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Is Flight Training Right For You?

727-461-5229

About Us

Find Out More About Florida's Premier Flight School
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World Class Instructors & Staff

Unlike other flight schools, Tampa Bay Aviation offers twice the amount of aircraft and instructors which allows for better flexibility in your schedule to train and build up the flight hours that you need to attain your license. You’ll find that our highly professional culture is very friendly, approachable, and sociable, giving you the ability to feel at ease as you complete your training.

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Our Story

Tampa Bay Aviation began in 2012 with one helicopter and the dream to expand general aviation and the passion for flight to the Tampa Bay area. Since that time, we have grown to four locations providing charter, flight instruction, tours, and aircraft maintenance. It is our desire to maintain the “local” company presence, with the “global” reach that today’s aviation customers demand.

Our flight school fleet includes some of the most cutting-edge aircraft with advanced cockpits on par with commercial airliners. Our pilots and instructors are some of the most respected in the area, with the knowledge and experience for every level.

Tampa Bay Aviation has an aircraft for almost every mission and budget. From a helicopter that can drop you on the golf course to the largest King Air turboprop to reach halfway across the United States. Our CitationJet can whisk you away to hundreds of locations in the southeast and is one fuel stop away from the western US.

Whether you want to accomplish your lifetime dream to become a pilot, tour our beaches from the air, or charter a private aircraft to your own paradise, Tampa Bay Aviation can serve your needs.

Our Four Locations

Tampa Bay Aviation offers Private to ATP training in Fixed Wing and Rotorcraft Aircraft

Clearwater Airport

1000 North Hercules Ave.
Clearwater, FL 33765
Phone: 727-461-5229

ALBERT WHITTED AIRPORT

540 1st Street Southeast
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 461-5229

ST. PETE-CLEARWATER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

14609 Airport Parkway #210
Clearwater, Fl 33762

TAMPA EXECUTIVE AIRPORT

6530 Tampa Executive Airport Rd #242
Tampa, FL 33610

Meet the Crew

LAURA TAYLOR

Founder, Airplane Pilot, C-SIP

Laura Taylor has been a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI) in airplanes since 2006. She comes from a family of pilots and grew up around aviation, which fueled her passion. Laura and her husband, Zack, opened up the flight school in March of 2012 and have truly enjoyed growing the company to where it stands today and introducing hundreds of new people to aviation. Laura has completed the Cirrus Factory training to become a Cirrus Instructor (CSIP) and enjoys transitioning people in our SR22 or SR20, or their own aircraft. In addition to flight instructing, Laura also enjoys flying as a contract pilot in a King Air 350, Challenger 604/605, and Citations. When not flying, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons and being on the water.

Laura has the following ratings:
• Commercial: Single/Multi Engine Land & Sea
• Airline Transport Pilot: Fixed Wing
• Certified Flight Instructor: Fixed Wing CFI, CFII, MEI

JACOB NEUGEBEUER

Airplane Flight Instructor

Jacob was born and raised in Tampa, FL and has always had a passion for aviation. After graduating from UCF with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and studying the theory of flight, he decided applying his knowledge as a pilot would be a more rewarding career. Jacob completed all of his training right here at Tampa Bay Aviation and hopes to introduce his students to the benefits of general aviation while exploring the bay area from the above.

Jacob has the following ratings:

  • Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII

JOHN CALLAHAN

Airplane Flight Instructor

John was born and raised in Massachusetts. He began taking occasional flight lessons at the age of fourteen. In 2017, John received his Private Pilot certificate. That same year, he moved to the Tampa Bay area to attend the University of Tampa where he earned his undergraduate degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. John has worked in both the insurance and firearms industries, all the while continuing his flight education and training. John is motivated and passionate to help his students achieve their aviation goals.

John has the following ratings:

  • Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI

DANIEL DOWNING

Airplane Flight Instructor

Daniel has lived most of his life in the Tampa Bay Area and has had the dream of being a pilot since he was a kid. Not knowing exactly what he wanted to do in life, he entered the Air Force as an avionics technician working on the KC-135. While enlisted he graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a B.S. in Aeronautics. After his enlistment was complete, he decided to separate and pursue his dream of being a pilot, completing all of his ratings through Liberty University. Daniel is excited to share his passion for aviation with students and show them that flying can be safe and fun.

