The sound of propellers slicing through the air is a familiar rhythm to Captain Raymond Schwab. From the cockpit of his 1957 de Havilland Beaver, he watches turquoise water give way to limestone cliffs, the kind of view that never fades into routine. 

“Every flight is a privilege,” Schwab said. “The way the turquoise water fades into deep blue, the coral reefs like paintings under the surface, the limestone cliffs of El Nido and the endless green of the forests – it never gets old.”

That sense of wonder is what drives Horizon Sun Charters, the first sustainable seaplane company in the Philippines. Schwab, a Canadian pilot who found his way to Palawan through his love of both aviation and nature, has spent years restoring his vintage aircraft and designing an operation that brings travelers closer to the islands without compromising their beauty.

“The Beaver is one of the greatest bush planes ever built, simple, powerful and reliable,” Schwab said. “It was designed to land where there are no runways, just like the remote islands and bays of Palawan.”

He found his 1957 model near Montreal in 2015 and immediately saw potential. 

“I saw more than an airplane,” he said. “I saw a piece of history that could connect people to the beauty of the Philippines. It’s the perfect blend of ruggedness and romance, and it fits Palawan’s landscape like it was made for it.”

Restoring the Beaver was a passion project that evolved into a business idea. Schwab realized the same qualities that made the aircraft a workhorse in Canada’s wilderness could serve the Philippines’ scattered geography. 

“This country is made of islands, and most of them are hard to reach,” he said. “Seaplanes are the most natural way to connect them – fast, efficient and environmentally friendly.”

Building a seaplane company from the ground up required more than love for flying. 

“I wanted to show that aviation can coexist with nature if done right,” Schwab said. “Building Horizon Sun Charters wasn’t just about flying – it was about creating infrastructure, training local people and setting a recognizable high standard.”

The company now operates as a model of small-scale, sustainable tourism. Flights are limited and tailored, with an emphasis on safety, maintenance and community benefit. 

“Our aircraft may be vintage, but our mindset is modern,” Schwab said. “We maintain the Beaver to the highest standards of safety and efficiency, using modern fuels and strict maintenance programs. Our operations are small-scale and personal – fewer flights, but meaningful ones.”

Running a private charter might sound glamorous, but Schwab said the reality is far more grounded. “It’s far from glamorous,” he said. “I’m often in the hangar and dealing with administrative tasks, helping the mechanics or solving logistics challenges and regulatory compliance.”

Each flight involves detailed coordination – checking tides, weather, fuel and safety clearances. 

“Every flight requires planning,” he said. “People see the beauty of the flight, but not the hours of preparation that make it possible.”

Despite the workload, it’s the passengers’ reactions that remind him why it’s worth it. 

“Many guests are speechless when we lift off the water – you see their faces light up like kids again,” he said. “One guest once said that ‘this is the real deal,’ talking about the travel experience. That’s what I love about it – it’s not just transportation; it’s an experience that awakens something inside people.”

For Schwab, sustainability is as much about people as it is about the environment. By training local staff and investing in community infrastructure, Horizon Sun Charters aims to keep tourism’s benefits local. 

“We build local infrastructure and train local talent, so the benefits stay within the community,” he said. “That’s sustainability in its truest form.”

That philosophy extends to his leadership style. 

“Flying teaches humility,” Schwab said. “You can’t cheat gravity or nature – you have to respect procedures, people and your environment. I run Horizon Sun Charters the same way I fly, with discipline, responsibility and care. My job is to keep everyone safe, motivated and focused on doing things the right way – even when no one is watching.”

From his seat above Palawan, Schwab sees not just scenery but a reminder of purpose. 

“For me, I feel at peace,” he said. “It reminds me why I built this company – to share that feeling.”

His work has made Horizon Sun Charters more than a transportation service. It’s become a platform for mindful exploration, where travelers reconnect with nature through the intimacy of flight. 

“I hope they carry a sense of connection – not just to Palawan, but to life itself,” he said. “Flying low over the islands gives you a new perspective. It makes you appreciate nature, people and the simplicity of things. If they go home with a story to tell and a spark of inspiration, then we’ve done our job.”

Asked who he would most like to take on a flight, Schwab didn’t hesitate. 

“My father,” he said. “He worked hard all his life on a dairy farm, and he’s the reason I learned the value of perseverance. I’d love to show him what his son built – the view, the freedom, the dream that took flight.”

When he’s not in the air, Schwab keeps close to the same landscape he celebrates from above. 

“I love quiet moments: reading a good book or exploring the natural beauty of Palawan by trekking through its forest and mountains,” he said. “We have a travel and tour company, Meeting Spot Travel & Tours, that organizes trekking, and I love to join them. That simplicity keeps me grounded – it’s the same peace I feel when I fly.”

For Schwab, flight is both work and meditation, a way to balance the mechanics of aviation with the stillness of the islands. The hum of the Beaver’s engine has become part of Palawan’s soundscape – steady, purposeful and deeply connected to the place it calls home.