Howard and Sandy Showalter, and Buck Rogers started Showalter Airpark, the first private airport in Winter Park, in 1945.
Listen as Showalter Flying Service owners Bob and Kim Showalter share the history of the aviation company and our community in this excerpt from an oral history interview at Showalter Flying Service at Orlando Executive Airport on January 14, 2015.
LISTEN Part I (18:42)
Sandy Showalter surveys the future home of Showalter Airpark, November 1945.
Buck Rogers on the tractor working to prepare the property for the future Showalter Airpark, 1945.
Howard Showalter supervises construction at Showalter Airpark, circa 1945.
The newly constructed hangar at Showalter Airpark, circa 1945.
The business made aviation history and is cited in a number of aviation books.
For instance, in Aviation in Florida they mention: “Also in Winter Park was the Showalter Airpark, established by Howard and Sandy Showalter and Buck Rogers in 1945… The airpark became the base for the Showalter Flying Service, recognized as one of the nation’s best fixed-base operators (FBOs)….” Wings in the Sun: A History of Florida Aviation states, “The Showalter Airpark owned and operated by the Showalter brothers at Winter Park is one of the finest privately owned airports in the United States.”
Air show at Showalter Airpark, circa 1950.
Showalter Flying Service opened a new flight school and flying service at Orlando Municipal Airport in October 1947.
Orlando: a centennial history notes: “Orlando’s position as the air center of Florida was spurred early in January of 1948 with the announcement that the Showalter Corporation had purchased the Raymond Aviation Company at the municipal airport.”
In May 1951, Showalter Corporation signed a lease with the City of Orlando and agreed to move flying activities from Showalter Airpark in Winter Park to Orlando Municipal Airport.
Sandy Showalter, Buck Rogers, and Howard Showalter on the plane at Showalter Flying Service at Orlando Municipal Airport, circa 1958.
Showalter Flying Service, the FBO family business of 70 years has brought much to the development of Central Florida with their business and community contributions.
Showalter Flying Service brought nine National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) shows here to Orlando.
In 2013 Showalter Flying Service received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Aviation Fuels from Phillips 66.
A History of The Showalter Flying Corp. and Showalter Flying Service Inc. 1945-1975 compiled by Ford B. Rogers, Jr. President.
Part I The Showalter Motorette Company, Aerial photos and plans for Showalter Airpark in Winter Park, letters.
Part II Showalter Airpark, aerial photos and news articles.
Part III Showalter Airpark Air Show photos, news articles and opening of Showalter Flying Service.
Part IV Showalter Flying Service business clients, aerial photos, and Margaret Bourke-White.
Part V 1960’s Aerial photos, articles, and celebrity photos.
Part VI Airplane photos, employee photos, 1965 – 20 Year Anniversary of Showalter Flying Service.
Part VII 25 Year Anniversary of Showalter Flying Service, brochures, 1960’s articles, staff photos.
Part VIII Aerial photos 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s, employee photos, and expansion.
Part IX Aerial photos, employee photos, and Showalter news articles.
Part X Aerial photos, airplane photos, and celebrity photos.
Part XI Showalter Flying Service Christmas Party, AOPA and aviation news.
Part XII 40th Anniversary of Showalter Flying Service, 1989 Christmas Party, Fly-In Breakfast photos.
Part XIII Aviation news and articles, 1990 Christmas Party.
Part XIV Kumquat Parade November 1990, news, and WWII B-17 Bomber.
Search OrlandoMemory.info using “Showalter” for additional information, documents, and images pertaining to the Showalter family and their enterprises.
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Sandy Showalter Surveys the Future Home of Showalter Airpark
Sandy Showalter surveys the future home of Showalter Airpark, November 1945. According to the plans, the main entrance to the first private airport...
Showalter Airpark's Future Home, 1945
Showalter Airpark, circa November 1945, prior to development of the first private airport in Winter Park. According to the November 1945 plans, the...
Sandy Showalter Working Outside Hangar One, circa 1945
Sandy Showalter working on the tractor outside Hangar One at Showalter Airpark, 1945. Showalter Airpark was the first private airport in Winter Park. ...
Buck Rogers Preparing the Field at Showalter Airpark, 1945
Buck Rogers on the tractor working to prepare the property for the future Showalter Airpark, 1945. Howard and Sandy Showalter, and Buck Rogers...
Aerial Photo for Showalter AirPark, November 1945
Aerial photo of Oviedo Highway and St. Andrews Blvd. looking south, the future location of Showalter Airpark the first private airport in...
Aerial Photo for Showalter Airpark, November 1945
Aerial photo of Oviedo Highway and St. Andrews Blvd. looking northeast, the future location of Showalter Airpark the first private airport in...
Aerial Photo for Showalter Airpark, November 1945
Aerial photo looking northwest of the future location of Showalter Airpark, the first private airport in Winter Park. The railroad can be...
Winter Airpark Survey Sketch, November 1945
November 11, 1945 Survey Sketch "C" for Winter Airpark, later known as Showalter Airpark. According to the November 1945 plans, the main entrance...
Showalter Airpark Design Plans, 1945
Design plans for Showalter Airpark, Winter Park's first private airport. According to the November 1945 plans, the main entrance to the airfield would...
