Title:
Michelle Masden
Description:
At the age of 16, Michelle Masden took her first flying lesson. Shortly after turning 17 she earned her pilot's license. In the early years of her career, Michelle aspired to be an airline pilot. While in college in 1985, Michelle visited Ketchikan and fell in love with Southeast Alaska. Seeing all of the floatplanes inspired her to switch over from the commercial airliners. In those early years, Michelle split her time commercial salmon fishing on seine boats in the summer and running an air taxi service in the Virgin Islands in the winter.
Fishing allowed Michelle to save up money for her instrument rating, commercial pilot's license, and her first airplane, a Cessna 172 on wheels. In 1993, Michelle purchased her first floatplane, a Cessna 185. From that point on she remained a year-round pilot in Ketchikan.
Michelle attributes much support to the late Jack Cousins, a Southeast Alaska pilot with over 50 years of experience. Michelle's company, Island Wings Air Service, has operated in Ketchikan since 1993.
Fishing allowed Michelle to save up money for her instrument rating, commercial pilot's license, and her first airplane, a Cessna 172 on wheels. In 1993, Michelle purchased her first floatplane, a Cessna 185. From that point on she remained a year-round pilot in Ketchikan.
Michelle attributes much support to the late Jack Cousins, a Southeast Alaska pilot with over 50 years of experience. Michelle's company, Island Wings Air Service, has operated in Ketchikan since 1993.
Collection:
Loan to Ketchikan Museums, L2020.4.19.11
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Michelle Masden
Michelle Masden