A Way of Life

Friendly competition exists within Ketchikan's aviation industry, yet there is sense of community in the air. Companies form close relationships with their regular customers and stay up to date with their lives. Many within the industry have worked together over the years and can recognize each other's voices over the radio. Most importantly they can depend on each other in times of need. They face the same challenges; sharing both in each other's successes and sorrows.

Whether it was bringing a logger to a float camp, a traveling nurse visiting her patients or providing a charter to a family headed to a cabin, aviation has been a way of life in Ketchikan for nearly a century.

The once huge fishing fleet is smaller now, the dozen or more canneries are reduced to only a few, and the iconic Spruce Mill downtown, the Ketchikan Pulp Company in Ward Cove, and the patchwork of logging camps have disappeared. While natural resource-driven industries have withered, aviation has adapted to new opportunities like tourism. As the State grapples with funding the ferry system, again aviation will be challenged to adapt to serve residents and visitors.

Regardless of the changes that our community faces, there will always be the need to transport essential supplies, provide access for recreation, and support industries in their daily work. The many people involved in the aviation industry will continue to meet that demand.

"Our community relies on aviation and the future of it."

- Ryan McCue, Alaska Seaplane Tours

Additional sections featured in this exhibit

• Transforming Transportation
• Learning to Fly
• Women in Aviation
• Unsung Heroes
• Thank You Panel