Mission Statement
At Emerald Air Service, we’re dedicated to introducing guests to Katmai’s coastal brown bears and their stunning Alaska wilderness. Our bear viewing tours from Homer, Alaska, aim to leave you with more than just amazing photos—expect a deeper understanding of bears and a passion for wild spaces.
Our History
Since 1991, Emerald Air Service has led the way in guided bear viewing day trips in Alaska, sharing the magic of Katmai’s brown bears with thousands of visitors. From our base in Homer, Alaska, we’ve grown our fleet and upgraded to a cutting-edge fueling system, loading dock, and charming cabins—including our main office—right on the shores of Homer Seaplane Base.
meet the emerald team
DERICK BRODERMAN
Director of Operations. Derick has a passion for Alaskan aviation and sharing wildlife experiences with others who also enjoy Alaska’s beauty. Derick is a member of the Homer community and has been working in the bear viewing industry for over a decade. In addition to the director of operations role, Derick has also served as chief pilot, check airmen, and a naturalist for over 1100 bear trips.
Through his experience as a pilot, Derick has gathered extensive knowledge of the local terrain and wildlife natural habitat within Katmai National Park. He applies this knowledge to oversee safe, exciting, and memorable trips for all those seeking Alaska adventure.
On his off time, Derick enjoys all Alaska outdoor activities, especially doing them with his 3 children.
ZACK TAPPAN
Chief Pilot. Zack Tappan has been flying for 26 years in Alaska. He’s spent the last 20 years bear guiding in Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks. Zack digs the bear lifestyle and enjoys introducing other people to bear society.
When he’s not out in the field with Emerald Air, Zack can be found snowboarding at the Homer Rope Tow or mountaineering, packrafting, or just being in the woods with his wife and his two sons.
Meet Our Flight Crew
DAVID CUMMINGS
Pilot. Dave has approximately 20,000 hours of flight time in 50+ types of aircraft, 6,000 hours of that time were specifically spent flying seaplanes in Alaska. He holds 6 instructor ratings and two mechanic ratings, including FAA inspector authorization.
In college, Dave was an Academic All-American, a 12 time member of the USA track and field team, and qualified for 5 national triathlon championships and 3 US Olympic trials. He is also an avid fisherman. Dave spends his off-season in Washington with his wife Mary.
DON WATROUS
Pilot. Don started his flying career the same year the Space Shuttle had its maiden flight and IBM introduced the world to the first personal computer. Over the ensuing decades, he has accumulated over 11,000 flight hours in fighter jets, prop planes, and helicopters. But floatplanes in Alaska are among his very favorite. He has flown on and off in Alaska since the mid-'90s and looks forward to “bear season” and rejoining the Emerald Air Team every year. When not flying in Alaska during the summer months, he lives in Virginia, tends to the critters on his mini-farm, travels whenever and wherever he can, and flies as much as possible.
Bear Viewing Philosophy
What sets Emerald Air Service's Bear Guides Apart from Other Bear Viewing Operators?
At Emerald Air Service, we live by a simple rule: the bears come first. On our bear viewing tours in Homer, Alaska, we enter their world as respectful guests, committed to leaving Katmai’s coastal brown bears undisturbed. Our philosophy? If we disrupt a bear, we’ve missed the mark. Beyond Alaska bear watching, we educate our guests about bear behavior, lifecycles, reproduction, taxonomy, seasonal diets, and denning—not just a quick sighting. Plus, explore the region’s rich flora, fauna, geology, and history with us. Our guides use time-tested techniques, handed down through generations at Emerald Air Service, ensuring a safe, immersive experience in bear country.
Meet Our Guides
All Emerald Air Service guides are First Aid/CPR certified, graduates of the Katmai Service Provider’s Bear Viewing Guide Excellence program, and continually sharpen their expertise through in-house naturalist training. With deep knowledge of Katmai’s ecosystem and bear biology, our team brings passion to every bear viewing tour in Homer, Alaska. There’s nothing more fulfilling than watching our guests embrace a newfound love for Alaska’s brown bears and wild landscapes—our guides’ enthusiasm is contagious!
Libby Bushell
Libby B Bushell, Wildlife guide, founded HoWL, Homer Wilderness Leaders. She has been an expedition leader and backcountry guide since 2004 in Alaska, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. Libby volunteers on HoWL’s board of directors and spends her winters in Antarctica, guiding tours to see the emperor penguins. She is passionate about fostering connection between people and wilderness. Her other passions include skiing, Alaska, bears, climbing, packrafting, photography, and writing, not necessarily in that order.
Libby was lucky enough to be born and raised in Homer, Alaska; she has since made Homer her permanent home. She is a wilderness first responder, and she is excited to share her love for the bears and wilderness of Katmai with the guests of Emerald Air Service.
ARABELLA LEVINSKY
Arabella started her guiding career as a wilderness therapy guide teaching adolescents primitive fire making skills and map and compass navigation.
She first came to Alaska to guide for a Wilderness Lodge, leading kayaking and hiking. After years of working in different landscapes, she believes Katmai National Park is the most beautiful place on earth, with the greatest animals on earth - bears! With 500 field days in the backcountry, she is excited to continue to add more days on every adventure with Emerald Air Service. She plays soccer, paints, backpacks, snowboards, and teaches yoga in her free time. During the winter season, she is a guide for Aurora Borealis viewing in Fairbanks, Alaska.
MEET OUR MAINTENANCE CREW
JIM GERRITY
Director of Maintenance. Jim has over 40 years of experience as an aviation mechanic and over 35 years of experience as a pilot. Jim has held an FAA Inspector Authorization for over three decades and has found a great sense of enjoyment working in the aviation industry. With Emerald Air Service, he has realized great satisfaction in the tourism industry. As the owner of his own float plane, Jim can often be found leaving the water for the air and flying around with his wife, Sharon. When he's not flying, he and Sharon enjoy hiking, traveling, local cuisine, and concerts, and they often participate in fundraising events together as volunteers.
ROB OLSEN-DRYE
With seven years of experience as both a pilot and aircraft mechanic, Rob is dedicated to keeping Alaska’s general aviation fleet—especially the DeHavilland Beaver—airborne. From the Aleutian Chain to the Arctic, he thrives on the challenges of maintaining and operating aircraft in the rugged conditions of the Last Frontier. When he's not flying or working in tight spaces, he can be found fishing, exploring, or enjoying a well-earned snack. Known for his resourcefulness, he's always willing to try creative solutions to keep things running smoothly.
Our Aircraft
The DHC-3 Otter and DHC-2 Beaver, remains the ultimate bush plane, unmatched by modern aviation. Emerald Air Service proudly operates two of of each of these legendary aircraft for our bear viewing tours in Homer, Alaska. Upgraded with cutting-edge turbine engines and modern instrumentation, these classics now deliver enhanced power, speed, and safety, ensuring a safe and reliable flight to your Alaska bear watching adventure.
DHC-3 Otters
DH-2 Beavers
Perfect Safety Record
In 34 years of operation, Emerald Air Service has never had an accident. This is due to a tireless commitment to excellence, safety, and sound judgment regarding Alaska's unique, powerful combination of natural forces.