I like how half of these bush planes are also kit planes. Since most bush pilot operations are practically owner operated, it's nice to do most of your own aircraft maintenance on them. Their simplicity also means that in an emergency out in some remote area that bush pilot is not stranded for long. Additionally a bush pilot has a buddy who knows how to assist him out in the middle of nowhere with an extra set of hand, parts and fuel.
Forgot to mention any of the ubiquitous working bush planes that have been carefully selected by operators over more than a half century as the most appropriate machines for the rigors of serving vast regions of wilderness. The majority of working aircraft in the north country and around the world are Beavers, Otters, PA-18s PA-12s, Cessna 180/185, Cessna 206, and Helio Couriers. There are not many current production aircraft that are favorites among bush pilots. The legacy fleet serves as the backbone of bush operations throughout the world.
My brother had a bush operation in western Alaska for 25 years. He had about 30,000 hours of bush time. The number of pilots in Alaska with those kind of hours could sit at a very small table. His fleet had mostly Cessna 207 aircraft. However .......on a whim he bought a S35 Bonanza. Painted it jet black, and all the lettering was gold. He swore it was the best bush plane . Really fast compared to standard bush planes, was better in severe crosswind takeoffs from dirt strips, withstood icing better, and was better at evading bad weather . He loved that plane !!! Plus the Eskimos who flew in were blown away. Instead of being in a noisy bush plane, they now were sitting in leather seats in a quiet plane........ So of course when people called for a charter, they always requested " the black plane"........
The number of pilots with that amount of hours is exactly zero. 30k hours in 25 years means more than 3.25 hours per day, every day, every, single, day, for the whole 25 years.
For anyone interested, or in South Africa, there is a very affordable Kitfox style home built called The Bush Baby. It’s fitted with anything up to a Rotax turbo and is Dacron covered with spoilerons. Great short field plane classed as microlight (Experimental). To me, it’s either the cub or Kitfox. They don’t give you Trent Palmer performance, but heeps of fun, safely, on a budget. 👍
If I were to build a plane for this purpose I would get a Bearhawk Patrol kit. The combination of reasonable speed (140-150mph), great range (650-750 miles with reserve) depending on power and stall speed in the range of 35-40 mph is spectacular. I met Barrows at Oshkosh in 2012 and he really impressed me as super competent.
That's a great combination of characteristics for a bush plane. However, the truth is, there is no universal answer. Why? Mostly because different bush pilots have different priorities. Trying to optimize more than one (or two) characteristics can be difficult ... very difficult. Another characteristic is cost! If you can spend a million bucks you can optimize more. I really love to optimize for slow speed ... so I can land in tiny little spots with very rough and uneven terrain. But at some point you have to ask yourself ... gee, should I just buy a tiny helicopter? Seriously. You're definitely gonna give up range! But what can I say??? For me, that's a truly problematic question ... partly because I'm a small airplane pilot with no helicopter training. Personally, I especially love being able to fly, land (and takeoff) at very low speeds (on very uneven/rough terrain like mountain ridges and such). Other bush pilots attach more importance elsewhere.
I'm an old dog I guess. Interesting choices, aside from the M7, but I've logged a lot of bush flying in interior Alaska and I'd go back to my tried and true 185 every time.
Imo Best bush planes are these 1-DH BEAVER 2 -Cesna 185 3-Helio courier 4-Cesna Caravan Now those are serious workhorses able to haul some decent loads
These are top 5 lightweight playthings, like ATVs for air. Real bush planes such as Norseman, Beaver and the Otters did and still do haul serious freight. Perspective is everything
My F19 could carry two adults with moderate luggage and survival gear and would take off in 150' a 500' altitude and depending on winds would fly 400+ miles @ 95-100 mph. God, I miss that plane.
Mike, there were no CH750 shown in your video. You showed the CH750SD three seater, not the CH750 two seater, whilst the STOL takeoffs were by a different aircraft again, the CH701SP.
