Once you leave the civilized cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks, there is a lot of empty wilderness, loosely called the bush. Bush pilots and their planes come in all forms from many walks of life. Most mind their business and do their jobs, doing what they must to eke out a living with the airplane as the tool of their trade. Some find other activities to supplement their income, like bootlegging, or drug running, or accepting a job and just not asking any questions. Others, like Jake Snow, Janet Dawson and Gary Owens, follow all the rules, and often go above and beyond duty’s call. It is harder and less profitable to do things right, but the rewards don’t always come in the form of fame and riches. More often than you think, the selfless act of compassion in helping someone in distress will have far greater rewards than money.