Bush Pilots of Alaska

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  • Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
  • 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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КОМЕНТАРІ • 193

  • @enceladus2263
    @enceladus2263 3 роки тому +243

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

    • @wowitsjames
      @wowitsjames 2 роки тому +12

      Same here. This was the video that did it. I'm a few hours away from my first solo. "Freedom. Pure freedom." I always remember that quote from this video.

    • @enceladus2263
      @enceladus2263 2 роки тому +3

      @@wowitsjames get it dude. Good luck!!

    • @ghost8050
      @ghost8050 2 роки тому +3

      me too! Starting in a few weeks

    • @oppoandroidf1174
      @oppoandroidf1174 2 роки тому +1

      👍👍👍👌👌😊😊

    • @nighthiker8872
      @nighthiker8872 2 роки тому +2

      Have a lot of fun being a corp duster.

  • @theartofpixels
    @theartofpixels 4 роки тому +162

    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.

    • @btrangbang
      @btrangbang 4 роки тому +3

      Moe Adventures same!

    • @antonwestergaard5211
      @antonwestergaard5211 4 роки тому +1

      Yeah same for me :)

    • @SporlederArt
      @SporlederArt 4 роки тому +1

      Thank you for the kind words. I find myself coming back to watch this video too and think about how lucky I actually was to film this. Amazing experience in an Amazing land.

    • @kenhurley4441
      @kenhurley4441 4 роки тому +1

      @@SporlederArt Possible update on the airplanes? Engine, gallons of fuel, fly time. Kinda behind the scenes info. Oh and you did an execellent job of filming! Very comfortable to watch!

    • @UppoffX
      @UppoffX 3 роки тому +1

      @@steveallen648 no

  • @Postelnikov
    @Postelnikov Рік тому +4

    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!

    • @scottsporleder5337
      @scottsporleder5337 Рік тому +1

      Thanks Artem! This comment means a lot to me. It's amazing to see how many people this video has touched. Gotta thank everyone up at Ultima Thule though, they're the real badasses... they just let me document their talent.

    • @brinjal1371
      @brinjal1371 4 місяці тому

      Is PPL enough? Is CPL not needed?

  • @migmindy
    @migmindy 4 роки тому +84

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

    • @jlowknight
      @jlowknight 4 роки тому +1

      Hahaha I did the same! I lived in Alaska for few years but no flying experience. Now that I have a license I want to go back to learn proper Bush flying. Finding a mentor can be challenging.

    • @ericohara2582
      @ericohara2582 4 роки тому +3

      I also did the same when Paul Claus featured in a National Geographic program in the '90s here in the UK. Learned to fly taildraggers and flew from a farm strip, it is the best thing I ever did thanks to Paul and Alaska. Have not made it to Alaska, better hurry up before I get too old! Look at lake Hood livecam here on you tube to keep you inspired!

    • @vickimeyers2672
      @vickimeyers2672 2 роки тому +1

      @@jlowknight best place to search for a mentor is to ask around at the small bush plane airport located between Willow and Talkeetna.

  • @08Maxwell1
    @08Maxwell1 2 роки тому +9

    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.

  • @lucashpcortes
    @lucashpcortes 2 роки тому +9

    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!

  • @potatoking6876
    @potatoking6876 2 роки тому +5

    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!

  • @ericohara2582
    @ericohara2582 4 роки тому +7

    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..

  • @michaelshan7141
    @michaelshan7141 2 роки тому +1

    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!!!

  • @josephippolito1402
    @josephippolito1402 2 роки тому +1

    Salute to the men and women of the bush pilot industry

  • @han1218
    @han1218 3 роки тому +8

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

  • @abbieamavi
    @abbieamavi Рік тому +1

    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!

  • @43963
    @43963 3 роки тому +2

    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!

  • @167curly
    @167curly 2 роки тому +1

    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.

  • @dovidstaples9985
    @dovidstaples9985 3 роки тому +3

    This is incredible.

  • @e.f.7225
    @e.f.7225 3 роки тому +1

    Absolutety fantastic. Love this short film.

  • @fredericparet5048
    @fredericparet5048 Рік тому +1

    Alaska, my dream...❤❤❤

  • @kevinphillips9408
    @kevinphillips9408 2 роки тому

    Thank you.

  • @marwinsteiner5817
    @marwinsteiner5817 2 роки тому +1

    After reading through Ruedi Homberger's photo album of the Wrangell Mountains and the Ultima Thule Lodge, it's cool to see what became of the airplanes, but most importantly, what became of the real stars of the show: the people. Really cool!

