Showalter Corporation

Showalter Flying Service opened a new flight school and flying service at Orlando Municipal Airport in October 1947.

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.

“In its agreement with the city, the Showalter Corp. said it would pay $150.00 a month for the hangar building, two cents on every gallon of gasoline pumped with the exception of that used in planes of the corporation, base it’s fleet now totaling 15 aircraft at the airport and provide 24 hour gasoline and attendant service.”

Howard and Sandy Showalter, and Buck Rogers started Showalter Airpark, the first private airport in Winter Park, in 1945.

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.

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.

LISTEN (18:41) 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.