ERIC ED376270: Women and Minorities in Alaskan Aviation. Alaskan Equity Publication.

129 Pages·1994·3.1 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 376 270
CE 067 142
AUTHOR
Dordan, Mary Lou; Nicholson, Deborah
TITLE
Women and Minorities in Alaskan Aviation. Alaskan
Equity Publication.
INSTITUTION
Alaska State Dept. of Education, Juneau.
PUB DATE
94
NOTE
131p.
AVAILABLE FROM
Gender Equity Specialist, Department of Education,
801 West 10th Street, Suite 200, Juneau, AK
99801-1894 ($4 in-state, $6 out-of-state, plus 10%
shipping and handling).
PUB TYPE
Classroom Use Teaching Guides (For
Guides
Tests/Evaluation Instruments (160)
Teacher)
(052)
EDRS PRICE
MF01/PC06 Plus Postage.
DESCRIPTORS
*Aircraft Pilots; Alaska Natives; *Aviation
Education; Career Awareness; Classroom Techniques;
Educational Resiurces; *Females; History; Learning
Activities; *Minority Groups; Secondary Education;
Sex Fairness; *Teaching Methods
IDENTIFIERS
*Alaska
ABSTRACT
This resource guide tells the story of Alaskan women
and minority aviators and those in aviation-related businesses, from
the early 20th century to the present. Developed for secondary
students but also suitable for younger students, the guide combines
six accounts of Alaskan women and minority aviators with classroom
activities centered around the materials. Classroom materials include
learning activities such as research questions, puzzles, and art
projects. The first three sections of the guide cover early aviation,
aviation careers, and aviation safety. A section of curriculum
materials for teachers includes the general aviation story, uses of
the general aviation airplane, and an aircraft classification chart.
Section V contains resource listings, including 12 resources for
information in Alaska, 2 sources for audiovisuals, a bibliography of
12 adult and 10 juvenile books, and names and addresses of 33
associations and interest groups. The following attachments are
provided: Federal Aviation Association (FAA) education materials
list; a poster, "Aviation in My Community"; a brochure, "A Flying
Start"; a booklet, "The Sky's the Limit"; Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association fact sheet; Federal Educational Information Exchange's
FAA aviation education menu; FAA Aviation Career Education Academies
mailing list flyer; a list of Alaska Department of Education equity
publications; and a fredback form.
(KC)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
1.;
'cl%A********.A.:**********.A.A>K::**H
************************
N °
-4
D442,4.,
Aviation
in Alaskan
EDUCATION
US DEPARTMENT OF
THIS
"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE
J...,ta
n
BY
CARE/NAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED
ED
l
CENTER tERiCt
This document nas been reproduced as
organrtatron
re:etved Iron, the person or
trrytnattno
/1/4///.1c/
(
Minor cnanoes have been trade to
,,prove reProOuCtrOn Quattiv
thrs
PO,n1S 01 vow or Oprnrons 510100 rn
RESOURCES
TO THE EDUCATIONAL
Jocurnent 00 not necessary represent
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."
ficai PERI postlrorl or ppircy
1994
ALASKAN EQUITY PUBLICATION
EDUCATION
ALASKA STATE DEPARTMENT OF
2
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
Walter J. Hickel
Governor
Jerry Covey
Commissioner of Education
Vince Barry
Director, Educational Program Support
Alaska State Board of Education
Patti Norheim
Chair
June Nelson
Vice-Chair
John E. Hotzfield
Member
Dr. Roger 0. Jarvis, USAF
Military Member
Beverly Ranney
Student Member
Don Fancher
Member
Stowell Johnstone
Member
Bob M. Walp
Member
Judy Norton
Member
Ari
3
in Alaskan Aviation
WRITTEN BY:
Mary Lou Dordan
and
Deborah Nicholson
EDITED BY:
Anne Kessler
and
Naomi Stockdale
DESIGN BY:
Sarahgraphics
January 1994
PRINTED BY:
Alaska Litho
this project is provided, in part, by Title IV, Civil Rights, Section 403 (c),
Funding for
Agency, Desegregation of Public Education Program, CFDA Number 84-004
State Education
and
Perkins, Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990
Carl D.
State of Alaska, Department of Education
'1
WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN ALASKAN AVIATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
4
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
5
FOREWORD
6
I. EARLY AVIATION
Ruth Jefford
Pioneer
8
Bill English
Pioneer
11
ACTIVITIES
IA. So You Wanna Fly?
14
IB. Parts of an Airplane
16
IC. Airplane Assembly
18
ID. What Makes An Airplane Fly?
