Bush Pilots of Alaska

The pilots of Ultima Thule Lodge in Alaska all agree on one thing: Bush flying means total access, total freedom to explore true wilderness. For them "true wilderness" doesn't just mean forests, rivers, and mountains, but places that are still unknown, places nobody has ever explored. Join us as we fly into Wrangell - St Elias National Park and some of the most remote places on earth.

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[enceladus]

I watched this video 3 years ago and said to myself, “I should have become a pilot.” Started my PPL a few months ago.

[theartofpixels]

Hey buddy, I just want you to know that I look back at this video so much. It truly is one of the most beautiful short films on flying. Thanks for putting the time into making this.

[migmindy]

This video made me start on my PPL last year, and convinced me to visit Alaska. Thank u

[Maxwell]

Loved your video. Was excited to see the still B&W photo of bush pilot Bob Reeve that you included. In the 1930's Bob was Alaska's first pilot to land on glaciers and later founded Reeve Aleutian Airways. In the mid 1960's Bob and his wife Tillie were our neighbors on 11th street in Anchorage. They lived about 3 doors down from us. In winter I used to shovel their sidewalks and driveway to earn money to snow ski weekends at Arctic Valley or Alyeska. Bob was one of my boyhood hero's and I still treasure the book "Glacier Pilot" (his story) which he and Tillie autographed for me in 1967. Bush pilots are a special breed and your video brought back many good memories. In those days everyone in Alaska seemed to fly. My Dad was a pilot, my sister (before she turned 20) and I flew later.

[Postelnikov]

You need to get “be aware sign”. I watched your video 3 years ago. 1, 5 year ago received my PPL license. 3 weeks ago got seaplane rating. In a month will start my mountain rating (closest to bush flight we can get in Europe). Also I am in my instrument rating studding stage now. After will go to Alaska to learn from bush pilots guys. Be aware. After watching this video your life may become awesome!

[potatoking]

This was beautiful. It confirmed that I want to become a bush pilot in Alaska one day. Who ever made this did an amazing job. These pilots are living the life!

[ericohara]

Many years ago I watched a National Geographic, Jared Leto "Alaska's Bush Pilot" film with Paul flying. I was lucky to be flying tailwheel from a UK grass strip and as a relatively young newly qualified private pilot, the film was total inspiration.
I am not flying for the moment, but search regularly, longing for the old National Geo film somewhere on you tube, all to no avail .... Finding this has made my day.. and again it has Paul and now his grown up family who were small in the old film.
This will be my top "go to" aviation film...Thank you..

[han]

"True wilderness, where no one has ever been."
Grizzly Bear: "Am I a joke to you?"

[lucashpcortes]

I am bush pilot here in Amazon forest in Brazil flying the c182. I would like to know this reality of Alaska, very similar to ours. Fly loaded, very short runways. But here it is in the middle of the jungle and the very hot weather is constant. Someday I’ll fly there!

[michaelshan]

Thank you for sharing such wonderful video! Really appreciate you and people in the video, Wow, all of you open my eyes and soul!!! Thank you!!!

[Bokaj]

6:23 The Snickers is gonna lure in the hungry bear and that Glock is just gonna tickle it lol :O - awesome scenarios!

[josephippolito]

Salute to the men and women of the bush pilot industry

[e.f.]

Absolutety fantastic. Love this short film.

[tanveerrandhawa]

Truly amazing ❤ it. One of my retirement life.

[curly]

One of the high points in a visit to Alaska 25 years ago was a flight from Talkeetna(?) in a supercharged Cessna with retractable skis, carrying 5 passengers + the pilot to land on Denali at 9, 000 ft. The "landing strip" was marked by ski boards up-ended in the snow. I remember the highest outhouse in Alaska being pointed out to us some height above our landing area.

I had the privilige of getting my Supercub Tailwheel conversion this spring. And yesss, I can tell there's nothing more rewarding than flying a supercub!

[KevinRudisill]

Love it, such a good video of what fun is to be had out there!!! Great video, sick footage!!!!

[abbieamavi]

I love this so much. I’m currently a flight instructor, and my dream plane is either a rail dragged with massive tundra tires, or a Kodiak. I know it’s incredibly cold, but through the video it just looks like pure bliss 😄 thanks for sharing!

[jakegreenberg]

Great short film. Hope there's another!

[rodrigoavila]

amazing view, amazing planes that u have.