Rooted in Ketchikan. Built on Generations of Flight. Growing Through Family.
Come join our adventure! At family-owned Seawind Aviation, flying seaplanes isn’t just about providing transportation. Rather, for Steve and Lesley Kamm, Southeast Alaska’s breathtaking landscapes, sheer granite cliffs, snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and untouched forest valleys are a generational and timeless experience to be shared!
Before we take off, a little about us…
Steve Kamm, born and raised in Ketchikan, grew up around the fish processing plant, E.C. Philips Cold Storage, which was started by his great-grandfather nearly a century ago, and continues to process the local commercial fishing fleet’s salmon, halibut, and other Alaska seafood. Steve didn’t continue in the family fishing business. He did, however, follow in his father Cliff’s aviation footsteps.
Like many young men who grew up in Ketchikan, the roar of departing seaplanes along Ketchikan’s waterfront grabbed Cliff’s attention and never let go. Cliff Kamm flew for several Ketchikan’s historic air services, including Simpson Air, Coast Air, Webber Air, Tyee Airlines, and Westflight, until moving on to fly helicopters for Temsco and Louisiana Pacific in support of the local timber industry.
DRAWN TO THE ALASKAN SKIES
Riding with his father and spending a summer fueling seaplanes for Tyee Airlines, Steve was also drawn to the skies and began his own aviation career in 1988 with Temsco Airlines, which operated out of the same building Seawind now occupies.
Over the years, Steve not only learned valuable lessons about flying in Southeast Alaska’s often challenging conditions, but he also learned about the importance of customer service to every flight.
Lesley came to Ketchikan in 1997 from Southern California and immediately fell in love with the unparalleled, unmatched natural beauty of Ketchikan – even on a rainy day – and the outlying areas like the Misty Fjords, Traitors Cove, Anan Creek, and the many fishing lodges along Prince of Wales Island. Lesley also learned the importance of individual customer service while working for Jerry and Candi Scudero at Taquan Air, where Steve was flying at the time.
Founded by Family. Guided by experience
Together, in 2003, Steve and Lesley followed a dream and started Seawind with a single airplane, a cellular telephone, and a mutual dedication to provide safe, reliable, personal service to every passenger.
Over the years, Seawind has grown from a single Cessna 206 to two DeHavilland Beavers and two turbine-engine DeHavilland Otters. The Kamm family has also grown, with their three daughters, Kendal, Shelby, and Stevie, riding along on flights with their father, helping load Seawind airplanes, and driving passenger vans.
Decades in the air. Generations of local knowledge
What began with one aircraft and a simple vision quickly grew into something more. Today, Seawind Aviation is a trusted name for flightseeing tours, lodge transportation, and custom charters throughout Southeast Alaska, still grounded in the same commitment to experience, safety, and personal service that inspired the company from the very beginning.
The difference is not the aircraft. It is the people
Many companies can offer a scenic flight. What guests remember most is how it felt. At Seawind, we have always believed that aviation should be personal – calm, unhurried, and guided by people who treat each flight like it matters.
Clear communication
Comfort for first-time flyers
Thoughtful pacing and local insight
Professionalism
Safety is the foundation of everything
Deep local knowledge
Whether you are flying here, arriving by cruise ship, heading to a fishing lodge, or seeing Misty Fjords for the first time, you are in the hands of a team that genuinely wants you to have an exceptional experience.
We sell memories – and we take that responsibility seriously.
A trusted partner for travelers, lodges, and the local community
Much of our work supports the broader Southeast Alaska experience – transporting guests to remote fishing lodges, coordinating seasonal travel, and helping visitors reach places that cannot be accessed by road.
Many lodge guests return year after year, and many of our flights are arranged through long-standing partnerships built on trust and reliability.
Seawind is proud to be part of the network that helps this region thrive – connecting people to wilderness, adventure, and unforgettable moments.
Support your guests with dependable air service they can trust—year after year.
Meet the crew behind the experience
Our pilots and staff are not just skilled professionals – they are wonderful people to fly with. Friendly, grounded, experienced, and deeply familiar with Southeast Alaska.
Whether you book a flight or just stop in to check us out, all of us at Seawind are confident that you’ll find that the Kamm family and Seawind’s extended family of experienced pilots and support staff are all eager to open the door – literally – to your next adventure.
Safety is our #1 standard
At Seawind Aviation, safety is our top priority and the cornerstone of every decision we make before taking off. Our pilots are among the most experienced aviators in Alaska and are well-versed in the unique challenges posed by Southeast Alaska’s weather and terrain. With a profound respect for the landscape we cherish, our pilots fly with confidence and precision.
Behind every flight is a dedicated team of expert mechanics and operations professionals who maintain our aircraft with meticulous attention to detail. Our fleet consists of two DeHavilland beavers and two Turbine-equipped DeHavilland Otters. The mechanics maintaining Seawind’s fleet possess an in-depth knowledge of these aircraft, ensuring they undergo comprehensive maintenance and continuous inspection cycles that meet or exceed FAA standards.
We take pride in our unwavering commitment to safety. Each aircraft is equipped with ADSB, which provides the pilots with real-time terrain awareness and the ability to show other aircraft in the vicinity. In addition, we utilize a real-time tracking system that allows us to monitor the location of each Seawind aircraft at all times.
Come see Southeast Alaska the way few ever do
Each flight offers a unique perspective on Southeast Alaska. Depending on the tour and conditions, guests may see dramatic fjords, granite cliffs, glaciers, remote coastlines, and wildlife such as bears, whales, or mountain goats. Routes are thoughtfully shaped around weather, visibility, and seasonal highlights to create the best possible experience.
Whether it is your first time in Ketchikan or your tenth season returning north, we would be honored to be part of your Alaska story.
From Misty Fjords flightseeing to custom charters and lodge transportation, Seawind Aviation offers an experience shaped by decades of local knowledge and genuine care for every guest.