Roy Dickson 1930s Alaska Bush Pilot
FIRST TIME PUBLISHED
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| MORE ALASKA BUSH PILOT INFORMATION page 4 |
BERT LIEN - Came to Alaska to fly for Harold Gillam. Flew out of
Fairbanks on weather contract. Later flew mail Fairbanks - Bethel. Joined
Pacific Alaska Airways, which became Pan American. Flew 707's on the
San Francisco - Honolulu run. Died in 1966 in San Francisco.
Fairbanks on weather contract. Later flew mail Fairbanks - Bethel. Joined
Pacific Alaska Airways, which became Pan American. Flew 707's on the
San Francisco - Honolulu run. Died in 1966 in San Francisco.
JOHN H. "JOHNNY" LITTLEY - Born August 22, 1903. Partnered with Ray Petersen in 1935 in
founding Bethel Airways which closed in 1936 after both its planes crashed. Flew Fairchild 71's and
Travelair 6000's. Moved to States in mid-1940's & died Jan 8, 2004 in Vancouver, WA at age 100.
founding Bethel Airways which closed in 1936 after both its planes crashed. Flew Fairchild 71's and
Travelair 6000's. Moved to States in mid-1940's & died Jan 8, 2004 in Vancouver, WA at age 100.
AL LYLE - Came to Alaska in mid-1930's. Flew out of Copper Center and Valdez and into the 40 Mile
Country. Formed Lyle and Dorrance Airways with Ed Dorrance & after Dorrance was killed in a plane
crash in 1937 founded Lyle Airways out of Gakona, Alaska. Left Alaska early 1940's & later returned to
live in Copper Center.
Country. Formed Lyle and Dorrance Airways with Ed Dorrance & after Dorrance was killed in a plane
crash in 1937 founded Lyle Airways out of Gakona, Alaska. Left Alaska early 1940's & later returned to
live in Copper Center.
JOHN LYNN - Arrived in Alaska in mid-1930's. Flew out of Fairbanks and Nome with Northern Air
Transport and continued with Wien when Noel Wien took over that company and changed the name to
Wien Airlines. Flew commercially as a pilot on F-27's for Northern Consolidated Airlines.
Transport and continued with Wien when Noel Wien took over that company and changed the name to
Wien Airlines. Flew commercially as a pilot on F-27's for Northern Consolidated Airlines.
GORDON MACKENZIE - Born August 5, 1904. World War I RAF pilot. Barnstormed Seattle area
early 1920's. Pilot for Alaska Washington Airways when it was started. Came to Anchorage in
Mid-1930's. Was a partner with Al Jones & John Amundsen in 1937 opening Anchorage Airways flying
a Fairchild 17 & a Fairchild 42. The venture only lassted one yeara. Flew for McGee Airways, Star Air
Service, Woodley Airways, Mirow and Alaska Airlines. Flew actively out of Anchorage until late 1950's.
Joined FAA in 1958. Worked until his death in 1963, in Anchorage, of natural causes.
early 1920's. Pilot for Alaska Washington Airways when it was started. Came to Anchorage in
Mid-1930's. Was a partner with Al Jones & John Amundsen in 1937 opening Anchorage Airways flying
a Fairchild 17 & a Fairchild 42. The venture only lassted one yeara. Flew for McGee Airways, Star Air
Service, Woodley Airways, Mirow and Alaska Airlines. Flew actively out of Anchorage until late 1950's.
Joined FAA in 1958. Worked until his death in 1963, in Anchorage, of natural causes.
OWEN E. MEALS - Born Nov 19, 1891 in Nebraska. Came to Alaska with his family in 1903. Went to
Denver in 1927 where he learned to fly & bought his first plane an open-cockpit Eaglerock the "Spirit
of Valdez." Made first flights to Copper River Valley and Fairbanks in 1928. He wrecked the plane, and when Bob
Reeve arrived in Valdez looking for a job, Meals hired him to repair the plane. Reeve leased the plane & started a
charter business which was the beginning of what would ultimately become Reeve Aleutian Airways. As a Valdez
businessman, Meals was prominent both in flying and promoting aviation in that area. Died in Valdez
in December 1974.
