Of Checkrides and Valentines

Posted on February 15, 2012 by toby

What a busy week it’s been!

We started off the week with great news: my pal Erik passed his ASES add-on rating checkride! Erik is a flight instructor at a flight school on Harvey Field in Snohomish, Wa.  I’m really pleased he decided to come have the fun of the water, too.

Celebrating with my friend Erik

Then, Tuesday was Valentine’s Day, and we celebrated that, too. We treated our scenic flight guests to a pretty red rose and a photocard capturing the romance of the day. Here are a few of the happy couples:

 
Valentine’s Day may be over for this year, but you can still surprise your sweetie, or anybody special, with a Seattle scenic flight. Don’t you think that sounds like fun?!
 
One last note: I was disappointed that the Doberman didn’t win the Westminster Kennel Club “Best in Show” award, but at least she made it to the final seven.  She (the Doberman) sure was pretty!  Sigh…
 
Cheers,
Toby James
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Love is in the air!

Posted on February 3, 2012 by toby

When you fly with your sweetie, everything looks like a big ol' heart from the air!

 
Hello, my friends,
 
Valentines Day is coming – and love is in the air!  Even though Dobermans have the reputation of being fierce, I’m “a lover, not a fighter,” as the saying goes.  I have a great idea for you and your sweetie:  a romantic, scenic flight over Seattle!
 
I want to share the romance of the day with  you, so I came up with an idea:  come take a flight with us on February 14, and we’ll give you a rose to give to your sweetie on that flight!  And a suitable-for-framing picture to capture the sweet memory.
 

Won't you be mine?

You know, instead of waiting in line at the florists, or the chocolate shop, you could be soaring above the city. Making memories that last a lot longer than a few days or weeks.  Think about it……..  
 
So, give us a call today, or send us an email to book your Valentines Day flight! 
 
(or any other flight, yeah?)
 
Cheers,
Toby James
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(cover photo courtesy of hrabaconsulting.com/blog/2010/08/10/queenslandtourism)
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Way to go, Daniel!!!!

Posted on January 30, 2012 by toby
Here’s Daniel, our newest private pilot!
 
We’re celebrating around here, because we had another successful checkride!  My friend Daniel joined the ranks of pilots, having learned how to fly in a seaplane.  Most pilots learn in landplanes, but around here, we get the adventuresome types who go “floats first.”   Daniel is that kind of guy.
 
Daniel grew up in the Seattle area, and his dad had an airplane back in the day. Daniel, therefore, has been around airplanes most of his life, and he took to the skies like a natural.  He’s a lot of fun to have around, and I hope we’ll see him again soon!
 
I’m very proud of Daniel – it’s pretty darn exciting to be able to call yourself a licensed pilot.  Congratulations to my friend!
 
cheers,
Toby James
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Did someone say…. SNOW?

Posted on January 22, 2012 by toby

Do you like my snow hat?

Click here to see a beautiful shot of people having fun at Lake Union. Photo courtesy of Wonderlane, Flickr Creative Commons

Hey, everybody,

You might have heard that it snowed in Seattle recently. Well, yeah, it did. A lot.  And when it snows in Seattle, things shut down.  Not just schools, but whole businesses.  Everybody battens down the hatches, and then grabs the gear for playing in the snow!  It’s a time for most people to turn into kids again.  Sledding down the (many) hills, cross-country skiing through the neighborhood, snowmen everywhere…. and hot cocoa afterwards!

I confess, my “brother” and I spent most of the time inside the house during this recent storm. I’m all for having a great time in the snow, but he prefers to be inside where it’s warm and dry.

Here’s my “dad” on our dock

Tobes, where's my snow hat?!

We’re flying now, though, and ready to take you where you want to go!

Meanwhile, if you think we’re snow wimps here in Seattle, I invite you to read this. Says it better than I could!

Cheers,

Toby James

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Cleaning up for the new year!

Posted on January 3, 2012 by toby

Kareen, the Cleanin' Machine!