20
IE. Field Trip Guide for Aviation Education
22
II. AVIATION CAREERS
Richard and Ramona Ardaiz
26
Flight School Owners
Ellen Paneok
28
Commercial Pilot
ACTIVITIES
30
HA. Careers/Interest List
UB. Career Categories
31
34
HC. Local Airport Jobs
36
HD. Career Goals
37
HE. Using AKCIS
III. AVIATION SAFETY
Val Aron
40
FAA Operations Specialist
Patricia Mattison
43
FAA Accident Prevention Program Manager
ACTIVITIES
46
HIA. Alaska Aviation Fact Sheet
48
BIB. Compass Navigation Exercises
50
MC. Phonetic Alphabet
IIID. Decoding Weather Observations
51
53
IIIE. Flight Planning
WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN ALASKAN AVIATION
IV. AVIATION CURRICULUM SUPPLEMENTS - FOR TEACHERS
56
The General Aviation Story
63
Uses of the General Aviation Airplane
64
Aircraft Classification Chart
V. RESOURCES
66
Resources for Information in Alaska
67
Books, Films and Videos
67
Associations/Interest Groups
VI. ATTACHMENTS
FAA Aviation Education Materials List
Poster
Aviation in My Community
A Flying Start
The Sky's the Limit
AOPA Fact Sheet
FAA FEDIX
FAA Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academies Info
Alaska Equity Publications
Feedback Form
WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN ALASKAN AVIATION
INTRODUCTION
are many positive role models in this publication to
Each year, Alaskan educators celebrate the contri-
introduce to students. As readers will soon discover,
butions of individuals who have earned a place in tl:te
the individuals in this publication have a lot in com-
history of the "Great Land" of Alaska. This is particu-
mon. Each has demonstrated determination and perse-
larly so during Heritage celebrations and March-
verance, even in the face of difficulty and opposition.
Women's History Month. It is with great pleasure that
For these persons, having a goal to strive for usually
the Department of Education takes part in these efforts,
meant hard work and commitment. Their accomplish-
by producing classroom materials such as its annual
ments deserve our recognition, respect and admiration.
Equity publication. The 1994 publication, Women and
We hope teachers and students will be inspired by the
Minorities in Alaskan Aviation recognizes the crucial
examples of these men and women. They embody the
role of aviation in our state and features individual
frontier spirit characteristic of Alaskans at their best.
women and men who have played a role in its develop-
This publication is intended for use by teacher in
ment and growth.
secondary classrooms throughout Alaska. With some
The topic of aviation was suggested by members of
adjustments, along with accompanying materials, the
the Department's Equity Task Force two years ago. As
material can be presented to younger students as well.
many as seventy percent of Alaska's communities have
Aviation is connected to many of the existing subject
no means of travel to and from the village, other than by
areas: communications and language arts, sciences and
airplane. Residents depend on airplanes to bring them
math, industrial arts, mechanics and engineering, ge-
the mail, groceries and other vital services. Many chil-
ography, health and economics, to name a few. The
dren in Alaska see and hear airplanes, or travel in them,
topic also suggests that students become better ac-
much before they have experiences with automobiles.
quainted with their environment, their community,
Per capita, Alaska has eight times as many pilots and 15
including its people, and the resources available.
times as many aircraft as the rest of the United States.
We invite teachers to make use of this curriculum
We agreed that aviation was an important topic and
year-round. With your feedback and suggestions, any
this
area to investigate. Given the role of aviation in
further printing can be improved. Any part of this text
state, and opportunities for a range of jobs in this field,
and appendices may be copied for classroom and school
in urban and rural communities, we also wanted to
should
use. Inquiries and request for additional copies
encourage young women and men in today's
class-
be directed to Anne Kessler at the Alaska Department
and ca-
room to consider preparation for occupations
of Education, Equity Project, 801 W. 10th Street, Suite
reers in aviation.
200, Juneau, AK 99801, [phone]. Reader com-
As editor and Equity Project Director, I am proud to
ments and feedback are welcome.
forward this curriculum to teachers in Alaska. There
t-
WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN Al ASKAN AVIA.IION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Department of Education gratefully thanks,
editing process. As always, Estelle Bentley was willing
first and foremost, Richard and Ramona Ardai7, Val
to interrupt her work and provide computer solutions
Aron, Bill English, Ruth Jefford, Patricia Mattison, and
and moral support as we evolved from first to final
Ellen Paneok who have consented to be featured in this
draft. My assistants, Me lora Caber and Bernice Donnelly
publication. We are indebted to them for sharing their
assisted with keyboarding and copyright permissions.
experiences with us and our students.
Photographers who contributed to the publication are
We also owe a very special thanks to Deborah
Mary Lou Dordan, Linda Follett, and Fred Hirschmann.
