Alaska's Skyboys: Cowboy Pilots and the Myth of the Last Frontier

by Katherine Johnson Ringsmuth

Overview

This fascinating account of the development of aviation in Alaska examines the daring missions of pilots who initially opened up the territory for military positioning and later for trade and tourism.

Early Alaskan military and bush pilots navigated some of the highest and most rugged terrain on earth, taking off and landing on glaciers, mudflats, and active volcanoes. Although they were consistently portrayed by industry leaders and lawmakers alike as cowboys—and their planes compared to settlers’ covered wagons—the reality was that aviation catapulted Alaska onto a modern, global stage; the federal government subsidized aviation’s growth in the territory as part of the Cold War defense against the Soviet Union. Through personal stories, industry publications, and news accounts, historian Katherine Johnson Ringsmuth uncovers the ways that Alaska’s aviation growth was downplayed in order to perpetuate the myth of the cowboy spirit and the desire to tame what many considered to be the last frontier.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780295995083
Publisher:	University of Washington Press
Publication date:	10/01/2015
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	310
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Katherine Johnson Ringsmuth teaches history at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, and is owner of the public history consulting business Tundra Vision.

What People are Saying About This

Stephen Haycox

"This is an important book that fills a vacuum in Alaska historiography, telling how early bush pilots transitioned from lone adventurers through the first consolidated air services to today’s modern airlines. Initially chafing under FAA scrutiny, they soon recognized the need for performance standards and the safety regulations that generated consumer confidence, a critical chapter in Alaska’s aviation history."

Dan Hagedorn

"This will be a ‘must read’ book for readers interested in the evolution of flight in Alaska. Ringsmuth presented this history magnificently and thoroughly documented it."

Ross Coen

"The story of manned flight in the twentieth century is about rocketing into the future and going ever higher and faster. So why do Alaskans embrace a nostalgic past filled with daring bush pilots who stick their heads out the window to read the weather and terrain? Katherine Johnson Ringsmuth answers this important question in her fascinating and important book."

Editorial Reviews

"Ringsmuth provides a comprehensive history that follows the early days of flying through World War II, the Cold War, and the transition to commercial air travel. She artfully balances the tragedies and triumphs of flying and suggests provocatively that a flying culture emerged in the parts of Alaska that depended on bush planes. She also tactfully points out the contradiction between Alaskans who cherish their autonomy and living off the grid and the planes and technology required to do so. . . . Those interested in the personal stories of flying greats will appreciate this book."

Western Historical Quarterly - Diana L. Di Stefano

"Ringsmuth’s thoroughly engaging look at the development of this phenomenon is a fascinating peek at how uniquely American the Alaska bush pilot truly is."

Alaska Dispatch News - Colleen Mondor

Ringsmuth provides a comprehensive history that follows the early days of flying through World War II, the Cold War, and the transition to commercial air travel. She artfully balances the tragedies and triumphs of flying and suggests provocatively that a flying culture emerged in the parts of Alaska that depended on bush planes. She also tactfully points out the contradiction between Alaskans who cherish their autonomy and living off the grid and the planes and technology required to do so. . . . Those interested in the personal stories of flying greats will appreciate this book.

Western Historical Quarterly - Diana L. DiStefano

Ringsmuth’s book is as thrilling and brilliant as the skyboys she writes about. . . Skyboys lays scholarly groundwork to further explore aviation as an interpretive framework necessary for understanding Alaska’s multi-dimensional frontier history.

Alaska History - Russ VanderLugt

"Ringsmuth’s book is as thrilling and brilliant as the skyboys she writes about. . . . Alaska's Skyboys lays scholarly groundwork to further explore aviation as an interpretive framework necessary for understanding Alaska’s multidimensional frontier history."

Alaska History - Russ Vanderlugt

Ringsmuth provides a comprehensive history that follows the early days of flying through World War II, the Cold War, and the transition to commercial air travel. She artfully balances the tragedies and triumphs of flying and suggests provocatively that a flying culture emerged in the parts of Alaska that depended on bush planes. She also tactfully points out the contradiction between Alaskans who cherish their autonomy and living off the grid and the planes and technology required to do so. . . . Those interested in the personal stories of flying greats will appreciate this book.

--Diana L. Di Stefano "Western Historical Quarterly"

Ringsmuth's book is as thrilling and brilliant as the skyboys she writes about. . . . Alaska's Skyboys lays scholarly groundwork to further explore aviation as an interpretive framework necessary for understanding Alaska's multidimensional frontier history.

--Russ Vanderlugt "Alaska History"

Ringsmuth's book is something of a revelation.

--David Fox "Anchorage Press"

Ringsmuth's thoroughly engaging look at the development of this phenomenon is a fascinating peek at how uniquely American the Alaska bush pilot truly is.

--Colleen Mondor "Alaska Dispatch News"

From the Publisher