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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

Blair Crutchfield

CFI

Blair was born in Fullerton CA and raised in Port Saint Lucie Florida where he later graduated and attended Florida State University to pursue a Bachelors of Science in Computational Science. During his undergrad Blair performed in the FSU Big 8 Drumline and trained in Air Force ROTC. Upon graduation Blair decided to pursue a career in commercial aviation and later returned home, where he worked in recruiting at Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology while receiving his flying licenses. Blair is committed to leaving a legacy in aviation and creating the next generations of pilots and traditions that carry on through the Aviation Community.

Kent Emden

CFI

Kent attended Pepperdine University for three years before entering into the world of aviation. Following that, he enrolled in ATP flight school for an intensive 11-month program, obtaining all necessary certificates. Since his first discovery flight, his passion for flying has only grown. The freedom, adventures, and constant skill refinement have become central to his journey. Kent is committed to the aviation industry and eagerly anticipates the opportunities it holds.

Clive Charpentier

CFI

Clive was born in south Florida but has lived in the Tampa Bay area since he was 5 years old. He has worked in the boating industry as a technician for many years but always had a passion for aviation. In 2012 he started his journey and acquired all of his pilot and instructor ratings and loves teaching and helping others obtain their goals.

Andrew Wert

CFI

Andrew was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. He attended the University of Central Florida graduating with a Business Management degree and entered the real estate industry. He moved to Colorado and got his RE Brokers license while living in Vail and enjoying the beautiful mountains for skiing and hiking. He then decided to make his passion for flying a career and started flight training with the intention of flying for the airlines. He currently serves as a flight instructor at Tampa Bay Aviation and enjoys sharing the passion of flying with others.

Drew Chisholm

CFI

Drew grew up in the suburbs of Orlando and moved over to Tampa to attend USF. Throughout college he officiated junior ice hockey in the NAHL and USHL. After graduating, he decided business wasn’t for him and began flight training. He is eager to instruct pilots and help them reach their goals.

Mekenzie LoPreste

CFI

Mekenzie grew up in St.Petersburg Fl. While working on her bachelor’s she went on a discovery flight that sparked her love for flying. She decided to make the switch to a career in aviation knowing that she would be able to continue her love for teaching while building hours instructing. Her goal is to work for one of the major airlines and explore as much of the world as possible.

Cameron McKamey

CFI

Cameron was born in Davenport Iowa and has always loved all things aviation. He and his family would attend the local airshows whenever they stopped by their town. He never planned on making a career out of aviation until his junior year at Palm Harbor University High School where he took a career aptitude test and his top career recommendation was “Pilot.” After receiving the results, Cameron took a discovery flight out of Tampa Bay Aviation and fell in love with aviation all over again. He would soon enroll with TBA and complete his Private, Instrument, and Commercial licenses. He has a passion for teaching and is eager to help others achieve their goals.

Hunter Fornarotto

CFI

Hunter was born in Mississippi and raised in Florida. He comes from an aviation family and graduated from Tampa Bay Aviation. He plans to fly EMS eventually.

Zach Widener

CFI
Zach grew up in South Carolina where he attended The Citadel, graduating in 2022. He then worked in construction before shifting to aviation. Zach completed his flight training in the Tampa Bay area out of St. Pete 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.

Tony Hudson

CFI
Born and raised in Oklahoma, Tony retired to Florida after serving 25 years as an Army Aviation Officer. He’s currently flying 407s and MD500s as a mission pilot with Manatee County Mosquito Control and spends his off hours mentoring the next generation of Rotary Wing Aviators.

Cindy Connelly

CFI

Cindy grew up in the Tampa Bay Area. She is a former college track and field athlete with an accounting degree. Upon graduation, she worked in corporate auditing then later moved back to Tampa Bay and switched to education. She has worked at a middle school for 8 years and coaches high school track, but her favorite role is being a mom. She has always loved big airports and traveling domestic and international so she decided it was time for a career change. Tampa Bay Aviation allowed her to pick her training schedule around work. Her eventual goal is to work for the airlines. She is excited to combine her love of teaching and love of flying together as a CFI.

Charles Palmgren

CFI

Charles grew up in Seminole Florida. He attended the University of South Florida, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. While completing his degree, Charles received flight training at Tampa Bay Aviation, where he achieved all of his ratings. He is an avid outdoorsmen and adventure seeker. Charles has always enjoyed sharing a birds eye view with his friends and family, and is excited to share his passion for flying with other aviation enthusiasts.

Griffin Gabler

CFI

Griffin Gabler was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where his passion for aviation took flight. After attending the University of Arizona, Griffin pursued his aviation training, gaining experience in a variety of programs and airports. With a deep love for teaching and helping others achieve their aviation goals, Griffin thrives in guiding aspiring pilots through their training. Whether he’s flying to new destinations or sharing his knowledge, he finds joy in every aspect of the aviation world.

Caleb Edwards

CFI

Caleb grew up in northern Kentucky, just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Louisville. During his senior year of college he took a discovery flight and was hooked after that. After graduating, he completed all of his ratings up to CFI in Cincinnati. He relocated to the Tampa area to help with his dream of a career in aviation and education.

Steven Roberts

CFI

Steven grew up in Key West, Florida but began his aviation career in Pompano Beach. He has a deep love for the outdoors, he enjoys spending his time doing water sports, fishing, golfing, and anything that keeps him active. With his experience in aviation, Steven is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge and helping to shape the next generation of pilots.

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