Kenyan Who Left School at 15 and Built an Aviation Business With Over 10 Aircraft and Helicopters

Jamie Roberts, the founder of Nanyuki-based Tropic Air, built an aviation business that grew from one leased aircraft into a fleet of more than 10 planes and helicopters.

Born in Nakuru, Roberts spent part of his childhood in Kampi Ya Samaki, Baringo County, where his family operated a fish factory. His father died when he was just three years old, leaving his mother to raise him and his five siblings.

At 15, Roberts left school and started working for a local farmer, handling machinery maintenance across different farms.

He later joined a flying club in Nakuru, where he learned to operate fixed-wing aircraft. Seeing an opportunity in Kenya’s growing tourism industry, he decided to establish an air charter business in 1993.

Without enough money to purchase an aircraft, Roberts secured a loan and leased a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver from Anthony Dyer. He initially used it to offer scenic flights around Mount Kenya.

The business gradually expanded, adding Cessna aircraft before diversifying into helicopter services in 2006.

Today, Tropic Air operates at least a dozen fixed-wing aircraft, five Airbus H125 helicopters and an Airbus H130. The company also employs at least 50 permanent staff and provides services including wildlife translocations, aerial photography, cargo transportation and medical evacuations.

https://whownskenya.com/jamie-roberts-how-tropic-air-owner-grew-from-one-aircraft-to-a-fleet-of-more-than-10-planes-and-helicopters/#google_vignette

Politico1 feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com