Airport Will Create A New 'Sport Aviation Village'

Is DeLand airport in central Florida making a play to bring the Sport Aviation Expo from Sebring a bit north? Make what you will of this. Jana Filip, the former director of the Sebring Sport Aviation Expo, has joined the staff of the Deland (FL) Municipal Airport as its new Sport Aviation Administrator. Airport Manager John Eiff welcomed Jana in mid-February, saying, "We are excited to announce some great new plans for our Airport, and we're delighted to have Jana on board to lead those ventures."

Already home to the nation's largest parachute manufacturers and an active commerce center for that industry, DeLand Municipal Airport says it has the goal of becoming a sport aviation mecca, combining a sport aviation manufacturing/distribution center (sport aviation village) with T-hangars, a centralized support hangar, training facilities, and an administration building/welcome center in phases over the next few years. In addition, the Airport plans to hold an annual sport aviation event, with the preview activity slated to take place in November 2016.

"We are glad to have Jana on our team. She will lead the effort in marketing our sport aviation village and promoting DeLand Municipal Airport as a home for people who love recreational flying," Eiff said. "She brings years of experience working in the light-sport aircraft community along with deep knowledge of the industry's needs."

A member of the original U.S. Sport Aviation Expo development committee and the Expo's director for the past 5 years, Filip is excited about her new position. "I'm delighted to be working with John and the rest of the Airport staff and the City of DeLand," Filip said. "They have an ambitious agenda to put DeLand on the map as a home for sport aviation enthusiasts, and I look forward to helping make those goals become reality."

Phase One of establishing the Sport Aviation Village will be the construction of 6 commercial-use hangars with offices, 21 T-hangars, and a group of "box" or storage hangars on the east side of DeLand Municipal Airport, with groundbreaking set to take place early this summer. Those hangars can be built to manufacturer's or businesses' needs. "We are eager to talk with anyone wishing to establish or relocate a sport aviation business," Eiff said. "We're still in the stage of finding out what manufacturers want so that we can build to their needs." He anticipates the first 6 hangars will average about 5,000 square feet each, but added that adjustments easily can be made to accommodate larger, smaller, or specific needs.

The DeLand Municipal Airport is located 40 miles north of Orlando and 15 miles west of Daytona Beach. DeLand's economy is based on diverse industries, including tourism, agriculture, finance, and manufacturing. With a population of 30,000, it's a thriving small city with a rich history and culture.  Filip said, "For aviation manufacturers and companies wishing to locate a new business or re-establish an older one, DeLand is a great place for employees to call home. There are many desirable resources in this area, offering people wonderful opportunities both professionally and personally. I'm heartened by how committed the City of DeLand is to supporting the sport aviation community. The local citizens are most welcoming, and my husband Gary and I look forward to raising our son here."

Filip will be available during the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo on April 5-10, 2016, to meet with persons interested in learning more about DeLand's Sport Aviation Village.

(Image provided with Deland Municipal Airport news release. Jana Filip (foreground) seated in the Super Petrel LS Light-Sport Aircraft with pilot and aircraft representative, Brian Boucher.)

FMI: www.delandairport.com