Daniel has the following ratings:

  • Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII

TIM SCHLABACH

Airplane Flight Instructor

Tim grew up in North Carolina where he had a great interest in aviation from a young age. Tim later joined the Air Force and became an FAA Certified Air Traffic Controller. After gaining experience as an Air Traffic Controller, Tim completed his flight training in the Tampa Bay area while completing a BS in Aviation with Liberty University.

Tim has the following ratings:

  • Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII

SHEA WHATLEY

Airplane Flight Instructor

Shea grew up in the DFW area. Aviation has always been in his life due to his dad also being a pilot, he always knew it was what he wanted to do. He went to Texas Tech University where he majored in Sport Management in 2019. He then moved down to Sarasota in 2021 and started his flight training. He would love to one day become an airline pilot once he reaches his hours.

Shea has the following ratings:

  • Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII

AARON MANCUSO

Airplane Flight Instructor

Aaron has the following ratings:

  • Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII

BILL MOORE

Helicopter Flight Instructor

Bill was born and raised in Michigan. After five years in the military, he worked EMS as a civilian where his passion for aviation began. He completed his flight training in Idaho, but is excited to instruct in sunny Florida. Bill’s long term goal in aviation is to work as a pilot in EMS or utility operations.

Bill has the following ratings:

  • Certified Flight Instructor: Helicopter CFI, CFII

BRIAN POWERS

Airplane Flight Instructor

Born and raised in the Tampa Bay area, Brian graduated from University of Central Florida with a degree in Health Sciences. He took his first discovery flight a few months after graduating, and instantly knew that aviation was his desired career path. He did his flight training in the Tampa Bay area, and completed his CFI with Tampa Bay Aviation. In his free time, Brian can be found playing basketball, spending days at the beach, and traveling to new places.

Brian has the following ratings:

  • Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI

JACKSON JOHNSON

Helicopter Flight Instructor

Jackson was born in Florida, and lived in Florida until he graduated from college and directly after joined the US Navy and became an EOD Technician. He spent six years in the service where he was introduced to helicopters. He plans fly for the oil rigs and see where his career takes him after that.

Jack has the following ratings:

  • Commercial- Helicopter
  • Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)- Helicopter

Peter Kovach

Airplane Flight Instructor

Peter was born and raised in the Cleveland, Ohio suburbs and comes from a family of aviators. He earned his Bachelor’s degree and flight ratings from Kent State University, where he also worked as a part of their Line crew. After graduating, Peter moved to the Tampa Bay area to complete his Flight Instructor ratings. Outside of aviation, Peter loves skiing and taking care of animals. He used to work on a farm looking after alpacas and camels to name a few of the animals Peter has looked after.

Jeff Ball

Airplane Flight Instructor

Jeff grew up in Virginia where he developed a love for aviation at a young age. After graduating High School he joined the Air Force to become closer to aviation. Jeff completed his flight training in the Tampa Bay Area while completing his BS in Aviation with Liberty University.

Max Menzemer

Airplane Flight Instructor

Max Menzemer grew up in Minnesota. He got involved in aviation from his local airport with some introductory flights. He then decided aviation was the career path he is passionate about and applied to flight train at the University of North Dakota. After finishing up his certificates and ratings he moved down to the clearwater area to flight instruct students. Max likes watersports such as wakeboarding and waterskiing as well as spending time in the hot sun on the beach and golf course.

Zach Widener

Airplane Flight Instructor

Zach grew up in South Carolina where he attended The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina graduating in 2022. Upon graduation he worked in the construction industry before realizing how he could make a career out of flying. Aviation has always sparked his interest and after the first introductory flight he was hooked. Zach completed his flight training in the Tampa Bay Area out of St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport. Teaching others his passion has always been a goal of his and he is committed to being the best instructor he can.

Will Shropshire

Airplane Flight Instructor

Will was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was always been interested in the world of aviation, but he never planned on making it a career until his college roommate took him up for an area flight in 2020. After that flight, Will was hooked on the idea that airplanes needed to be apart of his life forever. Will started flight training in September of 2020 and graduated from Louisiana Tech University with his CFI in May of 2023. After graduating from Tech, he was granted the opportunity to start flight instructing out of the Ruston Regional Airport for the summer, where he gained a large amount of experience and knowledge when it comes to the ins and outs of teaching from the right seat. Will’s overall goal for his career is to continue flying any aircraft he is given the opportunity to fly no matter the size or speed.