  • @clarencehopkins7832
    @clarencehopkins7832 Рік тому +1

    Excellent stuff bro

  • @annoybot
    @annoybot 5 років тому +21

    @6:22 ideal "safety kit"

  • @billycroacker
    @billycroacker 2 роки тому

    A spectacular short movie.

  • @VolodiaUlianov
    @VolodiaUlianov 5 місяців тому +1

    Fine😊

  • @rodrigoavila8371
    @rodrigoavila8371 Рік тому

    amazing view, amazing planes that u have.

  • @outcold1982
    @outcold1982 4 роки тому +4

    This is the most epic Backcountry video on UA-cam.

  • @kodeykinder20
    @kodeykinder20 5 років тому +6

    What an inspiration!

  • @KevinRudisill
    @KevinRudisill 3 роки тому +2

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

  • @joriol1
    @joriol1 11 місяців тому +1

    Sunscreen, snickers and a .45..... 😅😂

  • @jjlovesjam
    @jjlovesjam 3 роки тому +2

    Such incredible story telling!!

  • @TheFlightLevel
    @TheFlightLevel 4 роки тому +3

    Beautiful sites! Yes, the SuperCub represents the key to unlimited freedom in the wilderness!

  • @jakegreenberg9357
    @jakegreenberg9357 4 роки тому +4

    Great short film. Hope there's another!

  • @PaddyPilot
    @PaddyPilot 3 роки тому +2

    Such a quality video 👌

  • @scharliedavenport
    @scharliedavenport 4 роки тому +2

    Ben Gray is my spirit animal.

  • @bartrabiej
    @bartrabiej 2 роки тому

    Amazing!

  • @Bokaj01
    @Bokaj01 Рік тому +1

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

  • @StevePickrell1978
    @StevePickrell1978 4 роки тому +1

    Awesome video. Thanks for sharing. Blue Skies

  • @MrJamesOcean
    @MrJamesOcean 4 роки тому +6

    Question for Ben Gray, where did you get the chest holster? And do you wear it while you are flying? Does the seat belt not interfere with it?

  • @SwampDonkey530
    @SwampDonkey530 4 роки тому +1

    Super Cub is hands and feet..the way it should be. Great video 🤘🇨🇦

  • @tombombadil3185
    @tombombadil3185 6 років тому +20

    When I worked up there I heard often that "there are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots". Still, there is nothing better than a Beaver on floats in the bush.

    • @troyottosen8722
      @troyottosen8722 4 роки тому

      Tom as a longtime Alaskan, you nailed it! Alaska,no place compares!!!

  • @musoseven8218
    @musoseven8218 2 роки тому

    Amazing video, amazing flying and an amazing place.👍😊✌️
    Interesting name, where did that come from?🤔🤔

  • @hellasketch6523
    @hellasketch6523 2 роки тому

    i get out of the military after 8 healthy years this month! Ive decided im going to go to flight school with aspirations of eventually getting here

  • @okthennone
    @okthennone 3 роки тому

    Amazing

  • @TimezoneJunkies
    @TimezoneJunkies 7 років тому +13

    Great video, super interesting to watch. Those guys have a pretty awesome job! Thanks for sharing this!

  • @bushpilotexplorer1920
    @bushpilotexplorer1920 5 років тому +4

    A VERY good video, nice work fellow bush pilots.

  • @barbarasim2357
    @barbarasim2357 4 роки тому

    I was booked and paid up to go to Alaska and fly to the arctic in June of 2020. Not able to because of the virus. Still home in Nz. Wonder if I'll ever get.

  • @j.d.g6073
    @j.d.g6073 2 місяці тому

    Hi, i am interested to become a bush pilot. Do you have any advice? Do you have a specific way to get into it, you would recommend?

  • @vickimeyers2672
    @vickimeyers2672 2 роки тому

    The float plane base on Lake Spenard in Anchorage, Alaska has the highest number of float planes docked than any other in the nation.

  • @pnwRC.
    @pnwRC. 4 роки тому

    FANTASTIC video!

  • @sebastienandlauer5467
    @sebastienandlauer5467 2 роки тому

    what pair of sunglasses and helmet do you recommend to start in aviation ?

  • @frostbiten
    @frostbiten 4 роки тому +1

    CANT WAIT FOR DEADSTICK!

