US Avation Academy Announces Two New Facilities with Location in Kissimmee for Maintenance Training

US Aviation Academy recently announced the upcoming openings of two new Florida facilities: an FAA Part 147-approved aviation maintenance training school at Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM), and a career pilot training campus in Fort Pierce. US Aviation Academy is leasing facilities recently vacated by Aviator College, which will receive new leadership, new standards, and deliver a full US Aviation Academy experience from the first day of classes. Together, these openings mark the most significant single-day expansion in the Academy’s history and cement Florida as the next major step in its growing nationwide footprint.

“Opening two facilities in Florida at the same time is a statement about where this Academy is headed,” said Mike Sykes, CEO, US Aviation Academy. “We’re not just training pilots anymore, we’re building a fully integrated aviation education platform with the infrastructure, the approvals, and the airline relationships to take students from day one of training all the way to a career in the cockpit or the hangar.”

The FAA Part 147-approved aviation maintenance training school at Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) will train students for FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification, one of the most in-demand credentials in the industry, as airlines and MRO operators face a deepening shortage of qualified maintenance technicians alongside the well-documented pilot shortage. The Kissimmee aviation maintenance training school sits at the heart of Central Florida’s aviation corridor, with proximity to major carriers, aviation maintenance providers, and the broader aerospace industry concentrated around the Orlando metropolitan area. The campus benefits from the same favorable flying weather and active aviation environment that makes Central Florida one of the premier locations in the country for aviation training of all kinds.

The Fort Pierce career pilot training campus is one of the largest flight training facilities in Florida, with significant capacity for fleet expansion, additional flight simulators, classroom and administrative space, and student housing. Designed from the ground up to take students all the way from first flight to airline cockpit, the Academy has extensive room to grow enrollment and infrastructure at this location for years to come. Fort Pierce, Florida, is a strategic advantage for career pilot training. With Orlando, Palm Beach, Lakeland, and Tampa all within reach, students train in some of the most active and diverse airspace in the United States, building real-world experience across varied weather, traffic patterns, and controlled airspace environments that prepare them for careers at any airline, anywhere in the world.

With locations now spanning from New York to Florida to Texas and beyond, US Aviation Academy is building the infrastructure to deliver career pilot training and aviation maintenance training at a national scale, while giving airline and industry partners a broader, more reliable pipeline of career-ready graduates than any single-location school can offer. Additional locations remain under evaluation as the Academy continues its expansion. Prospective students interested in the Fort Pierce career pilot training program or the Kissimmee aviation maintenance training school are encouraged to contact the Academy’s admissions team for complete details on programs, enrollment timelines, costs, and career outcomes.

Celebrating National Aviation Week at ISM

Earlier this month, National Aviation Week celebrations were in full effect at ISM - highlighting the services, businesses, training programs, and people that support aviation at the airport. We began spotlighting our two FBOs, who provide fueling, ground handling, aircraft parking and storage, and amenities for pilots, crews and passengers. Then we took a look beyond the cockpit to the businesses helping aviation move forward at KISM by caring for aircraft, providing hangars, rentals and specialized support, these teams contribute to the airport’s aviation-service network. On National Aviation Day, we recognized the aviation schools and training providers preparing the next generation at KISM and beyond. Last but certainly not least, National Aviation Week is all about the people who help keep our airport running every day. From operations and maintenance to pilots, tenants, and airport partners, it takes a dedicated team working together to keep KISM moving. Thank you for bringing care, teamwork, and professionalism to our airport each day!

Intern Spotlight: Priscilla Aleksic Jumpstarts

Her Aviation Career at ISM

Aviation enthusiast and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student, Priscilla Aleksic, has joined the team as an 8-week Airport Operations Intern. While studying Aviation Business Administration at Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide campus, Priscilla is gaining hands-on experience in airside safety, airport regulations, interdepartmental coordination, and the daily operational management of an airport. She is also an active member of Women in Aviation International (WAI), where she continues to connect with and learn from others across the aviation industry. Outside of airport operations, Priscilla works in the scheduling and reception department of AvDoc51, assisting pilots and air traffic controllers in preparation for their FAA medical exams. Priscilla is also a pilot herself, studying to obtain her private pilot’s license at Aerostar Training Services. Much of her time is devoted to her involvement at ISM and she is excited to pursue a career as an aviator.

Admin Building at 401 Dyer Blvd. Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

On August 3, our administrative building located at 401 Dyer Boulevard celebrated its 10-year construction anniversary. The new facility was constructed entirely with funds earned from airport operations and a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation District 5 Airports & Seaports Office - no tax dollars were used. The new building consolidates airport operations, administration, and finance sections under one roof which enhances productivity, saves energy, and will serve as a local Emergency Operations Center for small to medium scale situations.

