could buck wood,

Does that mean chop wood? I'd say I could, but there is a 25% chance everytime I swing the axe that it could go into my shin...so maybe I should say 'no' to the chopping (bucking?) wood question...

Anyhow, thanks for the answers, keep 'em coming. This is still at least a year away for me, but I'm just exploring long-term options, seeing what I want to do.

Well your not a bush pilot until you have made love to a northern girl, shot a moose and flew a Norseman. If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. DHC

I think it would be easier for a city boy to become a bush pilot than a bush pilot to become a city boy.

I don't think it's any different than working down south.

Ummm... that depends where you are based out of, a major northern town, not too difficult. But if your ploped down in a reserve with no road access... It will be different then working down south!

DHCdriver wrote:Well your not a bush pilot until you have made love to a northern girl, shot a moose and flew a Norseman. If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. DHC

well I made love to something, flew something and shot something...just not the same cushy arrangement that you did.

The only bad thing about my arrangement was I had to bring them all home in the Norseman. If the city boy can get his hands on a Norseman he'll have it made. DHC

DHCdriver wrote:Well your not a bush pilot until you have made love to a northern girl, shot a moose and flew a Norseman. If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. DHC

I beg to differ, you're not a bush pilot until you make love to a moose while mistaking it for a northern girl.

All those boys running those gravel strips in the north have made that mistake once or twice, your not alone. DHC

I did it!! I had a little more knowledge then you did I think. I don't have a float rating just everything on wheels. I have a job down south and I can honestly say I miss the north and flying. I'm flying in southern Ontario on a machine over 12 500 and like being near family but it's not flying to me. If you like being outside and working the north is for you, but if you can see yourself sitting in an office doing paperwork and such then the south is for you.
I'll be up north in a few years from now.
Best time in my life and I miss it.

Go north...and don't worry, you won't have time to build fires, go hunting, fire rifles, etc....so it doesn't matter!

Cat Driver wrote:I think it would be easier for a city boy to become a bush pilot than a bush pilot to become a city boy.

"You can take the pilot out of the bush, but you can't take the bush out of the pilot."

No; don't even think about it.

You're not one of them vegetarians too, are you?