Pilot loves the view from high over Arctic
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Apr 02/01) - Soaring 9,500 feet above the sea ice of Foxe Basin, Brent Este couldn't look more at home.
That sense of cool confidence comes from a lifelong dream to live in the Arctic as well as the aviator's blood that courses through his veins.
It was that combination that enticed Este north of the 60th parallel three years ago.
The Air Nunavut employee is a content man.
"It's been a lot of fun. I get to go to some pretty neat places," said Este.
Based in Iqaluit, Air Nunavut is a locally-owned charter company. That means various businesses or organizations can rent the plane and the pilot to fly them where they want to go. In a territory without roads, it's easy to understand why Este is always on the go.
While he's thrilled to fly for a charter-only company, Este said the absence of any regularly scheduled flights is both a curse and a blessing. His dinner is often left to get cold on the table or gets eaten at 3 a.m. because of call-outs.
He doesn't really mind, because the job has given him the opportunity to do some pretty remarkable international travel.
"I've been as far east as Iceland, as far north as Resolute Bay, as far west as Holman and as far south as Ottawa," said Este, a pilot for almost 12 years.
He also likes that the company he works for is relatively small. That gives him the opportunity to fly planes he maintains himself.
"I enjoy that aspect of it," said Este. "I think I'd be uncomfortable flying a plane I hadn't done maintenance on. This way, I can visualize the detailed workings of the plane."
Pleased with the challenge of navigating an aircraft in Arctic conditions, Este said without hesitation that the best part of the job was the view. He sees wildlife tracks, wildlife and the world's most austere and beautiful scenery up close on a regular basis.
"You can't beat the view," he said. "I don't know how I'd ever get bored of it."
Este must be any employer's dream come true.
Not only is he dedicated to a job he loves, he has no plans to leave it for something else. That's good news in an industry that has been actively recruiting pilots for the last few years.
"If I wanted to go to the big airlines, I would have done that. I have friends there and they're told what to wear and where to be," said Este, adding that his own aspirations had taken a different tone.
"I'd like to fly a float plane and do some kind of aerobatics at some point."
