About Us
Bel-Air Seaplane Service is an FAA licensed Air Tour Operator. We provide summer floatplane service in a Cessna 172. Our top priority is providing you safe access to a unique experience during your Maine vacation.
The beauty of our home base in the Belgrade Lakes is where the inspiration for our name, Bel-Air, was derived.
Melissa Grabiec - Owner & Pilot
Melissa Grabiec founded Bel-Air Seaplane Service from her passion to share the joy of flying floats with others in the idyllic Belgrade Lakes Region of her adopted state of Maine. She's a third generation pilot whose flying career began over 10 years ago in Maine as a seasonal pilot. When she’s not splashing in the water, she flies for a major U.S. airline.
Doug Manter - Pilot
Doug’s earliest childhood memory was sitting on his father’s lap with his hands on the yoke of a Beech Debonair. Inspired by his father who was a Navy Test Pilot in World War II, Doug soloed on his 16th birthday and obtained his Private on his 17th birthday. Holding a CFII & MEI, he’s flown and instructed in a vast range of aircraft from various single & twin-engine pistons to turbo props. Ask him his favorite airplane, and it would be his 172 on floats!
Doug believes that float flying is the most demanding stick and rudder flying you’ll do as it will reveal the true pilot you are by using the “seat of your pants” feel. Along with revealing how rudder lazy you are!
Doug encourages you to come join him on the lake to have the most fun ever, and get bitten by the float flying bug!
Gertrude
Meet our star of the show, Gertrude! Without her hard work and dedication to being an amazing Cessna 172 floatplane, we wouldn't be able to have so much fun.
Gertrude has a long-standing history here in Maine. For a period of time she worked in Rangeley under the Maine aviation legend Steve Bean at Mountain Air. Then continued to work with the new owner of Lakes Region Air. Eventually working her way to her home on the Belgrade Lakes for over 10 years now.
Gertrude will happily take along three smiling passengers to accompany one of her favorite pilots.