The South Carolina Aviation
Hall of Fame
Preserving History Honoring the Past
Lester F. Hembel
1994
Inspired by Lindberg’s flight across the Atlantic, Lester Hembel began his aviation career in 1929. He established Hembel Brothers Flying Service and “barnstormed” his way through the early thirties.
In 1940, he came to South Carolina and completed the Civilian Pilot Training Program. He was then employed as a program instructor. Hembel established and taught aviation courses at the University of South Carolina. Known as ”Mr. Helicopter,” Hembel was a pioneer introducing the new method of flight to South Carolina.
Appointed as a pilot examiner in 1964, he issued more than 900 pilot certificates through 1993. In 1975, he was named FAA flight instructor of the year. An outstanding civil servant, he was awarded the Bronze Plaque of South Carolina.
Les Hembel (right) instructing at the Columbia Army Air Base circa 1941
Les was the first licensed Ground Instructor in SC.
He trained mechanics and pilots during WWII at the Hawthorne Flying Service
located at what is now the Columbia Metro Airport.
Photo: Les Hembel Collection
Les Hembel (R), member of SC Aeronautics Commission presenting Aviation Award
to Odell Garrison, Columbia SC circa 1950's
Photo from Odell Garrison Collection
1958 OX-5 Carolina's Wing organizational meeting.
From left standing: Wilson Mills, Al Thomas, Bob Bryant, Less Hembel, Noble Mills, R. Chunn
Seated: Dexter Martin, M. B. Huggins
Bold print indicates SC Aviation Hall of Fame member
Photo from the Wilson Mills Collection
Cira 1980. Les Hembel displays his newest addition to
South Carolina Helicopters, Inc. Flight Training School.
"The instrument meteorological conditions simulator."
Photo: Les Hembel Collection
1963, the first Hughes 500 ever built visits Les Hembel's Home in Saluda, SC
Photo: Les Hembel
1971 OX-5 meeting at Wings & Wheels Museum, Santee, SC
Recognizing a few from left, standing:
1. Haskell Deaton, 2. Wilson Mills, 3. Johnny E. Crowell,
6. Dick Merrill, 7. Odell Garrison, 16. Dexter Martin.
From left, first row:
1. Reavis Nelson, 3. Bevo Howard, 7. Les Hembel
Photo from the Bob Bryant Collection