Best 5 bushplanes of the world! Expecting competion winning aircraft, maybe with coment of the pilot/builder getting a ad for a list... " best standard bush planes you can buy of the shelf" would have been a more fitting title
Mojo, you are going to get hundreds of comments from those who question your pick of the best five - but I think you have an almost perfect list. I am not as sure about the order, but I will take your rankings over mine any day because you know your stuff! 👍
The Aviat Husky and American-Champion Scout would be good runner-ups, and could have replaced the Z-750 and Kitfox if you didn’t want to include LSAs. :)
Mike. Of course we all realize this sort of thing is just a matter of opinion. I’ve flown my plans built Experimental J-3 across the Cascades to the Idaho back country and other cross country trips into Oregon from 3W5. It’s a long slow flight, and after about two hours my knees lock up, but cross country is possible in the J-3. Not much room to stow gear, so traveling light is a must. It’s a true experience.
I flew a KR2 15 years with a VW and it was demanding of at least 2500 ft runways. A bush plane would be really fun and utilitarian. Now the Norden Savage and another Ziln Shock Ultra are really something.
GUYS, I'VE BEEN WANTING TO FLY FOR A LONG TIME NOW... BUT WHAT TO BUY... I'VE LOOKED INTO POWERED PARA WINGS, ULTRA LIGHTS, EVEN GYROCOPTERS, BUT THEY'RE ALL TOO LIMITED FOR MY TASTE... THIS VIDEO HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER FOR ME... I'VE GOT TO HAVE A PIPER SUPER CUB... ANY AIRCRAFT THAT CAN TAKE OFF AND LAND IN 50 FEET OF RUNWAY IS FOR ME... THANKS FOR POSTING THIS VIDEO... YOU'VE COMPLETELY CHANGED THE WAY I THINK ABOUT AIRCRAFT...
I had the Kitfox as first partly because of its low entry price. For the same price you pay for an 80 yr old Piper cub, you can find a nice Kitfox with better utility and performance.
MojoGrip, The Kitfox is a great plane for the price, but the highlander (at least a highly modified one) was my introduction to aviation so it will always be my favorite. Keep up the list video's!!
Without wanting to spoil anyone's party, didn't you forget the real "Grandfather" of them all? The plane built using the input of hundreds of "bush pilots?" It was designed and built in the 40s, and you still have fleets of them flying, both in the US and in Canada (it's Home and native land). Alaska wouldn't be the same without it, and it is Harrison Ford's favourite plane.
good info,, here,,, thx do you think that the cheap kitfox able to fly and land in Alaska tough terrain ?? safe ?? and any good company out there to build it,,??? I can not do it on my own,,, thx,, again,,
@@davesautorepair22 Hoy, Nooo my flying days are done. I started flying general aviation in high school, the mid 70's. I remember seeing a kitfox in Lakeland Fl, EAA about 1985. Thought it would be a nice plane to own. Glad to see the design is still kicking butt. Also the Pitts, remember when you first saw a Aerobatic Pitts! Another long lasting design.
Mike, great vid and yes, the Kitfox rocks! They just need to ditch the rotax for something modern (fuel injected and water cooled) that is affordable and more reliable than the old tech rotax
Although it’s not very common. I have a pipistrel virus sw, tailwheel aircraft with a rugged spring tailwheel, and can be equipped with larger tundra tires. It cruises at 130-140knots and stalls T about 38knots.
You missed one of the best low cost bush planes ! The taylorcraft , performs better all around than any CUB of equivalent horsepower and was designed by the same person
my 1948 T-Craft still flies well. carries much more than it's "supposed" to, and is super easy to work on and very inexpensive to operate. I've been using it over 30 years. and yes, it performs well enough on floats, also.
What I hate about owning a plane are the Fixed cost of renting a Hangar for the life of the Ownership. But I do love that the Kitfox can be trailered to your nearest 300 feet runway :)
@@mattwalsh9278 a mill if you put in a lot of the work yourself like Mike did. Probably closer to 2 mills if you were to pay someone to customize a Wilga for you
agreed. the added value of building a machine like that definitely ups the price tag. all mechanics and gearheads know that their creations are worth more than the sum of it's parts
Thanks Mike, I can always rely on you to give the specs of the aircraft where others just " hide their heads in the sand" on. Thats why I love your channel.
