This publication celebrates the 100th anniversary of Alaskan aviation that is unique both in the world of geography and flying, illustrating the changes flying brought to life on the ground in the course of history.
The passion for flight has seized Alaska flyers—and those who yearn to fly to the Last Frontier—since 1913, when the first biplane arrived in crates via steamship and paddle-wheeler. In the decades to follow, Alaska’s skies buzzed with aircraft—some brand-new, others patched together, and still others lovingly restored to their original beauty. Alaska’s Bush Planes offers a brief history of flight in Alaska, then transports the reader on a visual journey with favorite aircraft, some of which have served for decades. It’s a perfect book for the pilot—or the pilot wannabe—who dreams of flying in the Northland.
Flying a small plane to Alaska is an adventure many pilots only dream of. In 2008, the author, a student pilot, and his brother, a flight instructor, embarked on this adventure in an airplane old enough to be their mother. On their journey, they examined how to fit twelve feet eight inches worth of grown men into one of the smallest cockpits on earth--for as many as eight hours a day. They visited places they had planned on going, to see friends and relatives, and made unintended stops in places they hadn’t ever heard of. They waited out weather, waited on maintenance, and wrapped the whirlwind of learning to fly into one of the grandest cross-country trips imaginable. In the end, they covered in two weeks what takes commercial air carriers only a few hours to accomplish--but they had a lot more fun--and a much better view.
On January 31, 2000, Alaska Airlines, Flight 261, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, was on its way from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to Seattle, Washington, when suddenly the horizontal stabilizer of the plane jammed. While passengers were praying for their life, Captain Thompson and First officer Tansky tried to make an emergency landing in Los Angeles. They did not make it, the plane suddenly crashed into the Pacific Ocean, killing all 93 people aboard. The NTSB concluded that the failure of the horizontal stabilizer was caused by insufficient maintenance. In other words the crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 could have been avoided.
On March 12, 1948, Northwest Airlines Flight 4422, a DC-4 with a crew of six, carrying twenty-four merchant marines from Shanghai to New York, crashed high up on Alaska's Mt. Sanford. Air reconnaissance flights spotted the remains of the plane, but the site was too remote for recovery teams. Rumors that the plane had been transporting gold and diamonds enticed treasure hunters to the mountain, but life threatening conditions kept them from reaching "Alaska's Legendary Gold Wreck." Flight of Gold is the first-person account of commercial airline pilot and mountain climber Kevin McGregor, who with pilot Marc Millican, attempted to solve the mystery of the reputed treasure. After four years of near-obsessive efforts, they made two startling discoveries: One led them into leading-edge forensics and the other gave substance to the treasure rumor.
Moon Travel Guides: Make Your Escape! Remote, wild, and all-around otherworldly, Alaska promises unforgettable adventure. Discover the heart of "The Last Frontier" with Moon Alaska. What you'll find in Moon Alaska: Strategic itineraries for every budget and timeline, whether you have a week to hit the top sights or a month to explore the whole state Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout, plus a full-color foldout map Curated advice for outdoor adventurers, history buffs, culture mavens, road-trippers, wildlife enthusiasts, and more Must-see attractions and off-beat ideas for making the most of your trip: Embark on a guided active glacier hike, explore ice caves, or take an intrepid "flightseeing" tour to secluded glacier landings in Denali National Park. Experience the thrill of spotting wild bears, moose, or even walrus, or catch a glimpse of sea otters and humpback whales on a boat tour of the spectacular Kenai Fjords. Hike through lush wilderness or along pristine beaches, kayak on tranquil sounds or secluded lakes, or camp under the crystal-clear stars. Learn about Alaska's native cultures and quirky small towns, savor a freshly-caught seafood dinner, and discover the best spots to witness the enchanting northern lights Honest advice from Anchorage local and outdoor aficionado Lisa Maloney on when to go, what to pack, and where to stay, from campsites and hostels to B&Bs and resort fishing lodges How to get there and get around by plane, train, ferry, cruise ship, or guided tour Recommendations for families, LGBTQ+ travelers, seniors, international visitors, and travelers with disabilities Thorough background on the culture, weather, wildlife, local laws, history, and health and safety With Moon Alaska's local insight, myriad activities, and expert advice, you can plan your trip your way. Full list of coverage: Juneau and Southeast Alaska, Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska, Denali, Fairbanks, and the Interior, Kodiak and Southwest Alaska, the Arctic Can't get enough of Alaska? Try Moon Anchorage, Denali & the Kenai Peninsula. Headed to Canada? Try Moon Vancouver & Canadian Rockies Road Trip or Moon Banff National Park.
On January 1 of 2016, Stefanie Payne, a creative professional working at NASA Headquarters, and Jonathan Irish, a photographer with National Geographic, left their lives in Washington, D.C. and hit the open road on an expedition to explore and document all 59 of America's national parks during the centennial celebration of the U.S. National Park Service - 59 parks in 52 weeks - the Greatest American Road Trip. Captured in more than 300,000 digital photographs, written stories, and videos shared by the national and international media, their project resulted in an incredible view of America's National Park System seen in its 100th year. 'A Year in the National Parks, The Greatest American Road Trip' is a gorgeous visual journey through our cherished public lands, detailing a rich tapestry of what makes each park special, as seen along an epic journey to visit them all within one special celebratory year.
LASKA FLYING: Surviving Incidents and Accidents encompass many short stories about Jake's experiences gained from 1967 to the present as a pilot in Alaska. Though he logged time as pilot in command in other parts of the world, including Southern Rhodesia, Namibia, Australia, Bolivia, Hawaii, Arizona and other locations, the stories in this collection relate exclusively to Alaskan flying.
On February 5, 1954, an Air Force C-47 broke apart over the Susitna Valley of South Central Alaska and fell onto Kesugi Ridge. Six miraculously escaped, survived bone-chilling cold, and were rescued through the efforts of pilots Cliff Hudson and Don Sheldon. Unacquainted with one another before the accident, the Air Force men bonded in the hospital. Forty-two years later, the survivors and their families, the families of the victims, and rescuers came together for a reunion in Dayton, Ohio. It was a meeting that would change their lives. This is a true story, told by one of the survivors. Rupert Pratt's book celebrates life and friendship--themes set appropriately against the backdrop of Kesugi, "The Ancient One."