Announcement for Immediate Release

RE: Termination of Van Anda Aviation’s Lease at Atlantic Aviation

To Our Pilot Community,

Van Anda Aviation regrets that as of January 1st, 2023, we will no longer be able to serve our pilot community at Orlando Executive Airport. We are working on plans to serve surrounding airports with the airplanes currently at KORL and have already secured another tie down spot at Kissimmee Gateway Airport.

This came as a shock to us, and I know it will to many who appreciate the service we provide there.  We hope to be back soon, most likely from the Sheltair ramp, but at this time they have a waiting list, and it is unknown how long it will take for us to get to the top of it.  In the meantime, we will have airplanes at our home base at FA83, and we will publish changes to that effect on our website, as we find new homes to better serve all of our pilots.

We sincerely appreciate the support of our pilot community. They have allowed us to grow into the organization we are today. We started out doing things a little differently, trying to put pilots first, and we have tried to keep that going even as the demands on the airplanes have grown. This certainly is not an end to that, but it is a pause on it at the Orlando Executive Airport.

In anticipation of any questions that you may have, we have created a short FAQ section for you below.

Why is this happening?

Atlantic Aviation decided unilaterally to not renew our lease agreement and request we leave the premises completely no later than the end of December 31st, 2022.

What reason does Atlantic Aviation give for the change?

Honestly, they chose not to really elaborate at all.  One of the main things they indicated was they believe one of our pilots was speaking ill of them in their lobby, and they didn’t like that. They also mentioned a security concern but would not elaborate and did not ask us to help work on a solution to mitigate any such concern.

Is there anything I can do to help?

First, we hope you will consider continuing to fly with us, even the though the drive might be a bit further.  Consider that the drive to, for example, FA83 may be further, but you will not have to wait to take off, and you won’t have to spend about 0.4 on the hobbs each way taxiing for departure and flying to the practice area around Lake Apopka.

Second, if you choose to express your concerns to Atlantic Aviation directly or on social media, but please always be respectful. Remember they are a private business that has every right to choose who to do business with. Normally, if you have a problem with others, especially customers, you express that problem in case it can be solved. Unfortunately, we were not extended that normal courtesy.  Also, please keep in mind that many of the great people at Atlantic had nothing to do with this decision and may even prefer we were able to stay.

Thanks again for flying with us, and I sincerely apologize for the bad news if you are a pilot that can only fly at KORL. I hope we will be back soon.

– Jon