Most coastal communities, such as King Salmon, can be accessed only by boat or plane. And the bush pilot is a key link in the state's valuable ecotourism business, especially for the hunters and fishers who covet distant wilderness settings. But the image of glamour and daring that surrounds the profession is a far cry from reality, said Inguagiato. Instead, it's a job for hard workers and careful flyers. The weather can be treacherous with heavy rains, thick fogs and brutal winds sweeping in off the ocean with little notice.
Visibility is often low, but the mountains are high.
There are no control towers in the wilderness, and the small planes don't have radar. But risk-takers don't have long careers in the Alaskan skies. If the risk is too big, or you get complacent about judging things, it will bite you. And it' s definitely an environment that's not very forgiving of stupid mistakes. But even being careful isn't a guarantee.