The First Female Bush Pilot in Alaska

And the first Alaskan woman of indigenous ancestry to become a licensed pilot.

Pictured above is Mary “Marvel” Crosson.

Like many things in Alaska, it takes a certain kind of person to overcome the wilderness, harsh environment, and rugged roads (when you can find them), which make the Great Land the last frontier.

And many, if not most, of the pioneers who paved the way were men.

But in this edition of Alaska Stories, we’re looking at two women who took on the Great Land… and won.

Her Love of Flying

Mary “Marvel” Crosson was born in 1904. Then, when she was either 9 or 13 years old, Marvel and her younger brother Joe saw an airplane—and their world was never the same.

In 1925, Marvel and Joe purchased and rebuilt a surplus Curtiss N-9 seaplane. Joe also taught Marvel how to fly, and she soloed that same year.

Then, in 1926, Joe was contacted by a friend about a job opening in Alaska for a commercial pilot. Joe headed north while Marvel stayed behind, planning to join her brother later.

In Alaska, Joe became friends with early Alaska bush pilots like Ben Eielson, Noel Wien, Russ Merrill, and others.

Alaska, Here We Come

Joe came back from Alaska to visit Marvel, and in 1927, the two boarded a steamer headed for Alaska.

In the Last Frontier, Marvel began flying with Joe and had this to say about the Alaska environment. “It takes hours to get your planes warmed up, and then the daylight is all gone nearly.” “Even the hangers and sheds are cold (and) you have to work in mittens, or your hands would freeze fast to the metal parts.”

On March 17, 1928, Marvel earned her limited commercial certificate from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Then, pilot Ben Eielson took her on a check ride. Following that, Marvel could be hired as a pilot to carry freight and mail.

And that gave her the distinction of being Alaska’s first licensed female pilot in the Territory of Alaska. She was officially an Alaska bush pilot.

It should be noted here that at the time of her Alaska achievement, there were fewer than 70 women in all of the United States who had a pilot’s license.

One of Marvel’s assignments was to scatter supplies over rugged Alaska terrain. And once the newspapers in the lower 48 got word of it, they quickly gave her the nickname, “Alaska’s Aviation Grocery Girl.” Along the way, Marvel was also called “Bird Girl” and “Pollyanna of the North”, among others.

As a woman in the male-dominated field of the Alaska bush pilot, Marvel had to take a lot of guff from fellow pilots and mechanics. But through it all, she remained a trailblazer.

In 1929, Marvel also achieved the women’s altitude flying record at 23,996 feet.

Her time in Alaska was short. She left the Great Land and began flying in the lower 48.

Alaska Remembers

In 2009, Mary “Marvel” Crosson was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame.

Yes, You Can Share This Edition

And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will take you “flightseeing” around Alaska every year… well, it could happen.

Ellen Evak Paneok

Pictured above is Ellen Paneok.

A bush pilot, author, and artist, Ellen Paneok became the first Alaskan woman of Indigenous ancestry to get a pilot’s license.

Ellen’s mother, Bernice Evak Burgandine, was from Kotzebue, Alaska. Ellen was given the nickname of “Paneok” by her mother. The name is from an Inupiaq word that translates into “fish’s tail.” Ellen went on to legally change her name to Paneok.

Growing up in Anchorage, she was inspired by a magazine article to pursue a career in aviation as a pilot.

Beginning in 1976, with money from the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Ellen was able to start her flying lessons, which had become an obsession.

Because of her strong desire to fly, Ellen would often skip school to take her flying lessons at Merrill Field in Anchorage. And since she still didn’t know how to drive, she took a bus to the airfield.

When her money began to run out, Paneok began creating artwork to sell to tourists.

But it all paid off.

In 1979, at the age of 20, Ellen Paneok became the first female licensed pilot of indigenous Alaskan ancestry.

High blood pressure kept her from pursuing a career in aerobatics, so Ellen became a bush pilot.

As a bush pilot, she was nicknamed “Owl Eyes” because she was able to fly in almost any type of Alaska weather.

In 2012, Ellen Paneok was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame.

And here’s a quote from Ellen:

“When you decide to do something, don’t let anyone or anything discourage you, it’s up to you.”

BONUS

Learn more

Take a look at Ellen Paneok and discover.

From Our North Stars (that’s you)

From our First Automobile Manufactured in Alaska edition

From Aletha:

“I think this is one of the best stories I have read. You both always have great input to Alaska's history. Thank you”

And Jerry makes this point:

“Sometimes these geniuses will outperform the brainiacs. I love this story. I have known some who were close to passing over to crazy. Love this story.”

Joe has a question:

“Wasn't this car on display at the University of Alaska Museum in Fairbanks before it became the Museum of the North?”

Discover Alaska

photo by John DeLeon

Enjoy reading about Alaska towns, movies made by Alaskans, and Old Alaska Highway memories.

Take a look at Discover Alaska and have an adventure in the Great Land.

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Until Next Time

Mike & Mary Jane

Alaska Stories.com