Pilots, oddball pilots especially, tend to pride themselves on being self-reliant. Sometimes though, you owe everything to the kindness and professionalism of strangers. 13 years ago today, a real-life aviation radio drama unfolded over the Atlantic. Put on some headphones and listen in …
In this first interview exclusively for Oddball Pilot members, Aidan talks to Brad Janssen, Flight Operations Manager for Digital Aerial Solutions. Brad has more than a decade of experience flying aerial surveys of all different types. It’s an interesting niche that combines flying with cutting edge technology. Intrigued? This interview will point you in the right direction.
When a climber on Alaska’s Mount Osborn recently pressed the 911 button on his Spot Tracker satellite GPS messenger on April 20th, an emergency response was quickly launched out of Nome. Aidan recently sat down with Jim West Jr. and Larry Eggart from Nome Search and Rescue to discuss aviation’s role in the mountain rescue.
You had questions, Aidan and the crew at the Era pilot house in Nome have answers. Pull up a chair and enjoy this wide-ranging discussion covering aerobatic training, wildlife survey flying, aerial firefighting, working abroad, and lots more!
The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander has been operating in remote areas and off short, rough strips since the first one rolled off the factory line in 1965. Last summer Aidan visited McCall Aviation in Idaho, and recorded this video walkthrough of their Islander for you.
After Aidan delivered a Caravan to Safarilink at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya last summer, he sat down with pilot Shahid Rasuel to learn a bit more about what they do (fly tourists to dirt strips at safari camps in Kenya and northern Tanzania, and to paved strips at beach resorts on the Kenyan coast). There’s a good elephant story in here too.
Our second Q&A session, from the Era pilot house in Nome. Aidan and a few other folks discuss the hiring outlook, low-time right seat jobs in Alaska, flying in Antarctica, the best aviation training options, supporting a family, international work permits, and more. Listen in …
As Ross Nixon found out at an early age, sometimes the oddball flying jobs you don’t get paid for are the most rewarding!
Ben Rowe’s parents founded Bering Air in 1979, and over the years he worked his way up from painting the hangar floor to being Chief Pilot. In this interview you’ll hear about the history of aviation in Nome, what it’s like to work for the company, what it’s like to live in Nome, and more!
If you live near Seattle, join us next Wednesday night at KBFI to see Aidan’s photos of Nepal and hear his stories about flying there.
