Pacific Alaska Airways, a subsidiary of Pan American Airways, was formed in Fairbanks in 1932 when Pan American Airways bought Alaskan Airways from Joe Crosson. On November 13, 1934, Pacific Alaska Airways purchased Alaska Southern Airways' routes in Southeast Alaska, along with their remaining Lockheed Vega "Chichagof" (previously named "Petersburg" NC336H). In addition to the Vega, Pacific Alaska Airways purchased two other seaplanes to extend regional service, and hopefully take on a lucrative government mail contract in Southeast Alaska.

In April 1935, Pacific Alaska Airways' Vega arrived in Ketchikan with pilots Bob Ellis and Alex Holden, and mechanic Paul Brewer. In May 1935, Holden flew up Pacific Alaska Airways' Fairchild 71 seaplane to base in Ketchikan. The second Fairchild 71 was based in Juneau. Holden and Murray Stuart were assigned as pilots of the Fairchild 71s, with Ellis in charge of the Vega. Pacific Alaska Airways' big Ford 8-AT (single-engine version of the Ford Trimotor) seaplane (NC8499) mounted on huge Edo floats saw brief service in the Panhandle during this period. Both Fairchild 71s (NC119H and NC9709) and the Vega (NC336H) were kept busy during that summer, but Pacific Alaska Airways failed to get the mail contract, which proved to be a pivotal setback in losing essential subsidy. In December 1935, Pacific Alaska Airways pilots Gene Meyring and Alex Holden returned the Vega to Seattle.

On May 1, 1936, Pacific Alaska Airways resumed service in Southeast using a Fairchild 71, piloted by Bob Ellis and Paul Brewer as mechanic. Alex Holden served as Pacific Alaska Airways Manager and Traffic Agent. However, Pacific Alaska Airways suddenly decided to pull out from the region. In July 1936, Bob Ellis went on to start his own commercial seaplane business in Ketchikan, Ellis Air Transport, with Brewer in charge of maintenance. Ellis competed against Herb Munter's Aircraft Charter Service, founded the previous summer in 1935. Meyring, Holden, and Stuart transferred to fly Pacific Alaska Airways' twin-engine Lockheed 10 Electra wheel planes, flying the scheduled runs from Juneau's new airport north to Whitehorse, Fairbanks, and Anchorage. A final tidbit worth mentioning: on August 27, 1936, the former Pacific Alaska Airways floating hangar in Ketchikan became the "Headquarters of the U.S. Navy 2nd Bombing Squadron." Pacific Alaska Airways was completely absorbed by Pan American Airways in 1941.

Aircraft Specifications:
5-place and 7-place Lockheed 5C Vega Seaplane on Edo Mod. 4650 floats. 1927 High-wing monoplane design. First Flight: 7/4/27. 64 Mod. 5Cs built, 132 built (all variants). Construction: Wooden monocoque fuselage (wood ribs), laminated plywood construction, single spar cantilever wings, with fabric covered flying surfaces. Dimensions: Length: 27' 6"; Height: 8' 6" (Landplane); Wingspan: 41' 9"; Wing Area: 275 sq. ft. Weights: Standard Empty Weight: 3,153 lbs.; Gross Weight: 4,880 lbs.; Useful Load: 1,000 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 160 gal. Performance: Airspeed: 160 mph cruise, 175 mph max; Service Ceiling: 17,000 ft.; Rate of Climb: 1,100 ft. per min.; Range: 620 mi. (Note: Performance figures with NACA Cowling). Engine: Air-cooled 9 Cylinder 450 hp Pratt and Whitney R-1340 Wasp SC1. Propeller: Hamilton Standard 2-Blade Fixed-Pitch. Occupancy: Pilot: 1; Passengers: 5-7.

8-place Fairchild 71 Seaplane on Edo Mod. 5300 floats. 1927 High-wing monoplane design. First Flight: 1926. 132 built from 1928-1930. Construction: Metal tube and fabric covered airframe and wings (some made with metal skinned fuselage). Dimensions: Length: 35' 10.25"; Height: 9' 4"; Wingspan: 50'; Wing Area: 309.6 sq. ft. Weights: Standard Empty Weight: 3,168 lbs.; Gross Weight: 6,000 lbs.; Fuel Capacity: 148 gal. Performance: Airspeed: 106 mph cruise, 132 mph max; Service Ceiling: 11,000 ft.; Rate of Climb: 600 ft. per min.; Range: 817 mi. Engine: Air-cooled 9 Cylinder 420 hp Pratt and Whitney R-1340 Wasp B/C. Propeller: 2-Blade Fixed-Pitch.

Pilots:
Bob Ellis, Gene Meyring, Murray Stuart, and Alex Holden.

Mechanics:
Paul Brewer