View of an Alaskan bush operator part135: you don’t mention the favored bush planes and that’s a shame. The planes mentioned do not appear rugged or capable enough for a sustained, profitable and safe Alaska common carrier (bush) operation. Look instead to Cessna 180 - 185, DHC Beaver, or Otter, Cessna 207 or turbo 207. Of these, most acknowledge the 185 or Beaver. Floats as an option is a must. Stay away from tricycle gear on beach landings or rocket terrain.
For anyone who doubts the J3 as a "bush" plane, read up on some of Mort Mason's books about the true "bush pilot" era in AK where people used J3s and Champs every day. A bit more "modern" era series is CloudDancer's Alaskan Chronicles, features more of 180s and 185s. Cheers!
Love your channel! But I think you may have missed one of the best Bush Planes. I would love to see a report by you on the Just Aircraft SuperStol and Highlander! Thanks Again Mike!
If you can cope with a cramped cockpit the ch701 is better than the ch750! The Groppo Trail is a modern tandem seater Piper Cub alternative as is the RansS7. Murphy offer some good Bush planes. The Just Highlander deserves a mention too! The Australian Hornet STOL is a worthy contender. If you like wood, Mini-Max and Fisher Flying Products have options in the category too. The Bestoff SkyRanger is a surprisingly capable bush plane as is the X-Air Hanuman. Finally, pusher configurations open up options like Quicksilver, the CGS Hawk and so on all of which get airborne fairly quickly. The choices are endless.
I would have included the aviat husky instead of one of the kit models, except you chose the really good kit models... Well, that's what happens when you make a top 5 list...
This probably should have been a top 10 list. Depending on who you ask, a "real" bushplane has to carry stuff too. The workhorses of Western Alaska are the Cessna 180, 185, 206, and 207, true blue collar everyday working airplanes. I'll add the 182 to that list as I fly a straight tail version with a STOL kit and other mods all over the YK Delta of AK and absolutely love it! It's an extremely capable "bush" plane properly set up and in the right hands. 😉 Nothing against anything else on the list. Super cubs are in fact super, and Maules have always been a dream airplane of mine.
I’m excited just finding out the feasibility of owning a bush plane. Didn’t know that they are actually affordable like a car. Thx
That's why I am attracted to them too
I like how half of these bush planes are also kit planes. Since most bush pilot operations are practically owner operated, it's nice to do most of your own aircraft maintenance on them. Their simplicity also means that in an emergency out in some remote area that bush pilot is not stranded for long. Additionally a bush pilot has a buddy who knows how to assist him out in the middle of nowhere with an extra set of hand, parts and fuel.
Forgot to mention any of the ubiquitous working bush planes that have been carefully selected by operators over more than a half century as the most appropriate machines for the rigors of serving vast regions of wilderness. The majority of working aircraft in the north country and around the world are Beavers, Otters, PA-18s PA-12s, Cessna 180/185, Cessna 206, and Helio Couriers. There are not many current production aircraft that are favorites among bush pilots. The legacy fleet serves as the backbone of bush operations throughout the world.
When I think of bush planes, I think of the working airplanes you described, not the expensive toys in this video that can’t carry much.
@@mannypuerta5086
Exactly - bush planes carry cargo. End of discussion.
Love them all!❤❤
My brother had a bush operation in western Alaska for 25 years. He had about 30,000 hours of bush time. The number of pilots in Alaska with those kind of hours could sit at a very small table. His fleet had mostly Cessna 207 aircraft. However .......on a whim he bought a S35 Bonanza. Painted it jet black, and all the lettering was gold. He swore it was the best bush plane . Really fast compared to standard bush planes, was better in severe crosswind takeoffs from dirt strips, withstood icing better, and was better at evading bad weather . He loved that plane !!! Plus the Eskimos who flew in were blown away. Instead of being in a noisy bush plane, they now were sitting in leather seats in a quiet plane........ So of course when people called for a charter, they always requested " the black plane"........
Nice! That is a lot of hours! Great information too! GwinsLodge.com Alaskan cabin rentals online. Kenai Peninsula.
