Hello to all in BT land:

I've been a member here since 2013 and have visited at least weekly, sometimes daily, for that entire span. Why no posts until now? Well, until January of 2015 my family ran a sizeable and regionally well-known FBO at KORL, Showalter Flying Service. I felt it was the smartest policy to keep my "aviation internet" footprint rather small, and we asked our management team to do the same. I had watched others get dragged into arguments about fuel prices, hangar rates, facility fees, etc. and they rarely ended well. Our Facebook page was occasionally attacked by enraged and irrational customers; our AirNav comments section sometimes the same. As hard as it was to stay quiet, I felt it was best to not acknowledge such behavior or to further expose me or the company to such "internet warriors."

Now before you say it let me...BT is a different world, and a breath of fresh air. Nearly every post I read on here is civil, well articulated, and well meaning. Now where else on the internet can you find THAT?!?

Quite frankly there is one more reason that today marks my first post. BT lost a user today whose posts I have read with great interest (Pascal Gosselin). The genuine and heartfelt condolences expressed on that thread, which I share, urged me to introduce myself.

I am still in the airplane business, buying/selling/brokering aircraft, and although my intention is not to "pimp my wares" on here I will be sponsoring BT as well. Just seems like the right thing to do for a site that fosters such valuable exchanges of information for folks both old hand and brand new at this endeavor.

There are more than a few users on here that I know personally, and over the years I've bitten my tongue (my fingers?) and resisted to urge to not respond to a post here or there. No more! Looking forward to interacting with you all.

Sandy Showalter

Well, WELCOME, Sandy -- officially now since you have a first post, even though it's 2-1/2 years overdue!

I can't say all the posts I've read have been completely civil, but they all seem to work out in the end, and I completely agree - BT Is a wealth of information and at least the arguments, (OK, "disagreements") are built from well informed, fact-based positions...

("Jane, you ignorant slut?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jEVCX-d4Zk)

Why not "pimp your wares" here? There's a forum for that, too! It's always nice to have reputable and informed sellers!

Sorry your family left the business, but glad you're carrying on the torch somewhere in the industry!

Looking forward to reading more of your posts!

Doc

Welcome!

Sandy, awesome to have you. Thank you for your support of BT.

With friends at Sanford I don't fly into Executive much but now I'll have to say "hi" to your staff.

All the best to you and your family.

Thank you for the kind welcome gentleman.

Get on board Sandy, great resume.
Mark

A great first post Sandy, so happy you are here, welcome to BT!

Great story Sandy glad you're here!

Sandy, did you just get engines put in a Seneca at Continental, Fairhope?
If so, I flew the initial post install flights and break in flights.

Welcome to BT!, you will find many interesting topics here .

Welcome. Look forward to hearing from you.
Fly safe and often.

Sure did Chuck, that is an inventory airplane and she is flying just great with the new motors on, you got her dialed in very nice! Thank you!

Sandy

Welcome Sandy!

You've got a lot of catching up to do!

Sandy,

Come on in the waters fine!

Dave C