The Key West Citizen Newspaper, August 2, 1954, Page 7

‘This Week’s Feuture Advertisement | Dreams Do Come True—Read “The Faraldo Story’ Plane TT Hotel rawiom FLY TO HAVANA ..2.. KEY WEST-HAVANA OVERSEAS TOURS 721-723 DUVAL STREET PHONES 2-501] - 2-531] - 2-569] ECONOMY TOUR ___________ $26.00 1 TOURS INCLUDE—Auto Parking, Plane Tickets, TWO-DAY TOUR 32.00 Transfer in Havana, Hotel, Guide, Admission Fees when necessary, Tours ef Old and New THREE-DAY TOUR - 36.00 | Havana, Tropical Gardens, Rum Distillery, Cigar (LONGER TOURS IF DESIRED) GULF LIFE Night Life. INSURANCE Key West Underwriters H. M. ALBURY — CHARLES CURRY FRANK SIMPSON — HERMAN GOLDSTEIN CLIFF HABERLAND — ERNEST HOPKINS BURL PINDER — WARREN WILLIAMS JOSE CARTAYA — THOMAS CURRY GERALD’ SAUNDERS, JOE SAWYER HAROLD TODD (Superintendents) J. B. SYMMONETTE District Manager 515% Duval Ph. 2-2272 During the children’s “Growing Up” years— family expenses are heavy, the need for life insurance is greatest. Te help family men and women meet this problem Gulf Life Offers THE DOUBLE PROTECTION POLICY (All Benefits for Loss are DOUBLED) Ask your friendly Guif Life Underwriter for fur- ther information on this eutstanding policy — when yeu are 65 — ready te retire, the face amount ef your policy is fully paid up! Monroe Specialty Co. 1980 Flagler Ave. Phone 2-3014 WATCH FOR OPENING With A Complete Line of § 4 ACORN MARINE PAINTS, VARNISHES AND ENAMELS and “Do-It-Yourself” < BRUSH ON .ROOFING PRODUCTS Norton Harris, Bill Coppage, and “Auld Clootie’” Mendoza : to serve you DICK SAYS: “Take Advantage Of mista KEY WEST BARGAIN DAYS Cha BUY THREE U.S. ROYAL AIR-RIDES — ONE FREE! As an extra attraction, Dick will alse give a free tube with each three new tubes and tirés purchased. Your eld tires in exchange, ef course. BZ Prompt, Courteous Road Service ited TELEPHONE 22842 DICK’S TIRE SERVICE Headquarters rnomeaat Recaps RCA-VICTOR — ZENITH TELEVISION SALES ANTENNAS — ROTORS — MASTS ANTENNA INSTALLATIONS ...'... . $75 Whenever You Have Trouble With Your TV or Radio ... Call Us For Fast, Courteous, and Reliable Service AUTOMOBILE RADIOS OUR SPECIALTY 2 PRATT’ Radio and Tele- vision Service 614 GREENE STREET TELEPHONE 2-7$12 DO YOU HAVE.... AN OLD PICTURE . .. A TREASURED PORTRAIT? DON RAY PORTRAIT STUDIO. 708 DUVAL STREET Provides An Outstanding and istinctive Service In This Field COPIES OF OLD FAMILY ALBUM PICTURES CAN BE MADE RE- GARDLESS OF THE CONDITION OF THE PICTURE! Bring Your Old Photograph to the DON. RAY STUDIO for A Free Estimate OPEN 12:00 NOON UNTIL 9:00 P.M. EVERY DAY Neither Depression, War Nor Hurricane Could Stop George And Norma Faraldo By BILL GIBB . The saga of George and Norma. Faraldo—pioneers of Key West aviation—reads like fiction. It is an inspiring tale for youngsters; it twists the hearts of adults with poignant mem- ories of their own early struggles. Faraldo’s Flying Service is more than just a business—it is a symbol of the American youth's ability to achieve success and in so doing, to aid his home town. Key West has George and Norma Faraldo to thank for its developments along the line of aviation. Back in 1936, George was bitten by a ‘flying bug” That was in the middle of the depression—a time when most young men allowed their ambitions to become buried in the mire of alpha- betical dole systems inaugurated by Roosevelt—WPA, NYA, CCC, and what have you. Faraldo owned an old jalopy and he was so determined to fly that he traded this for a broken down airplane. This was right after the railroad bridges washed out. Pan American operated a seaplane into Key West but outside of that, local aviation didn’t amount to much. During the depres- sion years, Faraldo fought an up-hill battle just to be able to exercise his hobby of flying. World War II pulled Key West out of its slump. George wasn’t able to enjoy the new-found Prosperity, however. He and about ten million other guys were too busy licking the Japs and Nazis. Faraldo Aerial Photo Service Back Home In,’45 Although the Allies won the war, George was one of the a lads who came near not being here to know about it. He pre- fers not to discuss his Navy activities so we'll pick up his story in 1945. It was at this time that he and Norma established the first CAA approved school in Key West. George holds ratings to instruct in single and multi-engined aircraft, land and sea, private or commercial. He is also a CAA approved mainten- ance inspector for aircraft and engines. Those kind of ratings ane gained through sweat and toil. The Faraldo Flying Service operates the only CAA approved school in Key West. In recognition of George Faraldo’s ability and integrity, the Civil Aeronautics Administration has also ap- pointed him Safety Inspector at Meacham Field. When George commenced operation of his school in 1945, the future looked rosy. He scraped the bottom of the barrel, bought several airplanes, and found prospective students among many returning GI's. By 1948, the Faraldo Flying Service was an as- sured success. Besides the school, George was able to rake up a few customers for charters, aerial photography, and sight- seeing. Fate, however, proved to be a two-faced wench! In 1948, the hurricane struck Key West. The Farakdos lost everything they had. It was a blow which would have made many decide to stop trying. George and Norma ‘kept their chins up.’ If a World War hadn’t beaten them, they figured they sure as the dickens weren’t going to quit because of a sissy hurricane. Weary Business Of Starting Again It was rough going—starting from scratch again. Most likely, at this stage, Norma was the heroine. (The wife usually is!) A word from her and George would have’ probably chucked the whole business overboard. Instead, they borrowed some money and started in all over again. George now owns quite a few airplanes—Stinson, Globe Swift, Ercoupe, SeaBee, Aeronica, Cubs, etc. Some of them are used to instruct students, others are for sale. All of them are available for charter or sightseeing. Chief Flight Instructor at the Faraldo Flying School is Fred Johnson. Both Johnson and Faraldo hold excellent ratings and recommendations from the Civil Aeronautics Administration. Air taxi service to Miami is $50. Return trip free. One to three passengers may make the trip for this amount. Cost of holding the plane in Miami is $3 per hour after the first hour. Sightseeing over Key West is $3; over the Keys, it depends upon the amount of territory a passenger wishes to see. ‘ Aerial photography is one of Faraldo’s specialities. He caters to both realtors and prospective land buyers. George has a complete set of aerial pictures covering every inch of Monroe County. These may be bought individually, or as a unit. Motorcycles And Scooters George and the men who work for him are excellent me- chanics and like to be around motors even when they’re not flying. It is only natural, therefore, for George to operate a motorcycle and scooter sales and service. Right now, there are some excellent buys in this line. Be- cause he has already been ‘burnt’ by one hurricane, George is anxious to dispose of all his present stock of ‘bikes.’ He has a new Triumph motorcycle for sale which is way below cost. George figures it is better to sell it than to have a “big wind” come along and get rid of it for him. Newest thing in the cycle line is “The Cycle-Scoot”—e brand new scooter with a Briggs Stratton engine which sells at $189. That’s a price that can’t be beat. If you're interested in scooters, visit Faraldo at Meacham Airport. He has new and used Mustangs, also. Repair and maintenance service is always avajlable at Faraldo’s. This is a big attraction for many scooter owners. Located On East Boulevard The Faraldo Flying Service is located at Meacham Field on East Boulevard. Telephone 2-5422. If you've never seen Key West from the air, you ought to make the trip. But even if you're a confirmed “ground-lover,” it is still worth your while to visit Faraldo and look over his aerial photographs. George and Norma Faraldo are proud of Key West. Key West—in turn—has reason to be proud of them. Why not learn to fly at this CAA approved schol? Lessons are only $5.50 and the average person can solo for less than a hundred dollars. ¥ Menday, August 2, 1954 THE KEY WEST CITIZEN EIL Q@AUNDERS EON IGNS Built and Installed By City Code With Underwriters’ Approved Material OUTDOOR ADVERTISING COMMERCIAL SIGNS Its Better Bedding Time and the Price is COMFORTABLE SIMMONS’ HEALTH MATTRESS ALTMAN’S FURNITURE CO. *s:-37 OVERSEAS CYCLE STORE 1030 Eaton Street Phone 2-6016" Bicycles Sold - Rented - Repaired ROYAL HUNTER ENGLISH-BUILT MEN‘S AND LADIES’ LIGHTWEIGHT BICYCLES, with Frent and Rear Hand Brakes... Sturmy-Archer, 3-Speed Rear Drive, Complete with Accessories . WE HAVE ALL SIZES OF SCHWINN BALLOON TIRE BICYCLES, from ——— — eee eee We Repair ALL MAKES of American and English Made BICYCLES ALL PARTS AND ACCESSORIES IN STOCK Nights 2-8683 Moving? ... Request UNITED VAN LINES : Agent KEY WEST MOVING AND STORAGE WAREHOUSES 700 Elizabeth Street “Locally Owned For Better Service” SALES - SERVICE AND ACCESSORIES HARLEY-DAVIDSON AGENCY 1396 DUVAL STREET Frede Aunapu, Dealer PHONE 2-5353 LOOK!!! EVINRUDE LIGHTWIN Wonderfully light and powerful — capable performance on family and fishing boats — the ideal “take-along” motor for use on rental craft. Come In and See the Lightwin—and the Complete Evinrude Line for °54 KEY WEST OUTBOARD Sales and Service Outboard Motors — Boats — Tackle 1116 EATON STREET PHONE 2.3715