Getting around in the early days

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Navigating about Alaska was so much more challenging in the early days. The cockpits of even larger planes were sparse compared to modern aircraft. Instrumentation was compass, radio direction finders, fuel gauge, airspeed indicator, flight attitude indicator at the most, some not even that much. Today it is GPS, inertial navigation systems...things that our cell phones are supposed to disrupt. Maps had many blank spots, no google maps or satellite imagery. Pilots flew into area known only in their memories or information passed from pilot to pilot. And the weather channel and FAA were not available, you had to study the sky yourself and make the best judgement you can. There are acronyms like IFR(instrument flight rules) but early pilots joked that it meant "I follow rivers" Don't take technology for granted, navigation was different then-why were we amazed that Amelia lost her way when they relied on celestial navigation, dead reckoning, and gut feelings. Flying is safer they assure us, maybe so, maybe not. does your air crew know what to do if they lose use of technology?

IDITISKIES

At their roots

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Did ya know that Alaska Airlines has it roots in McGee Airways, a pioneer bush air service founded by

Linious "Mac"McGee in 1932. In 1934

McGee merged with competitor, Star Air Service becoming the largest airline in Alaska. They also acquired Alaska Interior Airlines of McGrath. Later in 1942 other smaller operations were added to their hanger-Lavery Airways, Pollock Flying Service and Nome based Mirow Air Service.

In May of 1944 it was made official-Alaska Star Airlines become Alaska Airlines.

Their principle competitor-Pacific Northern Airlines.