Kissimmee Gateway Airport’s (ISM) air traffic control service provider Robinson Aviation (RVA) has named John Blakeney Outstanding Controller of the Year for 2011. Blakeney was selected from more than 500 controllers throughout the U.S. and is the only remaining original controller at Kissimmee Gateway Airport’s control tower since opening in 1997.
“From 58,000 control tower operations in 1997 to more than 2 million operations in 2011, Blakeney is my go-to guy when it comes to the ins and outs of daily operation,” says Glenn Huckeba, air traffic manager at Kissimmee Gateway Airport’s control tower.
A 15-year veteran, Blakeney was nominated for the award for his depth of knowledge, quick intellect and dedication to providing quality service at RVA, an air traffic control service provider for 95 airports from South Florida to Tennessee and as far west as New Mexico.
Located 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: KissimmeeAirport.com
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Kissimmee Airport is indeed lucky to have had John working in our tower since Day One. The entire Robinson team at KISM works hard everyday to provide the safest and efficent airfield environment possible. They do an outstanding job, especially considering our complex airsapce and very divers aircraft traffic mix of students, jets and warbirds. My hat’s off to John !
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