Nine Lives Of An Alaska Bush Pilot

While the stories themselves are entertaining enough, active pilots, particularly those who fly to remote places and in difficult conditions, will find this a treasure of learning experiences from an author who tells it like it was without the usual style of pilots telling tall tales. "Nine Lives" is about the aviation that happens outside of a major airport, beyond the view of most of the public. It encompasses every kind of event from mishaps during a fishing expedition to the most heroic of rescue efforts such as saving those involved in an avalanche. Most of us would have no idea of what goes on in such operations if not for a book like this.

Excellent read by Ken Eichner. Brought back many fond memories of Alaskan years. Plus learned a great deal more about Ken & his zest for adventure. His problem solving & uplifting attitude a true gift of great Alaskan.

Very interesting story about the trials and tributes of the starting and running what became one of the largest helicopter transportcompanies in the world. They also rescued countless people from certain death and often risked (and some lost) their own lives trying to help others in trouble in the rough landscapes of Alaska and Canada- most often for no money at all. Many colorful characters.

Vielen Dank für die rasche Lieferung des tollen Buches. Es kam in sehr gutem Zustand hier an, und die Lektüre hat mich gefreut. Ich hwünschte, es folgten noch mehrere Bücher über dieses Thema nach...

Excellent Read

Very entertaining reading

I have been a military pilot for over 15 years, flying for 21. I bought Ken's book because I am switching to a career as a Helicopter Bush Pilot and hoped it may offer some useful insights. I certainly wasn't dissappointed!Ken started flying floatplanes around Alaska's Panhandle way back in the '30's, and had a pretty good time of it too, by all accounts. Any budding floatplane pilots will certainly gain plenty from reading the book - perhaps even a few grey hairs! Consequently, when the first Helo hit town, Ken could see it's potential. He developed many of the procedures first hand for operating helicopters in the Alaskan Bush - much of it by trial and error, and more than a few narrow escapes. Nine lives? I reckon he burnt up more than that in the first chapter! Sometimes he was a bit lucky. For the most part it is apparent that his instincts, finely honed over time, practise, respect for mother nature and a real passion for what makes things fly (or NOT fly!), saved both his backside and his airframe MANY times.What I didn't know when I bought the book was that Ken set up and grew TEMSCO Helicopters, from nothing. It thrives today and has thrived through the continued aviation 'bent' of both his son and now his grandson, the present boss of TEMSCO. Hat's off to that.If you are considering getting into a career in the Bush, with fixed or fling-wing Ops, I would highly recommend this book. By the time you finish you will have a far greater appreciation of the risks (and rewards) of the job, the heartbreak in losing good friends to bad parts, respect for ALL flying operations, some fascinating techniques, and a significant insight into the employers point of view in a Bush-type, aviation company. It's entertaining, and if you are passionate about your flying, it is VERY easy to relate to.Who knows, perhaps the knowledge gained from just one of the incidents in this book may save YOUR backside?!Well Done Ken - really enjoyed the ride!

I knew the pilot well and flew many hours with him in his helicopter. Kenny was a wonderful person and fabulous pilot so it was nice to have a copy of his book and to recognize some of the experiences.