30000 hours is nothing! Alaska is a shithole!
@Todd m you get trolled a lot don't you?
The number of pilots with that amount of hours is exactly zero. 30k hours in 25 years means more than 3.25 hours per day, every day, every, single, day, for the whole 25 years.
@@jwm6314 My hat can't be retarded because, exactly like you, it has no brain.
Bro, this is yet, the best video on bushplane have ever watched.
Thumbs up on the Maule - you can find used ones for under 50K. I've flown them and they are fast and versatile... in my bucket list of things to own.
Are they safe to land on mountains?
One is for sale on CL in DFW area for around 18k last I checked.
@@johnnyarana1876 heck yes they are. Having a set of STOL gear installed makes them perfect.
For anyone interested, or in South Africa, there is a very affordable Kitfox style home built called The Bush Baby. It’s fitted with anything up to a Rotax turbo and is Dacron covered with spoilerons. Great short field plane classed as microlight (Experimental). To me, it’s either the cub or Kitfox. They don’t give you Trent Palmer performance, but heeps of fun, safely, on a budget. 👍
How much is a second hand Bush Baby roughly please
I love the kitfox, i will own one someday
Nick.... Your's will be a MODEL.
U lucky dawg
Same
What is better bush planes or regular laa planes???
If I were to build a plane for this purpose I would get a Bearhawk Patrol kit. The combination of reasonable speed (140-150mph), great range (650-750 miles with reserve) depending on power and stall speed in the range of 35-40 mph is spectacular. I met Barrows at Oshkosh in 2012 and he really impressed me as super competent.
That's a great combination of characteristics for a bush plane. However, the truth is, there is no universal answer. Why? Mostly because different bush pilots have different priorities. Trying to optimize more than one (or two) characteristics can be difficult ... very difficult. Another characteristic is cost! If you can spend a million bucks you can optimize more. I really love to optimize for slow speed ... so I can land in tiny little spots with very rough and uneven terrain. But at some point you have to ask yourself ... gee, should I just buy a tiny helicopter? Seriously. You're definitely gonna give up range! But what can I say??? For me, that's a truly problematic question ... partly because I'm a small airplane pilot with no helicopter training. Personally, I especially love being able to fly, land (and takeoff) at very low speeds (on very uneven/rough terrain like mountain ridges and such). Other bush pilots attach more importance elsewhere.
The "Beaver" is the Gordie Howe of bush airplanes.
Pfsif Amen!
More like the Bill Norelco of bush planes.
Harley Davidson of the sky. Love their sound. Iconic Canadian plane.
Lol for sure. But a different class than listed in the video.
I'm an old dog I guess. Interesting choices, aside from the M7, but I've logged a lot of bush flying in interior Alaska and I'd go back to my tried and true 185 every time.
Imo Best bush planes are these 1-DH BEAVER
2 -Cesna 185
3-Helio courier
4-Cesna Caravan
Now those are serious workhorses able to haul some decent loads
Murphy Moose (with M14PF)
I want a Helio so bad!
What's about the Beaver, C-180, Draco/Wilga, Twin Otter...
no such thing as a Draco anything Wilga yes wonderful aircraft
Watch mike patey
Beaver is pretty big but an awesome fly.
Roadmaster 07 not a production aircraft and the one that was built has been destroyed
I know
These are top 5 lightweight playthings, like ATVs for air. Real bush planes such as Norseman, Beaver and the Otters did and still do haul serious freight. Perspective is everything
My F19 could carry two adults with moderate luggage and survival gear and would take off in 150' a 500' altitude and depending on winds would fly 400+ miles @ 95-100 mph. God, I miss that plane.
Trent Palmer approves this video :)
lol yes he does
get back in your pod. lmao
LMFKJO
The balanca scout is a good stol airplane. It has really good acceleration and load if you put a high pitch prop on it. It can be used to tow gliders.
Excellent presentation Mike.
Mike, there were no CH750 shown in your video. You showed the CH750SD three seater, not the CH750 two seater, whilst the STOL takeoffs were by a different aircraft again, the CH701SP.
