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About
Chelan Seaplanes
Chelan Seaplanes
is a family owned and operated commuter
seaplane operation which was once operated
by Chelan Airways. Clyde and Shane Carlson
purchased Chelan Airways routes in
2009. Seaplane service on Lake Chelan has
been in existence for over 60 years.
Clyde Carlson, owner and founder,
started Northwest Seaplanes in 1988
providing exclusive service with two
Dehavilland Beavers to Hakai Lodge which is
located 70 miles north of Vancouver Island.
Providing seaplane service to Hakai Lodge
was not Clyde's first adventure in aviation.
Clyde started his seaplane career thanks to
the GI Bill in 1968. Soon after completing
his commercial pilot training, Clyde began
working for Lake Union Air Service flying
Cessna 206's to River Inlet Resort. As his
passion for seaplanes grew, he started
Western Air Charters in 1976 with a fleet of
four Cessna 206's providing seasonal tourism
air service for the now bustling cruise ship
industry in Juneau, Alaska.
Residing in Seattle, Clyde purchased Lake
Union Air Service in 1980. Soon after Clyde
became the pioneer of scheduled seaplane
service from Lake Union to the San Juan
Islands and then Victoria, BC. By 1986, Lake
Union Air became the scheduled largest
seaplane in the United States offering
year-round scheduled and charter flights
throughout the San Juan Islands and British
Columbia with a fleet of 8 aircraft.
Not long after selling Lake Union Air in
1987, Northwest Seaplanes was conceived
providing seasonal scheduled and charter
service to boating and trophy salmon fishing
destinations throughout British Columbia's
Inside Passage.
In 2002 the Carlson's purchased West Isle
Air, which is now San Juan Airlines, and
expanded their name in the wheel plane
business. They operated daily scheduled
flights in Cessna Caravans and Piper
Chieftains from the San Juan Islands and
Port Angeles to Boeing Field which they sold
the routes to Kenmore Air in 2005. Now, San
Juan Airlines operates daily scheduled and
charter flights to and from Anacortes and
Bellingham to the San Juan Islands and
British Columbia with a fleet of Cessna
207's.
Clyde is not alone in his business
ventures. His son, Shane Carlson, is
following in his footsteps and carrying on
the family business. Shane began his flying
career working the docks of Lake Union Air
and took his first flying lessons during his
lunch break starting at age 15. Shane
pursued his flight training at Big Bend
Community College earning his associates
degree on Commercial Aviation. Now Shane
has been flying commercially for the family
business for 14 years.
Because of our well-trained, professional,
and courteous pilots and our meticulously
maintained fleet, Northwest Seaplanes has
logged over 21 years of accident and
incident free flying. From our pilots to our
dedicated maintenance staff, you will feel
comfortable knowing you are flying with
experienced professionals. This tradition
and safety culture has been continued
through Chelan Seaplanes. Safety and
customer service is our utmost goal and has
led the Carlsons to success for over 40
years in the business.
When you are flying aboard a Chelan
Seaplanes Dehavilland Beaver, you are flying
in the hands of the safest and most
professional bush pilots in the industry!
Shane Carlson
Northwest Seaplanes
425 277-1590
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