SunState Aviation Builds New Facility at Kissimmee Gateway Airport

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (December 15, 2011) - Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM) announces its airport business, SunState Aviation, is replacing its current facility with a new, 16,000-square-foot building with a grand opening projected for Fall 2012. Construction began early this month, and the new facility will be dedicated mostly to expansion of the flight school's hangar for aircraft maintenance, but will also include enhancements to its training center with larger office and classroom spaces, a sandwich and pilot supply shop, observation decks, a simulator room with state-of-the-art training devices and a Federal Aviation Association (FAA) testing center.

"City of Kissimmee is very pleased SunState Aviation is taking this bold step with us, and we look forward to announcing a specific date for the grand opening of the facility in a few months," says Terry Lloyd, director, Kissimmee Gateway Airport.

SunState Aviation's architecturally unique facility, which is being built by Britt Construction, Inc., with financing provided by BB&T Bank, will set the tone for redevelopment of the Airport's southeast quadrant, an area with facilities dating back to 1970. This area includes a proposed site for the Airport's replacement control tower, a project under preliminary review by the FAA. Further redevelopment of the area will happen as current Airport leases expire.

About SunState Aviation

Sunstate Aviation is an FAA part 141 approved flight school specializing in accelerated flight training for sport pilot, private pilot, instrument ratings, commercial, ATP, single-engine, multi-engine and helicopter flight training in new, technically advanced aircraft. For more information about Sunstate Aviation, please visit www.sunstateaviation.com.

About Kissimmee Gateway Airport

Located just eight miles from Walt Disney World and 10 miles from the Orange County Convention Center, Kissimmee Gateway Airport accommodates general aviation air service 24 hours a day with two paved runways, 5,000 and 6,000 feet each. The airport also offers full-service FBOs, flight training, aircraft storage, aircraft restoration, P-51 Mustang pilot training, T-6 Warbird adventure flights and an industrial park. Its air traffic control tower operates from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Built in 1942, Kissimmee Gateway Airport is owned and operated by the City of Kissimmee. For more information, visit www.kissimmeeairport.com.