Meet the Tropic Air Pilots and Staff

Founder and Managing Director of Tropic Air • Jamie Roberts

Born in 1963 in Nakuru, Kenya, Jamie was brought up on the shores of Lake Baringo with his 4 brothers and sister. Shortly after school, Jamie worked with a crop spraying company, and got both his private and commercial pilots licence.

In 1993 Jamie moved to Nanyuki from the Narok area where, for 10 years, he had been based as a freelance crop spray pilot. With the new tourism developments in Laikipia and the existing Samburu and Meru National Parks, it became clear that Nanyuki had genuine strategic potential as a hub for an air charter business focusing on the emerging tourism economy in north Kenya. Jamie also envisioned that Nanyuki would be an ideal link between these emerging north Kenya destinations and the other core tourism areas in Kenya – principally, the Masai Mara, Amboseli and the coast.

Jamie has been primarily responsible for building the business to where it has got to today. In 8 years, some of which have presented difficult trading conditions, Tropic Air has established itself as one of Kenya’s leading air charter operations with a strong operating profile.

Jamie has over 6000 hours of flying time and continues to fly passengers on a daily basis.

Chief Pilot • Rick Stewart

Rick has worked in the aviation business for over 30 years and has a great deal of experience in all kinds of aircraft, making up over 16,000 hours of flying time.

Rick was born in Kenya in 1957 and has lived and worked in Kenya all his life, including with Kenya's largest domestic airline Air Kenya.

Rick joined Tropic Air in 2001 as the chief pilot.

Line Pilot • Eston Whitfield

Eston was born and bought up in Kenya, and joined Tropic Air in June 2005.

He has held a commercial license for 5 years and has over 2000 flying hours.

Eston started flying gliders at an early age of 16 years.

Hamish Rendall

Hamish was born in 1980 in New Zealand, and completed his pilot training at the Canterbury Aeroclub in the South Island of New Zealand.

Hamish has flown as a commercial pilot in both Botswana and Uganda, and joined Tropic Air in 2005. Hamish has over 2000 flying hours.

Jamie Vernon

Jamie Vernon was born and raised in Limuru, Kenya - where his family introduced 'tea' in 1906. His love of flying started at an early age, with a keen interest in birds-of-prey, and during his teenage years he practiced the 4000 year old sport of falconry. Whilst completing a Bachelor's degree in psychology in South Africa, he developed a passion for free-flying and spent much of his time paragliding.

After graduating, Jamie spent the next ten years designing and supervising the construction of several eco-lodges in northern Kenya - and amongst his better known creations are the successful community owned and managed Tassia Lodge and Kalacha Camp.

Jamie has since completed his pilots training at 43rd Air School in South Africa and at California Flight Academy in San Diego. His love of flying is surpassed only by his enthusiasm for his homeland.

Operations • Joseph Ngunza

Joseph runs Tropic Air's operations - not only dealing with bookings over the phone and email, but also providing quotes, and scheduling flights.

Joseph works very closely with Jamie (managing director) and the Chief Pilot, accounts personnel and grounds crew.