Alaska's helicopter king:.

• Author: Grenn, Ben
• Position: Era Aviation, Inc. co-founder Carl Brady

Carl Brady, co-founder of Anchorage-based Era Aviation, Inc., learned to fly helicopters after running out of money while hitchhiking across Washington state. Since then, he has established one of the world's most successful helicopter companies.

Mention helicopters to Carl Brady, Sr. and his eyes light up like those of a small child's at Christmas. "I love to fly," says Brady, co-founder and past president of Era Aviation, Inc. "I just love to fly."

Brady, whose passion for aviation took him from being a self-described "soda jerk" in a drugstore in Eastern Washington to operating one of Alaska's top businesses, recently celebrated the company's golden anniversary in Alaska.

It was in June 1948 that an adventuresome young Brady brought a $29,000 Bell 47A helicopter to the future 49th state, establishing what is now the world's oldest helicopter company - a business that now boasts commercial operations in several countries, as well as fixed-wing and flight-seeing services for many travelers.

"There was an excellent opportunity here, because I knew so much of Alaska was unexplored, but I had no idea that our business would be this big," said the modest Brady, who turns 79 next month. "Alaska will always have a future with helicopters because of its rugged terrain; (helicopters) can land almost anywhere."

Originally from Arkansas, Brady learned to fly helicopters in Washington state. "I started hitchhiking from home with $20 and when I got to Yakima, Wash., I was flat broke," recalls Brady, chomping on his trademark, unlit cigar. To make ends meet, the former military pilot took a job as a crop duster.

Eventually, he formal a company with two partners, which they named EcOnomy Pest Control. They changed it to Economy Helicopters after learning the U.S. government was looking for help mapping the territory of Alaska.

"The name Pest Control didn't quite seem to fit," chuckles Brady. "And I was kinda outnumbered as far as re-naming it Brady Helicopters. My partners owned 60 percent and I owned 40 (percent)."

So 50 years ago, with government contract in hand, Brady landed in Southeast Alaska and assisted the U.S. Geological Survey in mapping the northern half of Chichagof Island (a 72-mile island located just north of Baranof Island) in little more than a month. Quite a feat, considering it took ground crews more than seven years to map the island's southern half.

It was also dangerous work. The helicopter's operating manual stated the plane...