Winter Airpark Survey Sketch, November 1945
November 12, 1945 Survey Sketch "D" for Winter Airpark, later known as Showalter Airpark. According to the November 1945 plans, the main entrance...
Showalter Airpark Aerial View, 1945
Aerial view of the runway layout for Showalter Airpark, November 1945. The airport design plans presented by Sandy Showalter show two graded runways,...
Showalter Airpark Aerial View, 1945
Aerial view of the runway layout for Showalter Airpark, November 1945. The airport design plans presented by Sandy Showalter show two graded runways,...
Showalter Airpark Aerial View, 1945
Aerial view of the runway layout for Showalter Airpark, November 1945. The airport design plans presented by Sandy Showalter show two graded runways,...
Showalter Airpark Aerial View, 1945
Aerial view of the runway layout for Showalter Airpark, November 1945. The airport design plans presented by Sandy Showalter show two graded runways,...
Howard Showalter Supervises Showalter Airpark Construction, 1945
Howard Showalter supervises construction at Showalter Airpark, circa 1945. Showalter Airpark was the first private airport in Winter Park. Howard and ...
Showalter Airpark Hangar, 1945
Aerial view of Showalter Airpark hangar and airport construction, circa 1945. According to the November 1945 plans, the main entrance to the airfield...
Showalter Airpark Hangar, 1945
Showalter Airpark hangar, circa 1945. According to Showalter Flying Service historical records prepared by Ford "Buck" Rogers, Jr., President, Showalt...
The New Hangar at Showalter Airpark, 1945
The newly contructed hangar at Showalter Airpark, circa 1945. Showalter Airpark was the first private airport in Winter Park. Howard and Sandy Showalt...
Showalter Airpark Hangar Two, circa 1949
A photo of Showalter Airpark Hangar Two, circa 1949. Howard and Sandy Showalter, and Buck Rogers started Showalter Airpark, the first private airport...
The New Hangar Ready for Business at Showalter Airpark, 1945
The hangar is constructed and ready for business at the new Showalter Airpark, 1945. Showalter Airpark was the first private airport in Winter...
Showalter Airpark and Sandy Showalter's Home
Aerial view of Showalter Airpark and Sandy Showalter's home, circa 1950. Howard and Sandy Showalter, and Buck Rogers started Showalter Airpark, the fi...
Hope Strong at Showalter Airpark
Hope Strong, prominent Winter Park attorney, shown with his Ercoupe at Showalter Airpark, circa 1946. Mr. Strong's wife is a student pilot and...
Sears Aerial Ad, May 1950
An aerial ad for Sears, May 1950. Walter McJordan, manager of the Orlando Sears & Roebuck Co. store, was elected president of the...
Central Florida Aviation Association, May 1950
The Central Florida Aviation Association formed recently to promote the aviation potentialities of this area elected Walton McJordan, manager of the S...
Florida Flying Farmers
The Florida Flying Farmers selected Winter Park for a business meeting and planes from all over the state flew into Showalter Airpark.......
Edward Everett Horton, Buck Rogers, and H. W. Showalter, Sr.
Edward Everett Horton, Buck Rogers, and H. W. Showalter, Sr. at Showalter Airpark, 1950. Showalter Airpark was the first private airport in Winter...
Chester P. Sanders, Showalter Airpark Flight Instructor
Chester P. Sanders, Showalter Airpark Flight Instructor, started his flight training with the Showalter Corporation in Winter Park in 1949. He used his...
Cliff McKibben, Winter Park City Manager
Cliff McKibben, City Manager of Winter Park at Showalter Airpark, circ 1951. Howard and Sandy Showalter, and Buck Rogers started Showalter Airpark,...
Buck Rogers, Arlyne Wilson, Sandy & Howard Showalter, and Bob Schutz
Buck Rogers, Arlyne Wilson, Sandy & Howard Showalter, and Bob Schutz hanging out at Showalter Airpark, circa 1950. Howard and Sandy Showalter, and...
Lee and Howard Showalter, circa 1950
Lee and Howard Showalter at Showalter Airpark, circa 1950. Howard and Sandy Showalter, and Buck Rogers started Showalter Airpark, the first private ai...
Air Show at Showalter Airpark, circa 1950
Air show at Showalter Airpark, circa 1950. Howard Showalter, Jr., president of Showalter Flight Schools, set up an all student Air Show at Showal...
Showalter Airpark, circa 1950
A photo of Showalter Airpark, circa 1950. Howard and Sandy Showalter, and Buck Rogers started Showalter Airpark in Winter Park in 1945. Showalter...
Showalter Airpark Closes, September 1951
Aerial photo of Showalter Airpark taken in August 1951, prior to closure in September 1951. The Showalter Corporation took a lease at Orlando...
Showalter Airpark Closes, September 1951
Aerial photo of Showalter Airpark taken in August 1951, prior to closure in September 1951. The Showalter Corporation took a lease at Orlando...
Showalter Airpark Closes, September 1951
Aerial photo of Showalter Airpark taken in August 1951, prior to closure in September 1951. The Showalter Corporation took a lease at Orlando...
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