The role of the graphic designer is to take the
Nicholson and Mary Lou Dordan for conducting the
interviews and writing the biographical s:ketthes, and
printed text and images and elevate them to a polished
accompanying activities. Both have contributed to the
product which invites attention. We have had the plea-
world of aviation and education for many years.
sure of working with Sarah Olsen of Sarahgraphics to
prepare this publication. We thank her for dedicating
Deborah, a teacher at Clark Jr. High, Anchorage School
District teaches science and computer technology.
her time to this project, including week-ends and week-
Deborah is also a private pilot and Major in the Alaska
days, to meet tight deadlines. Of course we especially
Civil Air Patrol. One of Deborah's responsibilities is to
value her creative and artistic contributions. The print-
direct Cadet Programs. Mary Lou Dordan is an Avia-
ing was executed by Alaska Litho.
tion Education Officer with the Federal Aviation Ad-
In conclusion, we also wish to thank the FAA Public
ministration. Both have spent countless hours provid-
Affairs/Education Division of Alaska's Anchorage of-
fice for providing additional educational materials in
ing instruction to youth in Alaska, about aviation.
The tasks of assembling a publication are challeng-
this project. We thank the Beechcra ft Corporation, and
ing and tedious. I wish to thank my colleagues in the the Cessna Corporation for granting us permission to
include their materials within this booklet. Materials
Department for assisting me in completing the project.
from the General Aviation Manufacturer's Association
Naomi Stockdale believed in the project from the very
and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association also
start and was most instrumental in securing funding
and keeping the goal foremost at hand during the
supplemented our effort.
%%OMEN AND MINORITIES IN ALASKAN AVIATION
FOREWORD
I
By Ted Spencer
Director, Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum
aircrafts lay scattered in the forests, mountains and
My great grandfather arrived in Alaska in 1898 to
ply the Nome goldfields. As a fourth generation Alas-
tundra. At virtually the eleventh hour, we've been able
to collect and consolidate sizable chunks of the story.
kan, permanently affixed to my "beloved Alaska," I feel
a deep sense of pride for the contribution my forefa-
I here is a lot of work to do in assembling the history and
thers gave in Alaskan pioneering. Knowledge of this
preparing if for the "handing off" to future generations.
history, however, was hard-won. I've had the good
This document is a contribution to that end.
I think the common picture of the Alaskan "bush
fortune to stumble across old letters and newspaper
clippings or come in contact with the elders of my
pilot" is that of a Caucasian male. My investigation of
Alaskan aviation history has revealed to me an aspect
surviving family line.
This innate curiosity of my Alaskan heritage has
of aviation pioneers overlooked or missed by the public
spurred me into an investigation of Alaskan history in
and historians alike.
general. During my school years in Fairbanks, Nome
From the first day of Alaskan flying, women played
a key role in aviation activity. Lily Martin, an English
and Anchorage, little was spoken about the adventures
pioneer aviatrix,, and her husband James, brought the
and trials of the Alaskan pioneering era. My mid-life
first aircraft to Alaska. The year was 1913. The first
research on the subject revealed an intricate and fasci-
woman pilot flew in Alaska in 1926. Alaskan women
nating story of the classic human spirit at work. Many
Alaskan residents today may have a tendency to take
took up training as early as 1932, still a primitive stage
of aviation evolution. Not only did women fly the
the amenities of life in modern urban Alaska for granted.
challenging Alaskan skyways, they worked on aircraft
It wasn't always so. Many of the immigrants that ar-
and owned and managed commercial aviation compa-
rived in early 20th century Alaska, appeared with little
more than muscle and a skill. Building Alaska necessi-
nies.
tated the import of tools, materials, equipment and
The aviation pioneers would have had a much more
difficult time in flying Alaska were it not for the contri-
some of the amenities of modern life, all of which had
butions of the indigenous Alaskan people. Many a pilot
to be hauled in. Thus, transportation is a major key to
was saved from death via the Native and his dog team.
life in Alaska as we know it today. For me, the role of
Shelter, food, warmth and assistance was provided to
aviation is the most fascinating...pioneers who built
the wayward air traveler by the Alaskan Natives. They
Alaska were an admirable breed of people. They were
had a natural curiosity in these mechanical birds that
hardy and resourceful, many times exhibiting extraor-
brought the outside world to their peaceful subsistence
dinary courage and tenacity. Alaska's aviation history
lifestyle. Many cultivated the skills to repair and fly
is one of the great chapters in American and world
aircraft and have distinguished careers in the aviation
aviation history. Yet, there is little public awareness of
industry.
the details. Alaskan aviation history in recent past was
It is important to develop an awareness of these
a smattering of folklore, myth and old newspaper clip-
people's accomplishments. They are a source of inspi-
pings in a shoebox; an old photo album, and a fragile
ration for the pioneers of today and those of tomorrow.
reel of film. Like prehistoric birds, the fossils of the old
WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN ALASKAN AVIATION
I. EARLY AVIATION
Ruth Jefford
Pioneer
Bill English
Pioneer
1 11