Alaska's common bush aircraft: a brief overview

This article is here to inspire both visitors and lifelong Alaskans who haven’t yet made bush aviation part of their lives. The truth is—backcountry aviation is an option for you. It’s one of the most powerful ways to access new corners of Alaska, whether you’re flying into a remote wilderness location or taking in the unmatched, soaring vantage point of seeing Alaska from the air.

At Emerald Air Service, we believe that experiencing Alaska from above shouldn’t feel intimidating or out of reach. Understanding a few basics about common bush planes is a great first step. With a little knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right aircraft for your dream adventure—whether that’s a week-long backpacking trip in Gates of the Arctic, or a 45-minute flightseeing tour with visiting family.

Our goal is simple: to make Alaska’s wildest, most spectacular places more accessible, safe, and unforgettable for you. And with the right aircraft and the right team, the next frontier of your Alaska experience is only a flight away.

The following briefly overviews special strengths and differences between the most common, capable, single-engine bush aircraft you will find while exploring Alaska: (1) Piper Super Cub, (2) Cessna 185, (3) Cessna 206, (4) De Havilland Beaver, and (5) De Havilland Otter.

A special note

An aircraft's cruising speed and payload maximums (meaning how much weight it can carry, not counting essential gear) all vary depending on the engine type/size, the weight of the fuel, and whether the plane is on wheels, tundra tires, floats, amphibious floats, or skis. The following are estimated maximums gathered from Alaska's Department of Transportation. Get specifics from operators about their planes and take their weight limits seriously.

common bush aircraft: smallest to biggest

1. Piper Super Cub

One of the essentials qualities of a bush plane is that it can cope with short, rough runways. This requires a hardiness and power for lift. The super cub has these qualities while remaining a light and responsive little plane.

The limit of both space and weight in a Cub makes this plane most suited for a flight-see or air taxi trip for 1 passenger and a pilot. If the single passenger was wanting to be dropped off for a solo remote camping trip, they may not have enough space/weight capacity in a super cub to accommodate both their own body weight and their gear (imagine a packable/folding kayak or a bear fence and generator).

Seats, including pilot: 2

Est. Payload Maximum: 375 lbs

Est. Cruise Speed: 110 knots

Piper PA-18 Super Cub used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for law enforcement in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (equipped with tundra tires).

2. Cessna 185

The Cessna 185, or “Skywagon” was developed in the 1960s and has proven itself to be an excellent light utility plane, ideal for a few passengers or some freight transport to hard-to-access airstrips. With many of the planes that were developed in the 1950s and 60s, it seems they were designed with smaller average person in mind. While a 185 does seat 6 (including the pilot), it is a tight squeeze involving a sling bench backseat.

This is a wonderful plane for a small group of friends.

Seats, including pilot: 6, squeezed together

Est. Payload Maximum: 1,400 lbs

Est. Cruise Speed: 145 knots

Cessna 185 equipped with amphibious floats.

3. Cessna 206

Also known as the “Super Skywagon,” Cessna describes the 206 as the “sport-utility vehicle of the air.” Compared to its 185 counterpart, the 206 and shares all the same pros while being slightly heavier, having a slightly more powerful engine, and needing a little bit more room for take off and landing.

Seats, including pilot: 6, packed together but not as much as the 185

Est. Payload Maximum: 1,400 lbs

Est. Cruise Speed: 120 knots

Cessna 206 equipped with floats.

4. De havilland beaver

De Havilland is unrivaled in its lift power. Even as larger aircraft, their designs have the strength to launch off short runways—including remote gravel bars and small alpine lakes—while carrying loads that Cessnas simply cannot manage. De Havilland followed a clear philosophy: each aircraft should grow in size and capability while still being able to take off from a 1,000-foot dirt airstrip.

With their remarkable Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) performance, De Havilland aircraft have become legends in the world of bush flying. The Beaver was the first of these purpose-built workhorses, engineered to move significant payloads into rugged, hard-to-access terrain. Beavers are ideal for heavier loads and reaching secluded lakes where other aircraft can’t safely operate.

That’s exactly why we use our De Havilland Beaver for bear viewing in Alaska, especially for private small-group trips. Its power, reliability, and ability to access remote locations allow us to fly guests deep into untouched wilderness and right into the heart of world-class brown bear country—including areas of Katmai National Park that larger groups and road-based tours simply can’t reach.

Seats, including pilot: 8

Est. Payload Maximum: 1,500 lbs

Est. Cruise Speed: 133 knots

De Havilland Beaver equipped with floats.

5. de havilland otter

Substantially heavier and larger than the Beaver, the Otter offers enough room for every passenger to enjoy their own window seat, plus a spacious cabin where you can actually stretch your legs (something only the Otter on this list can claim). Built to carry impressive loads and designed for reliability in rugged terrain, the Otter is a true workhorse of the North.

Like its smaller counterpart, the Beaver, the Otter was engineered to lift large payloads off short runways—perfect for the backcountry. That’s exactly why we use our Otter for bear viewing in Alaska, flying guests deep into remote, roadless wilderness and into iconic places like Katmai National Park where world-class brown bear viewing awaits.

Seats, including pilot: 11 (including pilot)

Est. Payload Maximum: 4,000

Est. Cruise Speed: 104 knots

Two De Havilland Otters (orange) flanked by a Beaver (blue).

Adventure is out there

Alaska holds an unbelievable 393,747,000 acres of state and national park land, and some of its wildest treasures can’t be reached by road. In fact, four of Alaska’s eight national parks—including Katmai National Park—are accessible only by air, making aviation the key to unlocking some of the most untouched wilderness on earth.

Even places on the road system—like our home in Kachemak Bay—reveal an entirely new side of their beauty when you experience them from the air. From towering volcanoes to turquoise lakes to the wild coastlines bears call home, the view from above is where Alaska’s true scale comes alive.

And when it comes to bear viewing in Alaska, nothing compares to flying into Katmai National Park, home of the world-famous brown bears. Whether you’re watching them fish at Brooks Falls or roam the open tundra, this is where adventure becomes once-in-a-lifetime memory.

There is so much to do and see in this incredible state, and even if bush aviation isn’t part of your life yet, it absolutely can be. In Alaska, your next adventure is only a flight away.