It all started in the 1950s at Hollywood Burbank Airport (now called Bob Hope Airport).
His shop serviced iconic planes such as the Lockheed Super Constellation...
...and the DC3.
- JimPotter was a Commander in the U.S. Navy.
- Chuck Potter worked in management for McDonnell Douglas.
- Michael Potter was a Captain for TWA and later ran his own aviation consulting company.
- Mark Potter was a Captain for American Airlines and after retirement, flew corporate jets (and still does).
Charley Potter fathered four boys:
Chuck, Jim, Michael and Mark who would all work for the family business
and then went on to successful aviation careers of their own:
Mark Potter in his 20s and in his 60s...
Michael Potter in his 20s and in his 60s...
Michael Potter flew with TWA for 20 years and after retirement, was commissioned to fly 20 Convairs (above)
into the Mojave Civilian Flight Test Center for long-term storage — thus beginning his consulting company
P&M Aircraft in 1984.
P&M prepped aircraft for storage, dismantled jets for parts/recycling and was contracted by government agencies for training purposes.
Many entertainment companies came to Mojave and used P&M for consultation, movie props and filming locations. Famous producer/directors/artists such as Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood and Dr. Dre utilized Michael's knowledge. The Academy Award-winning film "Speed" used P&M to provide a cargo jet for their
ending explosion scene and Fox's Emmy-winning show "24" filmed at several locations on the P&M lot.
Mike Potter passed away in 2010 and is survived by his two children Susie Couture and Christopher Potter,
(who worked for his father's company and is currently flight training / logging hours in the Piper Twin Cherokee, below)...
Mark Potter, Michael's younger brother, served in the Air National Guard and worked as an aircraft mechanic for four years.
After the Guard and with a multi-engine rating, Mark's first commercial flight was to co-pilot a Lockheed Constellation. He would go on to fly for Air Cal — flying the Boeing 737 and became a Captain at age 36.
Later he would finish his commercial career as a Check Pilot with American Airlines regularly flying the Boeing 757 and 767.
Currently, as a corporate pilot, Mark commands many modern jets and is trusted to fly VIPs
all over the world. Some notable names include Jimmy Buffet, the Miami Dolphins and Developer
"Papa Doug" Manchester (to name a few).
In 2017, Mark became the recipient of the FAA-issued Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award
(recognizing pilots who have practiced safe flight operations continuously for 50 years).
Medals awarded to James A. Potter...
Here he is in his hangar being interviewed for television...
Charley Potter (right) starts his career in aviation with Texaco selling aircraft fuel...
In 1951 he incorporates his own company Potter Aircraft Service...
