Cliff Hudson

Cliff Hudson was one of Alaska's best known early bush pilots, flying small planes for more than four decades and opening the wilderness around Denali to climbers, homesteaders, and tourists. After coming to Alaska in 1948, he became a pioneer of local air service by offering rides to places that had previously been off-limits. He flew climbers directly to Denali, sparing them a 60-mile hike through rough country, delivered mail and supplies to remote homes, and took tourists on flightseeing tours of the mountain. His flights opened Alaska to thousands of people. Flying fearlessly to remote places in the worst weather, he also saved many lives. In 1954, he rescued six airmen after their plane disintegrated in midair and received the U.S. Air Force's Exceptional Service Award for saving them. Hudson died in 2010, and each May the community in Talkeetna holds a Memorial Fly In to celebrate him and encourage local children to learn how to build and fly airplanes.

Trapper Creek, Alaska · United States