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Flying High: Career Odyssey has Uplifting Outcome

June 03, 2008 - NAPLES -- Three decades ago, Mary Build was working as a buyer for a Massachusetts grocery store when she realized she'd be happier flying planes.

Build now operates Naples Seaplane Service Inc., offering flight instruction and airplane maintenance and storage.

It wasn't that the supermarket industry was a bad place to work, she said.

"I had a good job and I was well-paid, but I was just not happy being inside all the time," said Build.

Following a friend's advice, Build completed the career guidance workbook "What Color is Your Parachute?"

"I did that, and it came out that I wanted to be a commercial seaplane charter pilot," she said.

Build looked into changing careers, "three different times," she said, but her family situation (she had two young children) made a job change impractical.

"It wasn't until 1990 that I went for a scenic flight up here in Maine that I decided I just had to fly," she said. She was 47.

Seven years later, she officially opened Naples Seaplane Service.

At first, she operated on Long Lake, but she now takes off from Brandy Pond.

Most of the people who come to Build for lessons are pilots who want to attain a seaplane rating or complete a required safety review.

"We have two school planes," Build said. One is on "straight floats" and the other has amphibious floats, which have wheels so the plane can land on water or on a runway.

For the last six years, Build has hosted the Annual New England Seaplane Expo, a weekend event that features seminars and a guest speaker.

"People come from throughout New England," Build said. "Also from New York, Maryland and Canada."

Naples Seaplane Service runs from May 1 to Nov. 1, said Build.

During the rest of the year, Build works as a safety examiner and teaches people how to fly airplanes on skis. She also flies for Maine Aviation in Portland.

Even though it took some work, Build says she's glad she took up flying.

"There isn't a day that I don't wake up and look forward to starting my day at work," she said. "I just love what I do."

Mary Build was 47 when she decided she 'just had to fly.' Now she operates Naples Seaplane Service and is an instructor.

NAPLES SEAPLANE SERVICE INC.
ADDRESS: 58 Seaplane Cove, Naples
CONTACT: 693-5138; www.naplesseaplane.com; mbuild@naples seaplane.com
FOUNDED: 1997
EMPLOYEES: Two
QUOTE: "I just love what I do." -- Mary Build, owner

By Staff Writer Isaac Kestenbaum, Portland Press Herald, May 29, 2008.


Lakes: Long Lake
Regions: Sebago


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