The new building incorporates many energy saving features including three skylights which provide sufficient natural light to minimize the need for artificial lighting during the day, polished concrete floors eliminated the need for carpet or tile and state of the art efficient HVAC systems, controls, windows, and vestibule entrances.The City rededicated the new building to former City of Kissimmee Vice Mayor James G. (Jimmy) Dyer, whom the original terminal building and Dyer Boulevard were named for in 1977. Dyer was an advocate for the expansion and enhancement of all things aviation related at the Kissimmee Gateway Airport.

The building has survived hurricanes, major flooding, and a pandemic and yet she stands tall and shines bright. Here's to another 10 years with plenty of growth to come!

Kissimmee Gateway Airport Acquires Drone Detection Technology for Unauthorized Activity

The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) has deployed drone detection equipment at Kissimmee Gateway Airport, allowing us to identify and monitor drone activity in the surrounding area. More importantly, this technology helps detect drones operating in controlled or restricted airspace where prior authorization from Air Traffic Control (ATC) may be required. FAMS personnel are responding to unauthorized and potentially illegal drone operations and may pursue appropriate enforcement action, including significant civil penalties and fines. These enforcement efforts emphasize the serious consequences of failing to comply with FAA regulations, airspace restrictions, and established drone safety guidelines.

Safe drone operations begin before the aircraft ever leaves the ground. A responsible pilot should determine where the drone can legally operate, what restrictions apply, whether authorization is required, and whether weather or other conditions could make the flight unsafe. The FAA emphasizes that drone operators are responsible for understanding the airspace in which they are flying. There is no area of the National Airspace System where drone pilots can simply assume that no rules apply. A preflight check can prevent a pilot from unintentionally entering prohibited or restricted airspace. Before every flight, pilots should check for:

Controlled or restricted airspace
Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs)
Airports and heliports
Emergency response operations
Sporting events and other restricted areas
Local restrictions that may affect takeoff or landing
Weather and visibility conditions
Other aircraft operating in the area

For more drone safety information, visit flykissimmee.com/drones.

Update: Parcel 8 Redevelopment Project

As of the end of August, 68 calendar days have been charged to the Parcel 8 project, with 186 calendar days remaining. Excavation and soil sifting activities continue as crews work to identify and remove any debris or potential contaminants that may have remained from the site’s former use as a U.S. Army Air Corps military training airfield during World War II. Over the next several weeks, construction efforts will focus on installing the storm drainage system to improve site drainage and help alleviate potential flooding.

Understanding Airport Operations and the Importance of Maintenance Technicians in the Field

Airport Operations and Maintenance Technicians play a critical role in maintaining the safety, security, efficiency, and regulatory compliance of an airport. One of the primary responsibilities of Airport Operations is conducting regular inspections of the airfield. These inspections help identify hazards that could affect aircraft, passengers, employees, or airport infrastructure.

During an inspection, Operations Specialists may examine runways, taxiways, aprons, ramps, safety areas, lighting systems, signage, markings, fencing, gates, and other airport facilities. They look for conditions such as:

Foreign object debris (FOD)
Damaged pavement
Wildlife hazards
Unauthorized vehicles or personnel
Damaged or malfunctioning signs and lighting
Construction hazards
Obstacles penetrating protected areas
Fuel spills or hazardous materials
Unauthorized aircraft or vehicle activity
Weather-related hazards

Identifying these hazards early allows airport personnel to take corrective action before they develop into a serious safety issue.

ISM Searching for 2027 Food Truck Fly-In Vendors

The Kissimmee Airport Food Truck Fly-In is a family-friendly community event pairing great local food with an up-close look at an active general-aviation airfield. Held at Kissimmee Gateway Airport, the event will offer the public a chance to eat delicious food, explore airplanes, meet people and gain direct insights from members of the aviation community. Past events have featured historic and modern aircraft, flight-training planes, helicopters (including rides), aviation businesses, and career exhibits, drawing families, aviation enthusiasts, and food-loving visitors alike. In 2027, the event will also honor Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day.

Interested in participating at the Fly-In? We're gauging vendor interest well ahead of the March 2027 date and want to hear from businesses offering all things savory, sweet, and everything in between. Let us know if you're interested below and we'll follow up with confirmed details as they're finalized.

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Bring Your Business to Kissimmee Gateway

Central Florida's Airport of Choice

With more than 180 acres available for development, a new aerospace park and innovative incentive packages, Kissimmee Gateway Airport is Central Florida’s airport of choice and an ideal location for business. For more information, contact the city of Kissimmee Economic Development Office at (407) 518-2307.