  • @espr7564
    @espr7564 4 роки тому

    Sounds like the place to be ❤👍👍👍

  • @arkaprava2561
    @arkaprava2561 2 роки тому

    Somebody can you tell me the name of the song? It was awesome !

  • @xxpatriarcadopunchxxowo3596
    @xxpatriarcadopunchxxowo3596 4 роки тому +2

    ke mal amigo dou redou buenardo

  • @brinjal1371
    @brinjal1371 4 місяці тому

    How to become a bush pilot? Is there any age limitation?

  • @levinitabarlow9569
    @levinitabarlow9569 4 роки тому +1

    Woooow!

  • @brinjal1371
    @brinjal1371 4 місяці тому

    How much does bush pilot make?

  • @faceluckcell9484
    @faceluckcell9484 3 роки тому

    hoLa soy macazzar city super cub is hands and feet incredible story

  • @brycebedell7143
    @brycebedell7143 3 роки тому

    hay i wanna be a bush pilot how much do you guys mack

  • @alexanderlawson5973
    @alexanderlawson5973 5 років тому +5

    what happened to the other video? with almost a million views

    • @SporlederArt
      @SporlederArt 5 років тому

      They had illegally stolen our video. This is the original video, I shot it in July about 2 years ago. Hope you enjoy it :)

  • @thegreatwebstar
    @thegreatwebstar 3 роки тому +2

    6:20 lol snickers, sunblock and occasionally .45

  • @billjesstaylor
    @billjesstaylor 6 років тому +1

    Wow! Nice job guys and gals! When is the next vid??!!

  • @NoahJohnson7452
    @NoahJohnson7452 9 місяців тому

    My dad used to work as a PJ rescuing downed bush pilots in Alaska

  • @kenhurley4441
    @kenhurley4441 4 роки тому +23

    The "26" thumbs down are from Cessna owners!

  • @chhris1994
    @chhris1994 9 місяців тому

    I probably come here every 6 months to review the comments and see if anyone found Ben Gray’s holster. I need to find that brand!

  • @riley6453
    @riley6453 4 роки тому +16

    This video made me drop out of university

    • @Jordan44752
      @Jordan44752 Місяць тому

      4 years after this comment, how did this work out? Genuinely curious because I think there is too much pressure to go to university these days.

  • @jeffbergstrom
    @jeffbergstrom 2 роки тому

    Is there more to this? This feels like the opening to a documentary. Incomplete as is.

  • @flyboymcd314
    @flyboymcd314 3 роки тому +1

    What’s the name of the intro song?😅

  • @mickemike2148
    @mickemike2148 3 роки тому

    Re-watching and dreaming.

  • @ToasterStud
    @ToasterStud 3 роки тому

    Gotta love it, when you're actually apart of the food chain. 😂🤣

  • @flyhigh420
    @flyhigh420 Рік тому

    jeep of the sky? so they break down all the time?

  • @jacobio
    @jacobio 3 роки тому

    this. this is my dream.

  • @williamfaulkner1917
    @williamfaulkner1917 2 роки тому

    Where is that plateau at 2:39 located?

  • @silvercat3243
    @silvercat3243 4 роки тому

    The opening song...whats the name?

  • @vladnedelea05
    @vladnedelea05 5 років тому +2

    i'm sold. where do i sign up? goal setting: fly and land up there within 2 years.

  • @captainskippy6622
    @captainskippy6622 6 років тому +1

    So very beautiful! How could someone hitch a ride for a sightseeing trip? I’ll be up that way later in the year.

  • @mrthomaslaux1
    @mrthomaslaux1 6 років тому

    How much is avgas on the north slope?

  • @mattf49006
    @mattf49006 5 років тому +1

    Super Cubs are a great airplane..but with the new Carbon Cubs and various innovative bush aircraft..the old Cubs are still a 1930s design..maybe 1950s technology...

    • @danielvillada8866
      @danielvillada8866 4 роки тому

      Yeah but still some of the best out there for how old they are

    • @jereynolds_9977
      @jereynolds_9977 2 роки тому

      an example of it ant broke don't fix it

  • @mr.commander3947
    @mr.commander3947 4 місяці тому

    so,, where can you buy a super cub today ???

  • @johanw2267
    @johanw2267 5 років тому +7

    I thought nothing of this aircraft (when flying flight sims for years) until I saw bush pilot videos landing and starting on a 5m distance.

  • @patricemarie2960
    @patricemarie2960 6 років тому

    VERY COOL SHARING! ... THANKS
    FOR THE POSTING!

