Alaska
Who are you flying for currently?
I am a Utility/Charter Pilot at Evergreen Helicopters in Alaska
What kind of helicopter(s) do you fly?
Bell 206 B3, L3; Astar 350 B2, B3
What do you find unique, challenging, or fulfilling about your job?
Accepting that this amazing life is mine forever! Ok really: flying in negative 30 degree f temperatures in the winter, mountainous terrain with severe weather, unimproved landing areas, survival planning for trips into wilderness areas (being self sufficient and literally being ready to survive), making sure to make good decisions every flight: every moment of each flight; the environment is commonly changing rapidly so knowing each flight will be very different from the last one (no scheduled ‘tours’) is an invaluable asset to keep in mind to manage decision making.
What did you like best about MLH?
The family environment, the high standard of training, the amount of flight time available due to the schedule structure and the weather, the challenging weather and terrain in Hawaii, life and flying in Hawaii, the variety of the flight environment: from the vast uncontrolled spaces of the big island to the chaotic buzz of Honolulu.
Would you recommend Mauna Loa to others?
Yes, I definitely support MLH’s training methods and environment. Much of the success an aspiring pilot can achieve I believe directly spurs from two attributes: training and attitude. Fortunately, the training at MLH greatly benefits and prepares a pilot for the real world. In the 200 hours that most students experience during training; and attitude can be taught as well, which I believe that MLH also adequately demonstrates and teaches students to maintain a safe attitude that is highly desirable by respected employers in the industry.
