Customer Reviews

Success on the Step: Flying with Kenmore Air

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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I recently read Success on the Step - Flying with Kenmore Air by C. Marin Faure and it definitely makes my list of Five Star books for Entrepreneurs. I picked this up at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

If you've ever been to Seattle, more than likely you've seen a Kenmore Air float plane fly overhead. You might of thought that they are just a sightseeing company, but they are much more than that. Many people have depended on Kenmore Air since 1945 when it was founded by Reginald Collins, Jack Mines and Robert Munro.

Success on the Step tells a true story of entrepreneurship, bush planes and Alaskan and Canadian adventure. If like me you love great stories about people who just won't quit, airplanes and anything having to do with the water, then this book is for you.

With the company only about a year old they lost their pilot when Jack Mines was killed in an accident. It would have been easy for Collins and Munro to quit at that point, get nice safe jobs at Boeing and live comfortable lives. They didn't though, and now the world has another great company that's been built on integrity and doing what is right for the customer.

I have never flown with Kenmore Air, but the next time I'm in Seattle I'm going to take a flight with them. I only wish that Bob Monroe was still flying - I think we'd have a lot to talk about.

I saw this book in the bookstore by the Friday Harbor ferry landing, but didn't buy it. Didn't see it again, but couldn't forget it. So, when we got home I ordered from [...]. I was so impressed with the book I wrote the author a fan letter (that is a first for me!)

I have lived in Seattle for over fifty years, but didn't know the story of Kenmore Air. The past few years, I've seen more and more of their planes--especially while boating 'up north.' I finally got curious.

This book is as much about starting and running a business, as about the small float planes and I found it fascinating. I recommend it as a good, and informative read. Meaty enough for the boardroom and easy enough for the beach.

I recently moved to Seattle to work for Boeing, who employs the author of this book, Marin Faure. Mr. Faure did a great job of turning extensive interviews into a coherent and engaging story of aeronautical entreprenurialism during the post-WW2 era, and beyond. Kenmore Air is indeed a Seattle icon like Pike Market and the Space Needle.

Part of the reason I moved here was to earn my seaplane rating and learn about "bush" flying into mountain lakes. Their cadre of instructors and line pilots certainly have the "right stuff" when it comes to providing a safe airline service, as well as memorable scenic adventures. I certainly recommend "Sucess on the Step" to anyone interested in seeing how iron-clad ethical principles can contribute to success in any business endeavour, and definitely to anyone planning to get their rating at Kenmore Air Harbor.

Interesting book but thought they could have dedicated at least a paragraph to the fatal crash on October 1, 1977. Pilot Greg Thompson and 6 passengers lost their lives.

This was a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page, and couldn't put it down. It's inspiring, not just for aviation, but for any industry. These guys put their hearts into their work, and now they are known the world over. I would buy this book to read to my kids.

Success on the Step is a "Must Have" for aviation enthusiasts -- especially those in the Northwest! Chances are you will run into someone you have actually known. Not only is it interesting and familiar but it's a fun, fun read.