Howard and Sandy Showalter, and Buck Rogers started Showalter Airpark, the first private airport in Winter Park, in 1945.
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 contructed 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.
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.
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Aerial Photo for Showalter AirPark, November 1945
Aerial Photo for Showalter Airpark, November 1945 
Aerial Photo for Showalter Airpark, November 1945 
Sandy Showalter Surveys the Future Home of Showalter Airpark
Showalter Airpark's Future Home, 1945 
Winter Airpark Survey Sketch, November 1945
Winter Airpark Survey Sketch, November 1945 
Showalter Airpark Aerial View, 1945
Showalter Airpark Aerial View, 1945 
Showalter Airpark Aerial View, 1945
Showalter Airpark Aerial View, 1945 
Showalter Airpark Design Plans, 1945
Showalter Airpark Hangar, 1945
Howard Showalter Supervises Showalter Airpark Construction, 1945
Buck Rogers Preparing the Field at Showalter Airpark, 1945
Showalter Airpark Hangar, 1945
Hope Strong at Showalter Airpark
The New Hangar at Showalter Airpark, 1945
The New Hangar Ready for Business at Showalter Airpark, 1945
Sandy Showalter Working Outside Hangar One, circa 1945 
Sears Aerial Ad, May 1950
Central Florida Aviation Association, May 1950
Florida Flying Farmers
Showalter Airpark Hangar Two, circa 1949
Edward Everett Horton, Buck Rogers, and H. W. Showalter, Sr. 
Chester P. Sanders, Showalter Airpark Flight Instructor 
Cliff McKibben, Winter Park City Manager
Showalter Airpark and Sandy Showalter's Home
Buck Rogers, Arlyne Wilson, Sandy & Howard Showalter, and Bob Schutz 
Lee and Howard Showalter, circa 1950
Showalter Airpark, circa 1950
Air Show at Showalter Airpark, circa 1950
Showalter Flying Service at Orlando Municipal Airport, 1947
Showalter Airpark Closes, September 1951
Showalter Airpark Closes, September 1951 
Showalter Airpark Closes, September 1951