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 (18:41)
Above: October 11, 1951 letter to O. L. Sands, Director of Aviation at the Orlando Municipal Airport, from Howard Showalter, Jr. , President of Showalter Corporation regarding the services offered at the airport by Showalter Flying Services. Excerpt: A mechanic is on the field from 6 AM to 3 PM. Mechanics from our Winter Park operation can be at Municipal in a few minutes time. We are equipped to handle major and minor repairs. Gasoline service is available around the clock…
Showalter Airpark made aviation history as “one of the finest privately owned airports in the United States” according to Wings in the Sun: the Annals of Aviation in Florida.
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.
ABOVE: Sandy Showalter, Howard Showalter Jr. and Buck Rogers with LIFE magazine at Showalter Flying Service at Orlando Municipal Airport. When you pick up your copy of LIFE magazine this week and study the dramatic color photographs made by that ace photo journalist Margaret Bourke-White – in LIFE’s lead picture story of the week – it will interest you to know that two of them were selected from more than four hundred made while flying over Central Florida in a plane of the Showalter Flying Service based at the Orlando Municipal Airport…. Little Stories of Business, Sunday January 2, 1955. Photo and article courtesy of The Showalter Family Archives.
Showalter Flying Service brought nine National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) shows here to Orlando.
ABOVE: Mayor Bob Carr addresses Central Florida business leaders Howard Showalter, center, Sandy Showalter, Bo Swope, Max Conrad, Bill Maurer, Buck McLean, Billy Lee and others at this luncheon, circa 1965. Photo courtesy of the Showalter Family Archives.
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.
Howard Showalter, Jr. died on October 9, 1965 saving a drowning boy in the surf off New Smyrna Beach. He was posthumously awarded the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission’s bronze medal.
In 2013 Showalter Flying Service received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Aviation Fuels from Phillips 66.
Explore additional images under Attachments, below.
For more information on the Showalter Family and Showalter Airpark Collection search OrlandoMemory.info using the term “Showalter”.
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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...
Buck Rogers, Howard Showalter, and Sandy Showalter
Buck Rogers, Howard Showalter, and Sandy Showalter outside of Showalter Flying Service at Herndon Airport, circa 1965. Showalter Flying Service opened...
Buck Rogers, Bud McGauhey, and Howard Showalter
Buck Rogers, Bud McGauhey, and Howard Showalter at Showalter Flying Service, circa 1965. Showalter Flying Service opened a new flight school and flying...
Letter to Mr. Herndon from Howard Showalter, February 1952
February 16, 1952 letter to Mr. A.B. Herndon, City Engineer, from Howard Showalter, Jr. President of Showalter Flying Service regarding buildings cons...
Letter to O. L. Sands from Howard Showalter, Jr.
October 11, 1951 letter to O. L. Sands, Director of Aviation at the Orlando Municipal Airport, from Howard Showalter, Jr. , President...
Sandy Showalter, Buck Rogers and Howard Showalter
Sandy Showalter, Buck Rogers, and Howard Showalter on the plane at Showalter Flying Service at Orlando Municipal Airport, circa 1958. Showalter Flying...
Sandy Showalter, Howard Showalter, and Buck Rogers with LIFE
Sandy Showalter, Howard Showalter Jr. and Buck Rogers with LIFE magazine at Showalter Flying Service at Orlando Municipal Airport. When you pick up...
Mayor Bob Carr and Howard Showalter, circa 1965
Mayor Bob Carr addresses Central Florida business leaders Howard Showalter, center, Sandy Showalter, Bo Swope, Max Conrad, Bill Maurer, Buck McLean, B...
Howard Showalter Saves Tony Woodruff at New Symrna Beach
Howard W. Showalter, Jr. died by drowning after saving the life of a Deland child.... Orlando Sentinel, Thursday, November 25, 1965. Articles courtesy...
Howard Showalter Awarded Carnegie Medal
Howard Showalter awarded the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission's bronze medal and citation for heroism, article June 6, 1966. Excerpt: "Showalter, genera...
