After 94 years and more than 20,000 pilots trained, Galvin Flying Center at KBFI shuts down. [Courtesy: Meg Godlewski]
Key Takeaways:
Galvin Flying, the oldest flight school at King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KBFI), has abruptly closed after 94 years, citing the unfeasibility of providing general aviation services at the airport.
The closure surprised employees, who were informed without severance or unused vacation pay, and customers, as well as local county officials who stated it was a business decision by Galvin.
Galvin Flying was the last fixed-wing flight school at KBFI, and its departure signifies a further reduction in general aviation presence at the airport, which has seen training facilities replaced by corporate hangars.
SEATTLE—“It is with a heavy heart that I share unfortunate news…”
So began an email sentlate last month to employees of Galvin Flying, the oldest operating flight school at King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KBFI), informing them that the business was closing after 94 years in operation.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