Denver in 1927 where he learned to fly & bought his first plane an open-cockpit Eaglerock the "Spirit
of Valdez." Made first flights to Copper River Valley and Fairbanks in 1928. He wrecked the plane, and when Bob
Reeve arrived in Valdez looking for a job, Meals hired him to repair the plane. Reeve leased the plane & started a
charter business which was the beginning of what would ultimately become Reeve Aleutian Airways. As a Valdez
businessman, Meals was prominent both in flying and promoting aviation in that area. Died in Valdez
in December 1974.
RUSSEL HYDE "RUSS" MERRILL - Born Des Moines, IA 1894; grew up in Des
Moines. In 1915 enlisted in US Navy Reserve & from 1917-1921 was in the Naval
Flying Corps. He received a B.S. Degree in Chemistry from Cornell Univ in 1919. He
was again in the Naval Flying Corps from 1922 to 1925. In 1925 Merrill & Roy J.
Davis flew Davis's Curtiss Flying Boat on the first flight across the Gulf of Alaska &
became the first airplane ever to arrive in Anchorage. Merrill lost the plane in a
crash on Chugach Island on a charter flight, and Merrill & Davis returned to
Portland. When Anchorage investors formed Anchorage Air Transport in 1927 Russ
was hired as chief pilot. This was the first airline operation in Anchorage. On one of
his pioneering flights in Alaska he discovered what is now known as Merrill Pass.
Russ left Anchorage alone on September 16, 1929 in a Whirlwind Travel Air, bound
for Akiak village and was never heard from again. In October 1929 a piece of fabric
from the plane was found on Cook Inlet near Tyonek. Merrill Pass and Anchorage's
Merrill Field were named after him.
Moines. In 1915 enlisted in US Navy Reserve & from 1917-1921 was in the Naval
Flying Corps. He received a B.S. Degree in Chemistry from Cornell Univ in 1919. He
was again in the Naval Flying Corps from 1922 to 1925. In 1925 Merrill & Roy J.
Davis flew Davis's Curtiss Flying Boat on the first flight across the Gulf of Alaska &
became the first airplane ever to arrive in Anchorage. Merrill lost the plane in a
crash on Chugach Island on a charter flight, and Merrill & Davis returned to
Portland. When Anchorage investors formed Anchorage Air Transport in 1927 Russ
was hired as chief pilot. This was the first airline operation in Anchorage. On one of
his pioneering flights in Alaska he discovered what is now known as Merrill Pass.
Russ left Anchorage alone on September 16, 1929 in a Whirlwind Travel Air, bound
for Akiak village and was never heard from again. In October 1929 a piece of fabric
from the plane was found on Cook Inlet near Tyonek. Merrill Pass and Anchorage's
Merrill Field were named after him.
STEVEN E. "STEVE" MILLS - Born in Dayton, WY in 1896. Moved to Seattle
after serving in WW I. Learned to fly in Seattle & became Chief Instructor at
Washington Aircraft at Boeing Field. Came to Anchorage in 1932 partnering with
Charley Ruttan & Jack Waterworht to found Star Air Service to train student pilots.
He continued as a pilot for Star and in August 1936 was chief pilot. He and five
passengers were killed in crash above Upper Russian Lake on a charter flight to the
Russian River on the Kenai Peninsula.
after serving in WW I. Learned to fly in Seattle & became Chief Instructor at
Washington Aircraft at Boeing Field. Came to Anchorage in 1932 partnering with
Charley Ruttan & Jack Waterworht to found Star Air Service to train student pilots.
He continued as a pilot for Star and in August 1936 was chief pilot. He and five
passengers were killed in crash above Upper Russian Lake on a charter flight to the
Russian River on the Kenai Peninsula.
HANS MIROW - Born in Germany, learned to fly at Tex Rankins Flying School
in Portland, OR in 1929. Flew for National Air Transport in early 1930's. Established
Mirow Air Service out of Nome in mid-1930's. First to schedule flights between
Anchorage and Nome. Hans & his mechanic Pete Bystedt died in 1939 in crash of
Stinson Gullwing between Unalakleet and Kaltag, while searching for Fred Chambers,
one of his pilots who was forced down between Nome & Fairbanks with passengers.
The Chambers plane was later found & rescued. Mirow Air Service became part of
Alaska Star Airlines in 1942, which later became part of Alaska Airlines.
in Portland, OR in 1929. Flew for National Air Transport in early 1930's. Established
Mirow Air Service out of Nome in mid-1930's. First to schedule flights between
Anchorage and Nome. Hans & his mechanic Pete Bystedt died in 1939 in crash of
Stinson Gullwing between Unalakleet and Kaltag, while searching for Fred Chambers,
one of his pilots who was forced down between Nome & Fairbanks with passengers.
