Timeless Flight: Aviation as Alaska’s Lifeline

The roar of an engine echoes across a snow-covered valley, breaking the silence of Alaska’s wild expanse. Here, flight is more than a means of travel—it’s the thread that connects lives, connecting communities together across a land too vast and too hazardous for roads.

For Randolph’s 2025 Winter Campaign, There’s No Timezone for Timeless, we’re turning our focus to the skies. This campaign is a celebration of Alaska’s pilots, whose courage and determination reflect the same resilience and craftsmanship that define Randolph sunglasses. These aviators don’t just traverse the wilderness—they conquer it, embodying the timeless spirit that has guided our brand for over 50 years.

Why Aviation Is Alaska’s Lifeline

Alaska, often called "The Last Frontier," is a place of extremes. Its 663,000 square miles hold some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth, but less than 20% of it is accessible by road. Here, planes are the pulse of life. They carry food to isolated villages, bring medical care to those in need, and deliver connections to a world otherwise out of reach.

In Alaska, every flight carries immense weight and purpose behind it. A single trip can mean survival for a family in a remote cabin or deliver critical supplies to an entire community. Pilots here are the binding glue of life in Alaksa; they’re problem-solvers, navigators, and lifelines.

At Randolph, we understand that same demand for reliability and resilience. Our sunglasses were crafted for military pilots and have evolved to meet the needs of adventurers, travelers, and dreamers. With a 200-step manufacturing process, each pair is designed to perform, no matter the time, the place, the weather and wherever your journey takes you.

Did You Know? Alaska has more pilots per capita than any other state, with aviation playing a vital role in its economy, healthcare, and community development.

Meet the Pilots Behind the Campaign

Chris Palmer – The Educator in the Sky

Chris Palmer wears many hats: pilot, teacher, storyteller, and guardian of Alaska’s aviation legacy. Based in Homer, Alaska, he founded Angle of Attack, an aviation education company that equips pilots with the skills needed to navigate one of the world’s most demanding flying environments.

Chris’s approach to teaching reflects the challenges of Alaska’s skies. He spends his days teaching students how to handle Alaska’s unique aviation challenges: landing on remote airstrips surrounded by mountains, flying through sudden snow squalls, and reading the subtle shifts in weather that could mean the difference between a smooth flight and a dangerous situation. His goal isn’t just to create skilled aviators but to instill a deep respect for the responsibilities that come with flying in Alaska.

Beyond the cockpit, and outside the classroom, Chris is a documentarian of Alaska’s skies. His camera captures the raw beauty of the state; Alaska’s dramatic glaciers, remote valleys, and wildlife from an aviator’s perspective, offering a window into a world few experiences firsthand. Through his work in the skies and on the ground; Chris’s teaching and storytelling ensures Alaska’s aviation spirit endures for future generations and the whole world to see.

You can follow Chris @angleofattack

Fun Fact: Chris often describes Alaska’s airstrips as “an adventure waiting to happen,” highlighting the thrill and unpredictability of flying in the Last Frontier.

Spencer Warren – Wildlife Photographer and Aviator

For Spencer Warren, the cockpit is a gateway to the wild. An accomplished wildlife photographer, Spencer uses his plane to reach Alaska’s most remote and breathtaking locations…places few have the chance to see.

Spencer’s work takes him deep into the wilderness, where he documents everything from grizzly bears fishing in icy rivers to the majestic flight of bald eagles soaring through mountain valleys, and the delicate ecosystems that sustain life in the state’s wildest corners. By capturing these majestic scenes about beauty, Spencer hopes to educate and inspire people to protect Alaska’s fragile ecosystems.

The perspective aviation offers, is central to Spencer’s process. The freedom to soar above the tundra, land on gravel bars in the middle of nowhere, circle above untouched landscapes, and watch the world unfold from the sky gives his work a unique vantage point and perspective few can replicate.

You can follow Spencer @spencerwarren_

Behind the Lens: Spencer once spent three days camping near a remote stream, flying in supplies each day, just to capture the perfect shot of a mother bear teaching her cubs to fish.

