What no Fed wants to confront or discuss up here in Alaska is the number of pilots with no license and no intent of ever getting one. It has been a discussion for as long as I have lived here, 37 years and it's not getting better. Lots of guesses but most agree it is at least 30% maybe more. Insurance is out of this world but I would not dare go without. I live next to the airport I operate out of and most days I ride a bike around it for exercise so even when I am not flying or working there I'm still in the area. I could write a book of all the crazy insane operations I have seen here. Most of which the feds will never know, or care to know about. I personally know of at least 3 excellently skilled pilots whom will never have a license. This is also part of the reason aircraft insurance in Alaska in through the roof. I have also over the years identified a certain type new pilot with a license, mid twenties to early thirties with a aircraft more than twice their age, taking risk that I know are driving Insurance rates up and have a strong chance of hurting or killing them selves or others. Now put their wife or girl friend in the other seat and watch the risk level go through the roof. Call it a jaded opinion if you want but I have seen this equation countless times. This place has the ability to bring about crazy behavior under the right circumstances.