Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound, just north of Seattle, Washington, is home to newly launched charter business Lynk Air. The company has a six passenger Piper Mojave, a pressurised PA-31, based at AJ Eisenberg airport on Monroe Landing Road, and flies to Seattle-Tacoma International airport and other Pacific Northwest destinations.

Co-founder captain Chris Taylor has been living on the island for several years and recognised that its remote location could be a challenge when trying to go almost anywhere. The original small commuter airline, shuttling islanders to Sea-Tac, was no longer in service, so Taylor and his wife Helen set up the company, reducing the more than three hour drive to Seattle to a mere 20 minute commuter flight. Not only do islanders gain a valuable charter service, but it is an attractive option for clients wishing to visit the island.

Taylor started flying at the age of 12 and went on to join the Navy where he was a tactical jet pilot for 14 years, achieving more than 500 aircraft carrier landings. He also earned Navy pilot qualifications ranging from maintenance to operations to flight instruction and safety. Over the past two years the Taylors have obtained all necessary FAA commercial air service qualifications, and the company benefits from Taylor’s previous safety technician, maintenance officer, flight operations officer, programme manager and chief pilot roles. He also has an airline transport pilot rating, the FAA’s highest.

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In time Taylor plans to expand into Canada and may add another aircraft and pilot. “Flight times to Portland and Spokane are approximately one hour,” he says. “We can get people to a meeting in person and be back before lunch if desired.”