In my heart the Beaver is still #1, now let's talk about twins so we can honor the Dash-6. Viking Airs new twin otters(-400)! Peace!
And in mine it's the AN-2
It literally has more useful load than the gross weight of most of these planes
Nice video! However, I think the best bush plane ever is the Beaver.
My first flight in brand new J3 in 1938. Soloed in one in 1954. still love that little bird
Love all STOL machine. I've been on DHC4 for 12 years
Mike, you have the best videos.
Our family MEL business owns a muale 5 with a lycoming around 300 hp and a small Kitfox
No Dehavilland Beaver?
Best 5 bushplanes of the world! Expecting competion winning aircraft, maybe with coment of the pilot/builder getting a ad for a list... " best standard bush planes you can buy of the shelf" would have been a more fitting title
Not sure what data you compiled to make these choices. For me, I'd choose a Carbon Cub/X Cub, Husky, Denali Scout, Highlander, and Kitfox
Alaskan bushmaster
G700 baby
I’m also liking the Highlanders
You must not have flown a Zenith. The zenith 701/750/801 is the only competition for the carbon cub.
Pilatus PC-6 is the king for me.
Love your vids man, Keep up the good work!
Mojo, you are going to get hundreds of comments from those who question your pick of the best five - but I think you have an almost perfect list. I am not as sure about the order, but I will take your rankings over mine any day because you know your stuff! 👍
The Aviat Husky and American-Champion Scout would be good runner-ups, and could have replaced the Z-750 and Kitfox if you didn’t want to include LSAs. :)
Really appreciate this segment. I love West Africa and have a second home there. Great info - thx 🙏🏾👍🏾💪🏾
It's all about the kitfox. Thats gonna be top dog
Mike. Of course we all realize this sort of thing is just a matter of opinion. I’ve flown my plans built Experimental J-3 across the Cascades to the Idaho back country and other cross country trips into Oregon from 3W5. It’s a long slow flight, and after about two hours my knees lock up, but cross country is possible in the J-3. Not much room to stow gear, so traveling light is a must. It’s a true experience.
I flew a KR2 15 years with a VW and it was demanding of at least 2500 ft runways. A bush plane would be really fun and utilitarian. Now the Norden Savage and another Ziln Shock Ultra are really something.
As much as I want a Cub I think I'm gonna end up with a Zenith 750. Excellent video!
GUYS, I'VE BEEN WANTING TO FLY FOR A LONG TIME NOW... BUT WHAT TO BUY... I'VE LOOKED INTO POWERED PARA WINGS, ULTRA LIGHTS, EVEN GYROCOPTERS, BUT THEY'RE ALL TOO LIMITED FOR MY TASTE... THIS VIDEO HAS BEEN A GAME CHANGER FOR ME... I'VE GOT TO HAVE A PIPER SUPER CUB... ANY AIRCRAFT THAT CAN TAKE OFF AND LAND IN 50 FEET OF RUNWAY IS FOR ME... THANKS FOR POSTING THIS VIDEO... YOU'VE COMPLETELY CHANGED THE WAY I THINK ABOUT AIRCRAFT...
Great Video, Although from personal bias I would replace the Kitfox with a Just Highlander.
I had the Kitfox as first partly because of its low entry price. For the same price you pay for an 80 yr old Piper cub, you can find a nice Kitfox with better utility and performance.
MojoGrip, The Kitfox is a great plane for the price, but the highlander (at least a highly modified one) was my introduction to aviation so it will always be my favorite. Keep up the list video's!!
Without wanting to spoil anyone's party, didn't you forget the real "Grandfather" of them all? The plane built using the input of hundreds of "bush pilots?"
It was designed and built in the 40s, and you still have fleets of them flying, both in the US and in Canada (it's Home and native land). Alaska wouldn't be the same without it, and it is Harrison Ford's favourite plane.
The Beave
Beaver
Your gonna need a thicker wallet to experience a 🦫....
You also forgot the porter. Used to get into some of the most dangerest places all over the world.
Dirt strips in Laos..... :-)
Definitely getting a Kitfox someday.