The Chambers plane was later found & rescued. Mirow Air Service became part of
Alaska Star Airlines in 1942, which later became part of Alaska Airlines.
FREDDIE MOLLER - Came to Alaska in 1901 prospecting for gold. Learned to fly to facilitate
prospecting in far North remote locations. Became known as "The Flying Prospector." Survived many
airplane crashes. Eventually went to work for Pan American as a flight mechanic and became a legend.
Died along with pilot & four passengers in crash of a Pan American Pilgram on takeoff ten miles east of
Nome in April 1944.
prospecting in far North remote locations. Became known as "The Flying Prospector." Survived many
airplane crashes. Eventually went to work for Pan American as a flight mechanic and became a legend.
Died along with pilot & four passengers in crash of a Pan American Pilgram on takeoff ten miles east of
Nome in April 1944.
AL MONSEN - Alf Nikolai "Al" Monsen born Norway, came to the U.S. in 1906.
Worked for the Alaska Railroad. Learned to fly in the 1920s. Flew for Pacific
International Airways, Pacific Alaska Airways & Pan American Airways where he flew
the Seattle-Fairbanks-Juneau route. Died in a crash on Annette Island near Ketchikan
in 1947 on his last flight before retirement. Was known to his friends as "Big Money
Monsen", & famous for his expression, "every minute counts."
Worked for the Alaska Railroad. Learned to fly in the 1920s. Flew for Pacific
International Airways, Pacific Alaska Airways & Pan American Airways where he flew
the Seattle-Fairbanks-Juneau route. Died in a crash on Annette Island near Ketchikan
in 1947 on his last flight before retirement. Was known to his friends as "Big Money
Monsen", & famous for his expression, "every minute counts."
JOHN WESLEY "JOHNNY" MOORE - Born September 18, 1907 in Eureka, CA.
Came to Alaska in 1932. Flew for Gillam in the Copper River Country, was one of
McGee's first pilots, then with Star Air Service. Managed and flew for Mirow Air
Service out of Nome after Hans Mirow was killed in 1939 until it was sold to Alaska
Star Airlines in 1942. Left Alaska in 1945 to fly for the Air Transport Command.
Returned to Alaska in 1959 & became an electrician for Chugach Electric Association.
He retired to Florence, OR in 1978, & died in Seattle May 4, 1988.
Came to Alaska in 1932. Flew for Gillam in the Copper River Country, was one of
McGee's first pilots, then with Star Air Service. Managed and flew for Mirow Air
Service out of Nome after Hans Mirow was killed in 1939 until it was sold to Alaska
Star Airlines in 1942. Left Alaska in 1945 to fly for the Air Transport Command.
Returned to Alaska in 1959 & became an electrician for Chugach Electric Association.
He retired to Florence, OR in 1978, & died in Seattle May 4, 1988.
LEO MOORE - Flew out of Anchorage to the Interior and Lower Kuskokwim. Flew first cow into
McGrath. Trip was successful, but the bull had not done his proper job, so there never was any milk for
Dave Clough's baby granddaughter. After Alaska lived in Carmichael, CA.
McGrath. Trip was successful, but the bull had not done his proper job, so there never was any milk for
Dave Clough's baby granddaughter. After Alaska lived in Carmichael, CA.
HERBERT A. "HERB" MUNTER - Born June 13, 1894. Taught himself to fly in Seattle & became
Boeing's first test pilot. In 1935 Herb formed Air Craft Charter Service out of Ketchikan which he sold
in 1941 to become a WW II Navy pilot. After the war partnered with Nick Bez to form West Coast Air
Lines & became executive VP. The airline became a part of Air West. Died in Concord, CA May 24,
1970 after a long illness.
Boeing's first test pilot. In 1935 Herb formed Air Craft Charter Service out of Ketchikan which he sold
in 1941 to become a WW II Navy pilot. After the war partnered with Nick Bez to form West Coast Air
Lines & became executive VP. The airline became a part of Air West. Died in Concord, CA May 24,
1970 after a long illness.
EUGENE A. "GENE" MEYRING - Born September 6, 1904 in Colorado. Flew for Alaska
Washington Airways, Alaska Southern Airways & Pacific Alaska Airways in Southeast Alaska in 1930s.
Later joined Pan American Airways. Retired to San Francisco where he died May 7, 1975.
