If visitors to the Museum of Flight in Seattle are lucky enough to be led on an hour-long tour of the many exhibits by docent Robert Guyette, it's likely they're going to leave with a deeper knowledge about a wide variety of aircraft.

The 61-year-old docent is a walking encyclopedia of aviation and space knowledge who's constantly surfing the Web or talking to retired pilots to find any new stories or information about the museum's many exhibits.

And while Guyette might not be able to see the exact shape and specific details of the aircraft he's talking about due to the fact he's legally blind and uses a white cane to navigate the grounds, there's a good chance he knows several stories behind the aircraft's existence.

"An aircraft's numbers don't mean very much to people," said Guyette, who was born in Tacoma and grew up in Sumner. "I try to talk very elementary - in terms of stories."

While looking for volunteer opportunities about three years ago, Guyette sat next to another museum docent on a mobility shuttle he rides routinely. The two started talking and the docent suggested Guyette give it a try. He now volunteers three days a week leading 30- and 60-minute long tours.

"This is where I want to be," he said. "(All the docents) are working for something for the good of the local community."

But getting acclimated to the huge facility was a challenge at first for Guyette. He had a mobility instructor accompany him on a visit to help him better orient himself to the building and all the exhibits.

"That was quite a process," said Guyette, who holds a bachelor's degree in math from Washington State University.  

It took him about a year to get fully acclimated with all the exhibits and learn how to visualize the aircraft and what he's speaking about.

"He caught on really fast ... it amazes me," said Carol Thomson, the museum's volunteer coordinator. "He learned how to count his steps, and now he feels really comfortable out there. He's very determined to do the best he can."

While Guyette admits that his biggest challenge now is answering questions about some of the visual aspects of an aircraft, he's quick to point out that he's always going to do whatever it takes to get that information and add it to his memory.

"I'll always have someone describe (the piece in question) to me," he said.

He's also had to pay close attention to remembering to always stay facing his audience and never turn his back to them.

"You're always self-evaluating after each tour," said Guyette, who's favorite museum exhibits are World War II aircraft and anything space-related.

The many resources available to blind people now have also helped Guyette craft his tours and research methods.

"Blind people were somewhat isolated (when I was younger)," Guyette said. "I find that in this day and age a lot of things have changed."

Guyette is now able to utilize programs that read out loud the text on Web pages, allowing him to incorporate more information into his tours. He's also able to bring a different dimension to visitors touring the museum, Thomson said.

"He sees the museum in a different aspect than those who have sight," she said. "He's trying to relate that to others."

The only regret Guyette has is the fact he wasn't able to get involved with the museum earlier in his life.

"I would have been here all the time in the summer (as a teenager)," he said.