Bush flying refers to aircraft operations carried out in the bush. Bush flying involves operations in rough terrain where there are often no prepared landing strips or runways, frequently necessitating that bush planes be equipped with abnormally large tires, floats, skis or any other equipment necessary for unpaved runway operation. It is the only viable way of delivering people and supplies into more difficult to reach, remote locations.
Noorduyn Norseman float plane in Alaska, 1950
Preparations for take off in the Namib Desert (2018)
Refuelling an aircraft in the field at Simplon, Namibia (2018)
"The bush" is a term mostly used in the English vernacular of Australia and New Zealand where it is largely synonymous with hinterland or backwoods respectively, referring to a natural undeveloped area. The fauna and flora contained within this area may be mostly indigenous to the region, although exotic species will often also be present.
The Australian bush
Frederick McCubbin's 1889 painting Down on His Luck shows a swagman camping in the bush. McCubbin and other members of the Heidelberg School art movement depicted the bush in many of their paintings, contributing to its mythological status within Australian culture.
New Zealand's bush is variable in appearance, but generally the term connotes densely forested areas, like this one around Lake Gunn in Fiordland.
Icons of the Australian bush: bracken, corrugated iron, eucalyptus leaves, banksia, bramble, felt hat, billy, stockwhip and elastic-side boots