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 Tim Brooks
V.P. of Flight Operations
Kenmore Air
Tim Brooks’ summer job turned into a 34-year career with Kenmore Air, North America’s largest float plane operator. His professional journey from the company’s front lines to Vice President of Flight Operations includes some 17,000 flight hours and a passion for the natural beauty of the region that he shares with his passengers.
How did you get started at Kenmore Air?
I got my graduate degree in Latin American studies with the intent of working for a multi-national corporation. But, I always loved aviation and thought I’d end up there. After I got my pilot’s license, my brother introduced me to Bob Munro who founded Kenmore Air in 1946 and that led to a summer job. I worked in dispatch, with the line crew, in reservations and served as a flight instructor.
What do you love about your job?
Flying float planes in the Pacific Northwest is the best job you could ever have. Kenmore Air is a family-owned business that has integrity and a high customer service standard.
What do visitors enjoy most about “flightseeing?”
Our 20-minute Seattle scenic flight — it would take more than half a day of driving to see all that. Also, the Northwest is just spectacular with the beauty of the mountains and water. I think there’s no better way to showcase that beauty than by float plane. We can fly low. We can fly over whales. And passengers can follow along with route maps. We have a narrated system that works off a GPS in the airplane for our scenic flights — it triggers where we are and on some flights with our ten-passenger Otters the pilots will communicate with passengers through an intercom system.
What surprises visitors about their first float plane experience?
How smooth the landings can be and how much water there is in the Seattle area. Even local residents who come along with their out-of-town guests say they didn’t realize how much water there is.
Why does tourism matter?
Tourism is a valuable source of revenue for many local businesses and is a significant part of our company’s customer base. On a personal level, the enthusiasm and enjoyment of the flight that visitors display is a constant reminder that I have a very special job and unique opportunity to enrich their experience.
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