Annalynn Brown – Charting New Horizons

Growing up in Seward, Alaska, Annalynn Brown’s life revolved around the pull of the sea. Her family’s connection to the water ran deep, teaching her the rhythms of the tides and the endurance required by life on the coast before she could even ride a bike! But even as she learned the intricacies of life on the water, her eyes often drifted skyward, drawn to the vastness above.

Now, as a pilot-in-training, she’s combining her maritime roots with her passion for aviation to bridge Alaska’s coastal communities with its vast interior.

For Annalynn, becoming a pilot isn’t just a personal achievement—it’s a legacy. She’s determined to show the next generation of young Alaskans, especially women, that the sky isn’t just the limit; it’s a calling. Her training has taken her from the windswept coastlines of the Kenai Peninsula to the icy expanse of the Arctic, each flight sharpening her skills and deepening her appreciation for Alaska’s untamed beauty.

In Her Words: “Flying in Alaska is like nothing else. Every trip is a new challenge, and every landing feels like you’ve conquered something bigger than yourself.”

Daniel Bunker – The Wilderness Storyteller

For Daniel Bunker, flying isn’t just about getting from point A to point B, it’s about creating connections between people and the wild world they dream of exploring. As a bear-viewing guide and pilot, Daniel takes tourists deep, deep into Alaska’s wilderness to witness its majestic wildlife up close and introducing them to natural beauty most will only ever see in pictures.

Daniel’s flights are more than transportation; they’re an experience. From the moment his plane lifts off passengers are immersed in panoramic views of glaciers, forests, and endless rivers. Once on the ground, Daniel shares his deep knowledge of Alaska’s ecosystems, helping visitors understand the delicate balance that keeps this wild state and its life thriving.

But Daniel’s work isn’t without challenges. Flying into remote locations means dealing with unpredictable weather, rugged landing strips, and the constant need to be ready for the unexpected. For him, reaffirms the resilience and adaptability that defines Alaska’s aviators.

You can follow Daniel @wings_over_alaska

Memorable Moment: On one particularly clear day, Daniel’s passengers witnessed a rare sight—two grizzly bears playing together in the snow, an unforgettable highlight of their journey.

The Craftsmanship That Defines Randolph

Like Alaska’s pilots, Randolph is built for the long haul. Every handcrafted pair are equipped to not just block the glare of the sun; but are built tough to stand up to the elements, offering protection and clarity in even the most extreme conditions.

• Polarized Lenses: Essential for reducing the intense glare off snow and ice, perfect for Alaska’s bright, reflective winters.
• Durable Frames: Engineered to withstand the rigors of daily wear, whether you’re navigating icy runways or urban commutes.
• Timeless Design: Inspired by aviation heritage, our sunglasses are as stylish as they are functional.

Craftsmanship is at the heart of everything we do. Every pair of Randolph sunglasses is built through a meticulous 200-step process and engineered to endure, withstanding the tests of time and terrain just like the pilots who inspire us in this campaign.

The Spirit of Timelessness

There is a poetry to the skies over Alaska. The way a plane cuts through the clouds, the steady hum of an engine against the backdrop of endless mountains, and the quiet resolve of the pilots who make it all happen. These moments are fleeting, but their impact is timeless.

Why These Stories Matter

These pilots are symbols of Alaska’s enduring spirit. Each one brings something unique to the campaign, highlighting the resilience, creativity, and connection that make aviation an essential part of life in Alaska.

Their stories echo Randolph’s commitment to timeless craftsmanship and durable design, showing how the right tools, whether a plane or a pair of sunglasses can make all the difference in the face of life’s challenges.

Explore the Campaign

This winter, celebrate the timeless spirit of Alaska’s aviation with Randolph. Discover the pilots, their stories, and the sunglasses that reflect their resilience.

 

Because timeless isn’t just about where you are...it’s about how far you’re willing to go. 🌍