Photo by Kris Finkenbinder

Hunter Horvath is a long-time Sitka resident who has over 30 years flying experience. He is a Certified Flight Instructor. He is also a Civil Air Patrol Mission Pilot and Safety Officer. With his vast experience and exceptional customer services, he will make sure that your journey is not only exciting but safe and comfortable at the same time.

Hunter started flying in 1975, earning his private pilot's license while attending graduate school at the Washington State University. To celebrate the occasion, he purchased a ragwing tail-dragger aircraft and, with only 70 hours logged, flew from Washington to the east coast to visit his parents. He was hooked on flying!

Always eager to build on his skills and knowledge, he gained a variety of flying experiences requiring specialized skills, including flying as a pipeline patrol pilot, earning an advanced aerobatics certificate, commercial and instrument ratings, and a Certified Flight Instructor's rating.

When he finally realized his dream of moving to Alaska in 1997, he brought his love of flying and his extensive experience with him. Shortly after arriving, he was asked to join the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), which was the beginning of a new chapter of his life: flying floatplanes.

Under the generous tutelage of senior CAP pilots, he earned a floatplane rating; became a command pilot for search-and-rescue missions; and then qualified for the radial-engine Dehavilland Beaver on floats. The CAP opened the door to new experiences in which he participated as pilot and officer for the Military Joint Forces Exercise Operation Northern Edge in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003. These armed services exercises and several search-and-rescue and training missions with the CAP added to his knowledge of Southeast Alaska.

Hunter Air LLC is perhaps one of the most exciting chapters in his life to date because he now gets to do what he loves for a living and in the place he loves the most, Southeast Alaska. He can't imagine anything more enjoyable than showing people the beauty of Southeast. Hunter Air LLC is a family business, with his bride, Phyllis, providing encouragement and background organizational and managerial support.

Phyllis and Hunter Horvath