I would place the American Champion Scout even the Citabria. Definitely superior in performance and payload capacity, rugged and easy to fly
Citabria has been one of my favorite aircraft to fly so far!
CONGRATULATIONS MOJO !!!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👌🏻🍀🇧🇷
Grate videos I’ve just subscribed
Cool to see a review of the top competitors!!
Excellent commentary.
Great presentation!!
Nicely done!
Great video Mike! Subscribed!
Sweet Vid Mike!
Great video.
I would think about the Katmai from Peterson, the 182 modified with the canard and you can have a 230, 260HP or even an IO 550 300HP engine
Hey Mike, did the DH2 Beaver come up in your research? The US military love them so much that they bought 1000 of them. 😁
always did like a good Beaver
D Springer especially riding one, right?
I've loved bush planes since I saw the Movie Alaska, with his super cub. Thus I love that design. Not the j3 though.
good info,, here,,, thx
do you think that the cheap kitfox able to fly and land in Alaska tough terrain ?? safe ??
and any good company out there to build it,,??? I can not do it on my own,,,
thx,, again,,
Nice video .. what is the very last one shown taking off from a dirt patch ? 👍
Great video and overview. New sub here!!
Mike Patey's "Draco" tops my list, its a beast STOL.
"Draco" no, more. He completely destroyed it. Foolish.
Husky & Highlander belong on any short bushplane list. Bearcat would be on a top 10 list.
Great channel Mike. I hope to see you in the air some day. Fly safe brother!!
I like your style, good job. Wow the kitfox sure has evolved! Thank you.
the10thleper I own the Kitfox in this video. Are you interested in it?
@@davesautorepair22 Hoy, Nooo my flying days are done. I started flying general aviation in high school, the mid 70's. I remember seeing a kitfox in Lakeland Fl, EAA about 1985. Thought it would be a nice plane to own. Glad to see the design is still kicking butt. Also the Pitts, remember when you first saw a Aerobatic Pitts! Another long lasting design.
Hi Mojogrip! Is a bush plane like the Maule a LSA? I studying for my sport pilot lic, then my PPL later after I fly some. thanks!
Mike, great vid and yes, the Kitfox rocks! They just need to ditch the rotax for something modern (fuel injected and water cooled) that is affordable and more reliable than the old tech rotax
What are the options please
I believe I’ve purchased 15 J3Cubs and never flew in one of them. I bought them for Cabela’s stores and hung them up in the stores.
How sad is that
Can you buy me one lol
Kaneski love to, how much you got?
and the customers paid for it... maybe someday they will go bankrupt and sell the airframes
@@morganbeasley Bass Pro owns them now. Give them a call cause I know they closed some of the stores.
The Piper Cub was also used by the US army during WW2.It was called the Piper L-4 Grasshopper.It had a 65 hp engine.
Although it’s not very common. I have a pipistrel virus sw, tailwheel aircraft with a rugged spring tailwheel, and can be equipped with larger tundra tires. It cruises at 130-140knots and stalls T about 38knots.
nice video and info.
Where is the original Bushplanes! The Piper Super Cub! The DHC Beaver!
Beavers are really exspensive
Norseman too!
You missed one of the best low cost bush planes ! The taylorcraft , performs better all around than any CUB of equivalent horsepower and was designed by the same person
my 1948 T-Craft still flies well. carries much more than it's "supposed" to, and is super easy to work on and very inexpensive to operate. I've been using it over 30 years. and yes, it performs well enough on floats, also.
Perhaps you should look up the Helio courier?
Helios are hard to find
What I hate about owning a plane are the Fixed cost of renting a Hangar for the life of the Ownership. But I do love that the Kitfox can be trailered to your nearest 300 feet runway :)
DRACO! best bush plane.
Draco is a highly modified one-off derived from the Wilga, and only 23 of those were made.
Yep.. you got $1000.000 bucks lying around?? thats how much the super modified Draco cost..
@@mattwalsh9278 a mill if you put in a lot of the work yourself like Mike did. Probably closer to 2 mills if you were to pay someone to customize a Wilga for you
agreed. the added value of building a machine like that definitely ups the price tag. all mechanics and gearheads know that their creations are worth more than the sum of it's parts
th-cam.com/video/PqhI4MeCn1c/w-d-xo.html
Is the Murphy Rebel a good bush plane, too?