  • @nandkumarb
    @nandkumarb 4 роки тому

    What plane make and model are these. ??

  • @daviddonohue665
    @daviddonohue665 4 роки тому +1

    recommend 10mm instead of .45

  • @VictorHernandez-ec8og
    @VictorHernandez-ec8og 4 роки тому

    HOLA SOY DE HONDURAS,
    DESDE MUY NIñO RECUERDO MI PASION POR LOS AVIONES
    MI MADRE NO ME DEJO INGRESAR A LA FUERZA AEREA DE MI PAIS.
    ME GUSTARIA OBTENER UN PLANO PARA LA CONSTRUCCION DE UN AVION EXPERIMENTAL COMO LOS DE USTEDES. ESPERO UNA RESPUESTA SATISFACTORIA.
    SOY DE HABLA HISPANO USE TRADUCTOR.

  • @bober121
    @bober121 4 роки тому +1

    Why Ben has gun?

  • @blakejake9618
    @blakejake9618 5 років тому +1

    What is the song name? I can’t find it anywhere please help!

    • @cedricgarnier8641
      @cedricgarnier8641 5 років тому +5

      It's Queen of Art by James Forest. Cheers from France, man

  • @andrewwhyte3376
    @andrewwhyte3376 4 роки тому

    Does anyone know the name of the song playing in the intro?

  • @torbenhellborn3175
    @torbenhellborn3175 9 місяців тому

    does it HAVE to be so predictible

  • @airmackeeee6792
    @airmackeeee6792 5 років тому +2

    So do they have to fly their own fuel in?

    • @BetterAircraftFabric
      @BetterAircraftFabric 4 роки тому +2

      yes, sure! NPS does not allow them to use a sled behind a tractor in the winter on the ice of the river to haul in fuel or other stuff, so everything has to be flown in... Regards from Alaska.

    • @airmackeeee6792
      @airmackeeee6792 4 роки тому

      @@BetterAircraftFabric Thanks mate!

  • @MikhailProskalov
    @MikhailProskalov 5 років тому +4

    They have a dream jobs...

  • @garyvoigt5090
    @garyvoigt5090 Рік тому

    Ready to go dude. Talks like a kid. 😂😂😂 to proud of himself in front of the camera...😅😅😅

  • @EdBender
    @EdBender Рік тому

    These people are living the dream... well, too late for me now, maybe in a next life.
    However, I must point out the 45acp is a poor choice of defense against grizzly bears. It´s a slow, fat projectile with little penetration on tough-skinned animals. I'd choose a 44mag revolver as the minimum. The grizzly is a beast.

  • @MICHAEL_1989
    @MICHAEL_1989 5 років тому +1

    MR• B•G• ANDREWS TRUE AK• WILDERNESS • 😘~ on your forhead•♡x

  • @TheDrywallogist
    @TheDrywallogist 4 роки тому +4

    45 auto is not grizzly bear protection.

    • @kenhurley4441
      @kenhurley4441 4 роки тому

      I'd look at a 10mm, 44 mag, or even a couple of gernades!

    • @dadams8086
      @dadams8086 4 роки тому

      @@kenhurley4441 Bazooka!

  • @Vaw.
    @Vaw. 4 роки тому +11

    2:12 keeps that mf thang on him🙏😤

  • @Flying_Snakes
    @Flying_Snakes 4 роки тому

    Be safe and hopefully no bears hug the cubs!

  • @おとはまちゃん
    @おとはまちゃん 2 роки тому

    寒いからね1発でエンジンかかりませんね❗

  • @jrdeckard3317
    @jrdeckard3317 5 років тому +1

    If that engine quits in the air, or won't start out in the bush, the pucker factor would be quite high.

  • @wild_goose_0285
    @wild_goose_0285 4 роки тому +3

    As they say, 9mm kills the body but .45 ACP (.45 Auto) kills the soul.
    We don't them bears comin' back as zombies.

  • @explorewithme4707
    @explorewithme4707 3 роки тому

    I don’t think there is much land that is somewhat accessible. That hasn’t been explored at some point. 100’s of years could have gone by tho.

    • @vickimeyers2672
      @vickimeyers2672 2 роки тому

      Look up how many acres comprise Alaska then compare that number to the state's population. May give you a better idea as to how much of my home state has yet to be explored.

  • @_r3verie
    @_r3verie 4 роки тому

    my dream job. if not, I want to own a bush plane, and get a license