Mitchell County native Galen Howell, an airplane pilot at Grand Canyon National Park, has been selected as the 2020 National Park Service (NPS) Aviator of the Year.
The award recognizes an individual who has performed missions of significant consequence and valor or has actively promoted the advancement or recognition of an NPS aviation program, mission or service. This award is given to one individual once a year.
Howell grew up in Spruce Pine, the son of Joe and Nell Howell. His father, who passed away in 2001, owned Joe Howell’s store in Ingalls for over 50 years.
Howell and his family members grew up helping their father run the store and many still live in the area.
In 1991, Howell left North Carolina to begin a career with the National Park Service. He combined his experience as a private pilot and flight instructor with his desire to be in the outdoors and became a ranger pilot.
His career with the National Park Service has taken him from South Dakota to Utah, Wyoming, Alaska and Arizona.
“Galen is a true asset to the entire NPS aviation program,” said NPS National Aviation Manager John Buehler. ”His aviation knowledge, aviation skills and dedication to the program is exceptional and the NPS National Aviation Office is excited to have the opportunity to acknowledge his contributions.”
Howell has served the NPS for 12 years as an FAA certified flight instructor and Department of the Interior (DOI) mentor pilot for the NPS Developmental Pilot Program. Howell is an experienced and trusted pilot who provides basic and advanced flight operations training for new and experienced pilots.
His skills and judgement have been called upon by the NPS National Fleet Aircraft and Pilot Specialist to determine a pilot’s ability to fly in the challenging environments found in the national parks.
Howell’s experience has earned him two in-flight action awards for safely and successfully dealing with in-flight emergencies.
In addition to providing critical mentoring and training to NPS pilot and pilot-candidates, Howell teaches and provides mentoring to non-pilots under the DOI Pinch-Hitter course.
Howell proactively trains to fly air-attack missions for wildland fire operations and annually supports interagency training for the Arizona National Guard, providing a realistic simulation for both Blackhawk helicopter pilots and ground crews.
“Howell’s continuous promotion and advancement of the NPS aviation program is above and beyond the standard pilot position and is a tremendous benefit to the NPS,” Buehler said.