I recently had the privilege of attending the Fly8ma lodge for a bushflying course and tailwheel endorsement. From day one, I was captivated by the personal approach of the highly professional flight instructors who were genuinely interested in tracking my progress. They didn't just teach; they showed me the incredible beauty of Alaska, including glaciers, mountains, and breathtaking wildlife.
What made the experience even more unique was the perfect blend of learning and sightseeing. Every lesson seemed to reveal a new aspect of the landscape, and my skillset grew along with my appreciation for the surroundings. An additional highlight was getting a sneak peek at the upcoming DC6 airplane house, which is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the lodge.
Fly8ma's offerings are more than just courses; they're once-in-a-lifetime experiences that combine learning and adventure in a way I never thought possible. Any pilot traveling to Alaska should consider this a must-do. It's an extraordinary way to grow as an aviator while immersing oneself in some of the most breathtaking...
Read moreI did the full "bush pilot" experience which involved staying on site, flying their variety of planes and getting out all over the area.
I would start by saying that Jon is a fantastic pilot - probably the best I have flown with. He was also able to teach a bunch of different things for a zero experience tailwheel pilot, ending in an endorsement.
The facility is an admirable creation of every pilot's dreams. Cabins, a bunch of planes and a private runway. It was a great variety for me. Went to a forestry service cabin, was able to stay in a more remote fishing town and got all over. I really appreciated flying the different planes to get a varied experience. Flying among the glaciers and landing in remote areas was very exhilarating (eventually doing it myself).
By the end of the 5 days, I felt a lot more confident in all aspects of back country flying. I may have been slightly better served by hammering the basics before getting out in the bush (doing your typical 10 touch and go lesson - every CFIs favorite) but...
Read moreI absolutely enjoy the training that I have received...it truly is good quality training and the best part is that they offer the basic ground School for free! Who else is doing that? Maybe a couple of other guys are too, but Fly8MA has done a great job job at posting accurate and relevant content. There videos are top notch and very professional, family friendly language as well!! I don't have to worry about my four year old repeating some colorful phrase he just heard from the guy on the video. Thanks for your commitment to making aviation available to the other 80% of...
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