Hey, everybody,

Happy New Year! I hope you all had good holidays.  I know I did!  Among other things, I got a stylin’ new collar – I’ll show you a picture in a minute.  Meanwhile, I have to tell you about my friend Kareen, because she did something really good for us recently.  She got into our little rowboat and rowed around our docks, picking up stuff that shouldn’t be there, and just generally tidying up the place.  Thanks, Kareen!  (You can thank her yourself if you drop by on Sundays.  Which would be a great time to take a flight…. hint, hint!)

Meanwhile, I’m keeping cozy inside by the heater.  See my new collar?

 

Keeping warm inside

Stop by to see us!

Cheers,

Toby James

 

 

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Happy Holidays!

Posted on December 22, 2011 by toby
I think I see Santa Claus!!
From all of us here at Seattle Seaplanes, we wish you a Merry Christmas……
 

Is it time to light the candles?

Happy Hanukah….
 
Happy Hogmanay!!   “Should auld acquaintence be forgot…?”
And Happy New Year!!
 

Cheers,

Toby James

 
 
 
 
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Way to go, Jennie!

Posted on December 16, 2011 by toby
The newest certified Airframe mechanic!

I’m just so proud of our staff – they keep doing incredible things!  Our Jennie is now an FAA-certified Airframe mechanic!

 
Jennie has been studying and working really hard down at South Seattle Community College, and her hard work has paid off.  She passed her Airframe test, and has pieces of paper from both the FAA and SSCC to prove it!   There are not very many female airplane mechanics out there (I don’t know the percentages; I’m a dog, so I have to have help looking up stuff like that, and we will find out soon!)  But our Jennie is now one of them, in the Airframe department, and our Heather will be up next in about six months’ time.
 
Jennie’s taking some well-deserved time off over the holidays, and will return to start tackling the next phase of mechanic schooling: Powerplant. 
 
Congrats, Jennie, and Happy Holidays, everyone!
 
cheers,
Toby James
 
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New instructor in the house!

Posted on December 12, 2011 by toby

James and me, just after his checkride

BIG congratulations are in order around here:  my buddy James just passed his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) test!

James has been flying here at Seattle Seaplanes for a few years now. He’s flown many of our scenic flights, and entertained his passengers every moment of the flight.  He’s been a pilot for his entire adult life, just about, and now he gets to add the initials “CFI” after his name!

Becoming a flight instructor is a tough, but rewarding, process (or so they tell me – I’m just a dog, so I’m just going by what they tell me :-)  James stuck with it, and I think that’s just grand.

Congrats, James, from your old pal “Turkey Lips” !!!!

Come see all of us before 2011 comes to a close….  and/or make plans to see us in 2012!

Cheers,

Toby James

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Support your friendly local small business!

Posted on November 28, 2011 by toby

Hey, everybody!

Did you know that Seattle Seaplanes is featured on the City of Seattle’s web site as a local business?  It’s true – click here to see us highlighted, along with the venerable Pike Place Market, and others.

It’s the time of year when thoughts turn to the holidays, and gift-giving.  Stumped for ideas?  How about a seaplane flight?!  I’m just saying….   Support your friendly local small business (it bears repeating!)  Contact us today!

Cheers,

Toby James

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My “brother from another mother”

Posted on November 15, 2011 by toby

Brothers!

Hey, gang,

The leaves are falling, the air is crisp and cool, and my nemeses the geese have taken wing for warmer climes. Must be autumn.

I thought I’d take this time to tell you a little bit about my “little brother,” Oliver Murphy. He’s older than I am, and, although he’s a lot shorter and lighter, he’s still kinda the one in charge. (don’t tell him I said that, though!)

Oliver is a Dachshund, another breed (like Doberman!) that began in Germany. Dachshunds are fearless for their size – and they’d have to be! The name Dachshund means Badger Hound in German, and have you ever heard of a friendly badger?!

Oliver (sometimes called “The Murph”)  usually hangs out at home with our “mom,” but occasionally he comes to work, too.  I like having him around, although I like to play it cool and pretend like he isn’t there…. lol!  When he is here, he likes to curl up in my friend Kit’s chair:

Keeping warm in the autumn cool!

Stop by to see us – maybe you’ll get to meet The Murph!

Cheers,

Toby James

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