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Winging It!
Pioneer Alaskan aviator Jack Jefford tells of rescues, crackups, and wild adventures that come in a lifetime of flying in Alaska.
319 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 12, 2024
Jack Jeffords caught the flying bug as a young man in Nebraska and became one of those between-the-world-wars barnstormers or mail pilots, or any other task that required him to enter a rickety cockpit and launch into the blue. Through his network, he was invited to join a small aircraft company in Nome Alaska and relocated there in 1937, recording “I got to Alaska worse than broke. I was a few steps ahead of a hot check!” After three years of flying out of Nome, Jeffords was hired by the Civil Aviation Authority—the forerunner of the FAA—moved to Anchorage, and within two yeas became their chief pilot a job he held for over 30 years until 1972.
The present book is a collection of his memories of flying in the difficult and undeveloped environment of Alaska. They were compiled by his daughter but all are in first-person which provide a very personal, poignant, often hilarious picture of Alaskan aviation in its early years. The include stories of bad weather crashes (including one of his own), daring rescues in awful weather, creative ideas for when and where one could land an airplane, gold rushes, the building out of Alaskan aviation infrastructure during World War II, and the emerging jet age in Alaska. It’s a fascinating picture.
One favorite episode (you’ll have to read the rest for yourself): Jefford’s account of riding in a pickup truck across a bridge when the front of the bridge collapsed, throwing him against the windshield, resulting in a bad cut to his head which was bleeding badly. His partner went for help, but in Jeffords’ words: “I sat there awhile, and the bleeding gradually slowed. I didn’t feel too bad, except that my right eye was swollen shut…’To hell with waiting,’ I thought and started walking slowly toward the gravel highway…I figured I should get medical attention as soon as possible so I decided to fly back to Anchorage and see a doctor.” So Jack Jeffords, chief pilot of the CAA in Alaska, headed back solo to Anchorage with one eye swollen shut and a bad head bleed. On his way, he radioed ahead and told his crew “I have an injured man on board!” One can imagine how surprised they were in Anchorage to discover that the “injured man on board” was Jeffords himself.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, highly recommended.
The present book is a collection of his memories of flying in the difficult and undeveloped environment of Alaska. They were compiled by his daughter but all are in first-person which provide a very personal, poignant, often hilarious picture of Alaskan aviation in its early years. The include stories of bad weather crashes (including one of his own), daring rescues in awful weather, creative ideas for when and where one could land an airplane, gold rushes, the building out of Alaskan aviation infrastructure during World War II, and the emerging jet age in Alaska. It’s a fascinating picture.
One favorite episode (you’ll have to read the rest for yourself): Jefford’s account of riding in a pickup truck across a bridge when the front of the bridge collapsed, throwing him against the windshield, resulting in a bad cut to his head which was bleeding badly. His partner went for help, but in Jeffords’ words: “I sat there awhile, and the bleeding gradually slowed. I didn’t feel too bad, except that my right eye was swollen shut…’To hell with waiting,’ I thought and started walking slowly toward the gravel highway…I figured I should get medical attention as soon as possible so I decided to fly back to Anchorage and see a doctor.” So Jack Jeffords, chief pilot of the CAA in Alaska, headed back solo to Anchorage with one eye swollen shut and a bad head bleed. On his way, he radioed ahead and told his crew “I have an injured man on board!” One can imagine how surprised they were in Anchorage to discover that the “injured man on board” was Jeffords himself.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, highly recommended.
March 30, 2008
I really enjoyed reading this book. I love Alaska and found while I was there that flying is still a way of life; there are still many villages that can only be reached by airplane. Jefford is a true aviator and bush pilot. He started when flying was relatively new and continued into the so-called jet age. My copy of the book was inscribed by his daughter Carmen, who wrote the foreword to the book. She lists him as being the greatest story-teller. I agree, he is one of the greatest story tellers that I have read. Amazing things can happen to many people but Jefford tells them superbly and captivates the reader. I enjoyed the flow of the stories; they seemed natural. After reading the book, I feel like he is in the room and wish as much. The only drawback of the book is that his family-life is not mentioned other than relates to flying. That may have been the author's intent but I would have enjoyed not only reading about his family but to see how they related to his flying life. All in all, this is a great book of flying and one man's dreams; dreams that many of us share.
August 26, 2012
I normally am not a fan of aviator books even though I do enjoy flying and it is my current career. However I haven't been able to put it down. I think that is also because much of my experience is based in Alaska. I'm not certain if someone from the lower 48 would enjoy this quite as much without reading it with a detailed map of the state next to them. It is also a good book for a history buff...well written with good stories.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews