About Us
Our Alaska History
Owned and operated by Sean Petersen and family Anchorage Aero is a new company with old Alaska aviation history. The Petersen family has three generations of Alaska aviator and Alaska aviation business experience.
In 1934 Alaska aviation pioneer Ray Petersen arrived in Alaska with a passion for flying and a desire to bring modern air transportation to rural Alaska. Ray Petersen also played a major role in the development of tourism in Katmai National Park and Preserve, so much so, the Alaska state legislature named Ray Petersen the "Father of Alaska Sport Fishing Lodges". During the 1940's Ray's airline grew and he realized the tourism potential in the then Katmai National Monument. During the early 1950's Ray and partner John Walatka worked with the park service to set up fishing camps in Katmai's best locations and called them Angler's Paradise Lodges. These locations included the park concession at Brooks Lodge and Grosvenor Lodge and the private property at Kulik Lodge. Moving forward The Petersen families in region presence continued as Sonny Petersen, Sean's father, owned and operated the Angler's Paradise Lodges and founded Katmai Air Service. Sean also grew up working in the families fishing, tourism and air taxi business and shares the same passion for this Alaska way of life. With our expert knowledge and experience in this vast, rugged Alaskan landscape let us be your guide on your Alaska journey.