Glacier Pilot

by Beth Day

Second Library copy- San Diego Air and Space Museum

Genres: Aviation, Nonfiction

348 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Pennywise just needs snuggles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ended up enjoying this book more than I thought possible!

I highly recommend it!

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for those readers interested in the pioneering of aviation in Alaska and early Alaskan territorial days. Then there are the stories, which you might think were fabrications they are so amazing, but there were always the passengers that attest to the seat of his pants flying that Reeve completed. Like many tales from Alaska of characters larger than life this biography of Bob Reeve is all of that. From flying onto glaciers to service high mountain mines to flying onto river banks, mud flats, frozen lakes, and beeches, Bob Reeve did it all. Few pilots have flown as much of Alaska as Bob Reeve and I hardly recommend this book.

[Andrew Pergiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! Bob Reeve was a adventurer and a git-er-done sort of guy. Never knew about him or his ilk before picking this up. I liked the technical aspects of keeping the plane flying , especially the fabricating of a repair using what was available up in the bush. In addition to flying off glaciers, I learned about the early days of flying, the Aleutians, the preparing for a war with Japan before Pearl Harbor, that was a surprise.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

On my shelf since being in Alaska two years ago, a 1957 account of Alaska pilot Bob Reeve, one of the original bush pilots. He pioneered glacier landing and later had Reeve Aleutian – flying some of the hardest Alaskan territory with its notorious fog (where we’re going this summer...!) Relatively amateurly written, but worth it, if you're interested in either Alaskan or aviation history.

[Esteban Stipnieks · Rating 4 out of 5]

What was it like flying in Alaska before WWII .... great book strap into a cockpit and bring your courage for an adventure.

[Henry Luecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchased at a garage sale for $1. One of the most surprisingly good books I read in 2025. Very easy to read and captivating story.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Glacier Pilot". by Beth Day. 1957, "Glacier Pilot" is the biography of Bob Reeve. It is refreshingly evident that Beth Day worked closely with Reeve while writing "Glacier Pilot". Her book is technical and remarkably instructional, her terminology impeccably correct. It is also apparent that Day enjoyed perpetuating both the reality, and the myth of the quintessential, tough, sourdough aviators of the Alaskan Bush. Alaska's history is rich with colorful characters and fascinating stories. Many of the anecdotes gave me a sinking feeling. -the kind that resonates deep with in, as I retrospectively looked at my own life, lost friends, and the risks that I have taken and my good fortune to have survived.

[KennyO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aviation in Alaska owes much to Bob Reeve, pioneer aviator and trailblazer. It's rare for biographers to work with their subjects and Beth Day was given that opportunity. She made the most of it, too. There's plenty of technical information to give authenticity but not so much that a non-pilot will be lost. If you wonder what's so special about Alaska, this biography will be one excellent contribution to the answer.