Honoree – Richard D Janitell

Richard D Janitell

Honored 2018

Richard Janitell was born on June 24, 1950, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Instructed by Johnnie Pinell (HoF2021) Dick soloed at age 16 at Pikes Peak Airport. At age 18 he was employed by Cessna Aircraft Company to ferry aircraft from the Wichita factory to local dealers in the western states. He later flew charters for the Holly Sugar Company in Colorado Springs. Janitell has gained commercial, instrument, single engine, multi-engine, and airline transport ratings.

Dick has been involved with his family’s Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at the Colorado Springs Airport since the 1970’s. Today, he is the general manager of JHW a full service FBO that includes a hangar complex for general aviation and commercial aircraft, aircraft sales, maintenance shops, avionics shop and fueling facility.

Dick has been an ardent supporter of the development of aviation in southern Colorado. During the 1990’s Dick was the driving force behind bringing a major FedEx facility to the airport. This encompasses a 15-acre development on the north side of the airport and includes an aircraft maintenance shop, vehicle maintenance shop, freight and package sorting facility, and aircraft parking spaces.

In 2013 Dick was appointed to the Colorado Springs Mayor’s Airport Task Force and was instrumental in creating the Commercial Aeronautical Zone. The incentives created by this zone were transformative for the Colorado Springs airport and brought new companies to the Airport including a leading aerospace manufacturer, the Sierra Nevada Corporation.

Dick helped start the Pike’s Peak Regional Air Show and is on their board of directors. A major event in southern Colorado, this airshow brings aerobatic performers, military aviation, and classic warbirds to the Colorado Springs airport. The profits from this event go to non-profit military museums in the area. For the Thursday practice session, the airshow brings up to 300 special needs children from the area who get a special preview of the show. Dick has restored several classic aircraft including a North American SNJ, Hawker Sea Fury, Jet Provost, which are flown at this airshow.