Interview: Alaska Bush Pilot Will Johnson | Coffee In A Hangar Podcast - Ep 5

06/28/24 • 89 min

Welcome to the Coffee and a Hanger podcast! In this episode, we have the incredible Will Johnson, who left a stable engineering job at Westinghouse Corporation in the 1980s to become a bush pilot in Alaska. Will shares thrilling stories from his time flying over the vast Alaskan wilderness, including a daring rescue mission in the Bering Sea. Will talks about his early days as a green pilot, learning the ropes the hard way, and using his ingenuity to navigate challenging situations. One such story involves rescuing a man with a ruptured hernia from a boat 150 miles out in the Bering Sea. With faulty navigation equipment and deteriorating weather conditions, Will managed to land his plane on rough seas and execute a risky transfer of the patient using a survival suit and a rope. Join us as Will recounts the adrenaline-pumping moments, like his first failed landing attempt in rough waves and the challenges of dealing with dead batteries in the middle of the ocean. Hear about his creative dispatching techniques, including the innovative way he transported passengers and cargo to and from the fishing fleets, and his unforgettable encounters with various characters along the way. From navigating ocean currents to performing midair emergency maneuvers, Will’s experiences offer a unique glimpse into the life of a bush pilot in one of the most remote and rugged environments on Earth. Tune in for an episode filled with adventure, humor, and the valuable lessons learned from a lifetime of flying. Enjoy the episode and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more amazing stories on the Coffee and a Hanger podcast!

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From Plane Crashes To Bear Attacks - Rob Carleson's Story | Coffee In A Hangar Podcast - Ep 4

At the age of six years old Rob Carleson was dropped off at a remote cabin in the foothills of the Alaska Range with his step-grandmother. In this video, he recalls the incredible stories of survival, subsistence, and the unique state of off-airport aviation that persisted during his childhood.

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Wisdom from a 95-Year-Old Alaska Bush Pilot | Coffee In A Hangar Podcast - Ep 6

🛫 **Support Our Channel**: Visit [Sport Aircraft Seats](https://www.sportcraftseats.com) for custom aircraft seat upholstery kits. Perfect for enhancing your flying experience! Today, we sit down with Ron Hayes, a 95-year-old Alaska bush pilot with nearly 70 years of flying experience. In this episode, Ron shares his incredible stories and invaluable knowledge about bush flying in Alaska. From guiding polar bear hunts in the Arctic to flying through dangerous conditions during the Cold War, Ron's tales are nothing short of legendary. We dive deep into his early years of learning to bush fly in the rugged Alaskan terrain, mastering STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) techniques in Cessna and Super Cub planes. Ron recounts hair-raising experiences like landing on steep slopes, performing STOL takeoffs and landings in narrow canyons, wrecking super cubs and float planes, running out of fuel over the Bering Sea at night, and getting caught in bad weather. Ron also talks about his mentor, Lee Holland, and the critical lessons he learned about mountain flying, slow flight, and off-airport operations. Hear about his harrowing encounters with the Russian military during the Cold War, his expertise in polar bear hunting, and how he navigated through low visibility conditions with early navigation technology. If you're passionate about flying, bush planes, Alaska's rich history, or want to learn how to fly a plane and land in extreme places, this episode is for you. Join us as Ron Hayes shares his wisdom, captivating stories, and the realities of being an Alaska bush pilot. 🔑 *Keywords:* airplane, plane, Cessna, Super Cub, flying, STOL, STOL takeoff, STOL landings and takeoffs, bush plane, bush pilot, bush flying, pilot, how to fly a plane, Alaska, Alaska Bush Pilot, Alaska History, Cold War, hunting, polar bear hunting, slow flight, off-airport, airplane crash, flying IFR, Alaska. 📺 *Subscribe* to our channel for more amazing stories and insights from legendary pilots like Ron Hayes. Don't forget to like, comment, and share this video with fellow aviation enthusiasts!