Podcast Episode 002 – Thankful Aviators

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

It occurred to me the other day that since it’s Thanksgiving week, it would be a great time for me to tell you about some of the people who have helped me in my aviation career.

Join me this week, along with a very special guest, my daughter Morgan Showalter.

We discuss the following people and the impact they have had on my life:

Marvin Showalter:  My uncle.

Al Rice:  My introductory flight instructor at Moody Aviation.

Jerry Foulk, Dick Martin, and Gary Robinson:  A&P instructors at Moody Aviation.

Nard Pugyao:  My private pilot flight instructor in the Fall of 1992.IMG_0922  (This picture was taken in 2015 when Nard was passing through the airport where I work.)

Bill Powell:  My private pilot check ride examiner.  (Find out how I have a good memory of this check ride, even though I failed it the first time.)

Dan Gleason:  My instrument flight instructor.

Richard Kiser:  Founder and previous owner of Classic Aviation (A general aviation maintenance business at SHD in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.)

Steve Bradley:  Previous manager at Classic Aviation.

Kenny Painter:  My multi-engine flight instructor, among other things.

Jerry Stough:  Beech V35B owner, and Classic Aviation customer for many years.

Bob Olsen:  Maintenance Clinic inspector for American Bonanza Society (ABS.)

Scott and Jenny French:  Cessna 182 owners, local EAA members, skydivers, friends and customers of Classic Aviation.

Tom Wilkinson:  Cherokee 180 owner, local EAA member, friend and customer of Classic Aviation.

Zach Hastert:  Recent A&P graduate, flight student, and my co-worker at Classic Aviation.  (And… one of my valued podcast reviewers, I might add.  He has given me some very valuable advice and feedback.  Thank you Zach!)

Well that’s it!  I am thankful to God for every one of these people, and how they have helped me to get where I am today in aviation and in life.  I would not be here without them.

So… who has helped you?

Today’s challenge:  Write at least one or two hand-written thank you notes to people who have made a good impact in your life… it will be greatly appreciated!  Then leave me a comment and tell me briefly about it… thanks!

Next week’s podcast:  How to choose a mechanic or shop;  some key questions to ask to make the choice clear.

Thanks for listening, and see you next week!