KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 21, 2009) – Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) announced today that its airport business, SunState Aviation, will continue to support Osceola High School’s (OHS) extracurricular aviation program for the 2009 – 2010 school year. The program, which began in 2006, provides high school students with opportunities to explore their interests in the aviation industry to pursue future careers.

“As the aviation program celebrates its third year, we want to encourage students and parents of Osceola High School to take advantage of this unique opportunity in our community,” said Mike Camelin, director of SunState Aviation. “SunState Aviation’s involvement with the program allows us to provide supervised guidance and training programs to students while they gain real-world experience in the aviation industry.”

Matthew Somers, an OHS student and senior patrol leader for Boy Scouts of America Troop 826, received an introductory flight lesson at SunState Aviation through the Academy. The program gives Somers a head start in pursuing a career as a professional pilot.

“The Academy is a very responsible, methodical program for pilots that requires hard work and dedication,” said Larry Walter, president of Hanson-Walter & Associates and Troop advisor. “It gives practical experiences to students engaged in the program.”

Walter encourages students to participate in opportunities available to them inside and outside of school, such as the Aviation Academy at OHS and the Boy Scouts of America.

The OHS Aviation Academy is a magnet program located on the high school’s campus. The program has two partners, along with SunState Aviation, including the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) and Utah Valley State College (UVSC). The EAA-initiated Aero Scholars program is designed for students to be able to earn both high school and college credits in an aviation-focused curriculum. UVSC’s Global Aviation Degree Program provides flight training locally through SunState Aviation, which is also the local Cessna Pilot Center at Kissimmee Gateway Airport.

SunState Aviation received Osceola High School’s 2008 – 2009 Partner of the Year award. The award was given to SunState Aviation to recognize its development of and on-going commitment to OHS’s aviation program.

New Seminar Offers Pilots & Aircraft Owners More Knowledge, Benefits of Preventative Maintenance, Increased Safety

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (February 17, 2009) – SunState Aviation Flight School at Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) announced today that it has recently introduced a two-day Aircraft Maintenance Course for aircraft owners and pilots.

The course is taught by Jack Mears, a licensed pilot, A&P mechanic and holds an Inspector Authorization (IA). He has also restored and maintained several Warbirds, including the B-25, B-17 and T-6 Texan. According to Mears, “this course is designed for pilots and aircraft owners wanting to know more about the operation of their aircrafts and the maintenance that can be accomplished by a pilot.” Mears adds, “this course is not for people wanting to become an aircraft mechanic but, rather, for pilots and aircraft owners who really want to have a better understanding of how the systems of their aircraft work and of the whole maintenance process, including understanding Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Service Bulletins and other related documentation.”

During this course pilots will learn how to change oil, filters, tires, spark plugs, safety wire and other preventative maintenance procedures through hands-on instruction. They will also learn how to better operate, trouble-shoot and handle malfunctions in an aircraft, even if someone else will perform the actual maintenance. A session on maintenance human factors and how to communicate with maintenance professionals is also included.

One pilot who has taken the course commented, “The two-day seminar was time well spent, and I feel that it made me a safer and more aware pilot. I believe that every individual that flies aircraft would benefit from such a course. This includes student pilots, instructors and even current pilots. There is no doubt in my mind that mandatory completion of this course would significantly reduce aircraft accidents.”
The cost for this course is only $550, which includes all training materials. For more information, pilots and aircraft owners are encouraged to contact Mike Camelin at SunState Aviation Flight School by calling 407-944-3592. Information is also available at http://www.sunstateaviation.com.

Kissimmee Airport Business Receives Osceola High School Award

SunState Aviation selected as high school’s partner of the year

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (May 14, 2008) – Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) announced today that its airport business, SunState Aviation, was recently chosen as Osceola High School’s (OHS) 2007-2008 Partner of the Year. The award was given to SunState Aviation to recognize its development of and on-going commitment to OHS’s aviation program started in 2006.

“Osceola High School’s Aviation Academy has exceeded our expectations, thanks to SunState Aviation,” said Chuck Paradiso, principal of Osceola High School. “Our aviation program’s relationship with SunState Aviation illustrates what community businesses can do to enhance Florida’s high school curriculum.”

“SunState Aviation is proud to have been selected as Osceola High School’s Partner of the Year,” said Mike Camelin, director of SunState Aviation. “We enjoy working with the students and providing training materials, speakers and complimentary training flights as rewards for student accomplishments.”

The OHS Aviation Academy is a magnet program located on campus. Now in its second year, the program has two partners along with SunState Aviation, including the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) and Utah Valley State College (UVSC). The EAA initiated Aero Scholars, a program designed for students to be able to earn both high school and college credit in an aviation-focused curriculum. UVSC’s Global Aviation Degree Program provides flight training locally through SunState Aviation, which is also the local Cessna Pilot Center at Kissimmee Gateway Airport.

SunState Aviation Reaches New Altitudes

Trains more G1000 pilots than any other flight training center in the country

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (September 10, 2006) – SunState Aviation Flight School located at Kissimmee Gateway Airport, (ISM), was recently informed by Cessna Aircraft Company that the school has trained more pilots on the G1000 FITS (FAA & Industry Training Standards) transition course for Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) than any other flight training center in the country.

The FITS Training program teaches pilots how to transition to flying a TAA plane. This type of aircraft is typically referred to as having a “glass cockpit” because the gauges and dials found in a traditional aircraft are replaced with computer screens that offer more reliable technology. The computer screens provide additional information, including weather radar and a GPS navigational system that increases the safety of flying.

The FAA-approved FITS training is divided into classroom sessions and flight training. The goal is to have pilots train the way they fly from the start by providing real scenario-based challenges that improve a pilot’s decision-making skills.

"All of us at SunState Aviation are very proud to be recognized as the top Cessna pilot center in America, especially since we are only in our fifth year of operation," Mike Camelin, director of SunState Aviation said. “What many aspiring career pilots are starting to realize is that the pilot job market is now emphasizing glass cockpit training and experience as a prerequisite for employment.”

Currently, SunState Aviation has seven Garmin G1000 glass cockpit equipped aircraft and are planning to become a completely glass cockpit flight school in the near future.

For more information about the FITS transition course, contact SunState Aviation at www.sunstateaviation.com.

Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and now Aviation

Local high school students takeoff with new aviation magnet program

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (May 19, 2006) – SunState Aviation Flight School, Florida’s premier accelerated flight training center, located at Kissimmee Gateway Airport, (ISM), is partnering with the Osceola County school district to offer an aviation magnet program for local high school students.

Osceola High School, (OHS), is the first school to offer the program to more than 30 underclassmen this fall. In January, the program will extend to upperclassmen at the high school through a dual enrollment online degree program offered by Utah Valley State College. OHS will partner with SunState Aviation and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) to offer the aviation courses. Core curriculum will include:

Aeronautics
Aerospace Applications of Math and Science
Flight Operations
Introduction to Flight
Human Factors of Aviation

OHS will offer the courses as elective classes and students can register to receive college credit. After completing the program, students can further their flight skills with the SunState Aviation’s pilot training program to obtain their pilot’s license.

"The airport is proud to take part in a program that will educate students about aviation," Terry Lloyd, director of aviation said. "We enjoy providing airport resources to help students pursue their dreams and to benefit the local community."

For more information on the aviation magnet program, contact Barbara Wendland, Director of Guidance at 407-518-5425.