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Jack Jefford

Jack Jefford

Jack Jefford was born in 1910 in McGrew, Nebraska and grew up on a ranch. He worked for several outfits in the Lower 48 in Nebraska and Oklahoma before coming to Alaska in 1937 to be a bush pilot, where he worked principally for Hans Mirow's air taxi firm in Nome. His work included years of flying in all kinds of weather to help sick or injured people in remote areas and supplying the FAA's far-flung stations throughout the state. Jack was the chief pilot for the Federal Aviation Administration and its predecessor agency, the Civilian Aviation Administration for 32 years. He also helped establish the network of radio facilities and remote airstrips around Alaska. Jack Jefford died in 1979.

Biographical information taken from interview transcript. For more information about Jack Jefford see: Winging It: Jack Jefford, Pioneer Alaskan Aviator. Edited by Carmen Jefford Fisher and Mark Fisher with Cliff Cernick. Alaska Northwest Books, Anchorage, Alaska, 1981.
Jack Jefford appears in the following new Jukebox projects:
Jack Jefford's Slideshow
Interview Title Abstract Archive #: Oral History Project Date of Interview
Jack Jefford, Part 1

Jack Jefford was interviewed by Sandy Jensen on September 3, 1960. The location of the interview is unknown, although it is believed to be in Anchorage, Alaska. In this first part of a two part interview, Jack talks about how he learned to fly, some of the various places he flew including Nebraska, Oklahoma, Nome, and other parts of rural Alaska. He also talks about the importance of radio communication and navigation in flying and his role in establishing a network of radio facilities and remote airstrips around Alaska.

 98-11-11_PT.1 Pioneer Aviators Sep 3, 1960
Jack Jefford, Part 2

This is a continuation of an interview with Jack Jefford on September 3, 1960 by Sandy Jensen. The location of the interview is unknown, although it is believed to be in Anchorage, Alaska. In this second part of a two part interview, Jack talks about having to make a forced landing in his airplane near Nome, Alaska, and how he survived for many days while he waited to be rescued.

 98-11-11_PT.2 Pioneer Aviators Sep 3, 1960