Washington Airways, Alaska Southern Airways & Pacific Alaska Airways in Southeast Alaska in 1930s.
Later joined Pan American Airways. Retired to San Francisco where he died May 7, 1975.
KENNETH WAYNE "KENNY" NEESE - Born Waterloo, IA 1903; came to
Anchorage in 1932. Flew for McGee Airways and then with Star Air Lines when Star
bought McGee. Was Chief Pilot for Star. Left Alaska in 1941 to fly for Air Transport
Command ferrying bombers & transport planes between Florida, South America and
Africa. Was killed on takeoff in 1944 on his last flight before transferring to a desk job.
Anchorage in 1932. Flew for McGee Airways and then with Star Air Lines when Star
bought McGee. Was Chief Pilot for Star. Left Alaska in 1941 to fly for Air Transport
Command ferrying bombers & transport planes between Florida, South America and
Africa. Was killed on takeoff in 1944 on his last flight before transferring to a desk job.
MATT NIEMINEN - Born January 20, 1897. Flew out of Fairbanks in late 1920's.
Was active in Eielson search. In 1930 Matt took first flight without oxygen over Mt.
McKinley in a Fairchild 71 monoplane belonging to Alaska Airways, breaking the
altitude record for flying without oxygen at over 20,300 feet. In 1930 he was first to
fly into Lake Clark country in a Waco 10. Died February 1966 at Denver, CO.
Was active in Eielson search. In 1930 Matt took first flight without oxygen over Mt.
McKinley in a Fairchild 71 monoplane belonging to Alaska Airways, breaking the
altitude record for flying without oxygen at over 20,300 feet. In 1930 he was first to
fly into Lake Clark country in a Waco 10. Died February 1966 at Denver, CO.
ELBERT E. "AL" PARMENTER - Born in Iowa March 31, 1903. Barnstormed, did air racing & stunt
flying in Oregon in late 1920s. Came to Alaska to fly for Harold Gillam in mid-1930's. Flew mostly the
Valdez - Fairbanks route; later flew for Cordova Air Service, and Woodley Airways. Left Alaska before
WW II to work for Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, CA. Died April 4, 1978 at Santa Clara, CA.
flying in Oregon in late 1920s. Came to Alaska to fly for Harold Gillam in mid-1930's. Flew mostly the
Valdez - Fairbanks route; later flew for Cordova Air Service, and Woodley Airways. Left Alaska before
WW II to work for Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, CA. Died April 4, 1978 at Santa Clara, CA.
JACK PECK - Born January 25, 1915. Started flying in Valdez. Came to Anchorage then
went to Bethel and formed Peck & Rice Airways, with Wyman Rice which operated for
several years. Flew Alaska Airlines during the war years. Was chief pilot for Al Jones
Flying Service in 1947, then owned and operated Alaska Aeronautical Industries in
Anchorage & operated a Cessna dealership at Lake Hood. Died August 1978 at Soldotna,
Alaska.
went to Bethel and formed Peck & Rice Airways, with Wyman Rice which operated for
several years. Flew Alaska Airlines during the war years. Was chief pilot for Al Jones
Flying Service in 1947, then owned and operated Alaska Aeronautical Industries in
Anchorage & operated a Cessna dealership at Lake Hood. Died August 1978 at Soldotna,
Alaska.
LINIOUS "MAC" McGEE - Born 1897 in Francesville, IN. Worked in his
grandfather's bank. In 1931 with no money but anxious for adventure, stowed away
on the SS Aleutian from Seattle to Seward, Alaska. Worked for a time for A. A.
Shonebeck who was the Standard Oil dealer in Anchorage. He got into fur trading,
then bought a Stinson and started charter flying which expanded into McGee
Airways. In 1936 McGee sold the airline with his fleet of seven black & silver Stinsons
to Star Air Service and Mac managed the company for a time, then went back to
mining. Mac died in Reno, NV in 1988.
grandfather's bank. In 1931 with no money but anxious for adventure, stowed away
on the SS Aleutian from Seattle to Seward, Alaska. Worked for a time for A. A.
Shonebeck who was the Standard Oil dealer in Anchorage. He got into fur trading,
then bought a Stinson and started charter flying which expanded into McGee
Airways. In 1936 McGee sold the airline with his fleet of seven black & silver Stinsons
to Star Air Service and Mac managed the company for a time, then went back to
mining. Mac died in Reno, NV in 1988.