You totally forgot theHhighlander, far and away better than most on here and at least comperable to the cubs.
The RANS Outbound is an excellent back country aircraft and can be a kit, SLSA. Great design
"Hello and wulcome"
good video thank you..from Australia
Are all these bushplanes piston engines which are cheaper to maintain and consuming on avgas or ron92?
Hi...in case of engine failure, can this plane glide?
When I turn 18 I really wanna be a bush pilot... JUST 2 MORE YEARS!!
Better start working 😅😅
Make it happen David!
At 11??????
Do you think I’ll be able to?
@@davidlawand2805 in the states i had my pilots licence at 15 i could fly before i could drive. But that was long ago i don't know what it is now.
D Springer 16 to solo 17 for license
Thanks Mike, I can always rely on you to give the specs of the aircraft where others just " hide their heads in the sand" on. Thats why I love your channel.
all kitfox series are great but I found a series 3 on barnstormers for only $35,000 which is cheaper and much better than a j3 which are $40,000+ now
Excellent video....Great choices IMHO
View of an Alaskan bush operator part135: you don’t mention the favored bush planes and that’s a shame. The planes mentioned do not appear rugged or capable enough for a sustained, profitable and safe Alaska common carrier (bush) operation. Look instead to Cessna 180 - 185, DHC Beaver, or Otter, Cessna 207 or turbo 207. Of these, most acknowledge the 185 or Beaver. Floats as an option is a must. Stay away from tricycle gear on
beach landings or rocket terrain.
Exactly. You loose all credibility when you count a 172 as a top five "bush" plane, but don't mention 180-185s.
For anyone who doubts the J3 as a "bush" plane, read up on some of Mort Mason's books about the true "bush pilot" era in AK where people used J3s and Champs every day. A bit more "modern" era series is CloudDancer's Alaskan Chronicles, features more of 180s and 185s. Cheers!
Nice birds 🐦 🐦⬛ 😘
Love your channel! But I think you may have missed one of the best Bush Planes. I would love to see a report by you on the Just Aircraft SuperStol and Highlander! Thanks Again Mike!
If you can cope with a cramped cockpit the ch701 is better than the ch750! The Groppo Trail is a modern tandem seater Piper Cub alternative as is the RansS7. Murphy offer some good Bush planes. The Just Highlander deserves a mention too! The Australian Hornet STOL is a worthy contender. If you like wood, Mini-Max and Fisher Flying Products have options in the category too. The Bestoff SkyRanger is a surprisingly capable bush plane as is the X-Air Hanuman. Finally, pusher configurations open up options like Quicksilver, the CGS Hawk and so on all of which get airborne fairly quickly. The choices are endless.
I would have included the aviat husky instead of one of the kit models, except you chose the really good kit models... Well, that's what happens when you make a top 5 list...
what is that plane at 6:00?
Thanks for doing a Bush plane list. Why not review a Maule or Kitfox.
Great video! Thank you😎👍🏻
Hi Mike. Love uour videos. Holiday in new zealand brother. Love yo host uou and your family. G Bless
What about the Champ? Had a 46 and a 59. Both good little planes.
This probably should have been a top 10 list. Depending on who you ask, a "real" bushplane has to carry stuff too. The workhorses of Western Alaska are the Cessna 180, 185, 206, and 207, true blue collar everyday working airplanes. I'll add the 182 to that list as I fly a straight tail version with a STOL kit and other mods all over the YK Delta of AK and absolutely love it! It's an extremely capable "bush" plane properly set up and in the right hands. 😉
Nothing against anything else on the list. Super cubs are in fact super, and Maules have always been a dream airplane of mine.
Great vid Mike, Yes, Trent Palmer would agree. :)
Awesome planes 😉
What about the Beaver and also the Wilga ?
Great list!
How about the Bushcat lsa. It's a great plane made to fly in the back country of Africa.
Bushcat is a great little plane. Although it's not yet widely available here in the US