Just some good reads here...

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/content/special-series-living-legends-alaska-aviation

I was delighted to see that these folks are being recognized, and the Alaska Dispatch is doing a great job of featuring each of those pilots as time permits. Again, a great idea.

I know many of those folks, and many who are now gone west, but were never really recognized publicly while they were alive. This is a great program. Last week they featured Al Wright, who is absolutely one of the classiest guys to walk the earth, and been there and done that in aviation. A soft spoken and polite gentleman and a heck of a pilot.

Looking forward to the continuation of this series in the Dispatch.

MTV

MTV:

Do you know this guy: http://www.islandseaplane.com/about_us.html

He is a former neighboor here on Lagoon Drive. Flys a Beaver.

Agreed but not all good news Gary was a well known float pilot for 30 years in all parts of Alaska from Bettles to King Salmon.

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/v ... ed-grizzly

Gary has been moved to Harbor view Hospital in Seattle...He didn't want those Canucks working on him

8GCBC wrote:MTV:

Do you know this guy: http://www.islandseaplane.com/about_us.html

He is a former neighboor here on Lagoon Drive. Flys a Beaver.

Nope, never met him, but I've certainly heard of him many times.

MTV

Here's one I've known well for years: http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/a ... in-seybert

Orin was starting his Cold Bay operation and buying Reeve's Goose operation when I was in Cold Bay. He is absolutely a class act. One of the things Orin has always insisted upon as the airline grew is that he wanted to ensure that each village PenAir served had a GOOD, safe replacement air service in place to provide reliable service before PenAir stopped service to that community. Most airlines could care less about anything but the bottom line in the CEO's paycheck....not so with PenAir. Son Danny runs it now, and they've recently started service New York to Boston....for some reason.

In any case, great guy, and again, a very nice reminder of how important these folks have been to building the state of Alaska, and serving it's people.

MTV

That is a good one! Still fly Penn Air often.
I remember when Mark Air came in. My uncle flew for them a bit. I liked there Maroon paint scheme, but I was just a young boy.

When you posted Orin here I thought it was going to be Hudson but that's Oren. Another legend. Man what I would give to had been a pilot in those days.

Akt

Yep, both Orin and Oren have incredible histories in Alaska aviation.....and no doubt they'll do an article on Oren shortly. Both those guys could make a Widgeon sing, and that's not the easiest airplane to fly, let alone work.

MTV

aktahoe1 wrote:That is a good one! Still fly Penn Air often.
I remember when Mark Air came in. My uncle flew for them a bit. I liked there Maroon paint scheme, but I was just a young boy.

When you posted Orin here I thought it was going to be Hudson but that's Oren. Another legend. Man what I would give to had been a pilot in those days.

Akt

Here's the latest....for Oren Hudson: http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/l ... ren-hudson

MTV

Thats a real good one. If I could be a sponge on his wall and soak up some of that knowledge. 74 years of flying. I only need another 53 years...

AKT