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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

WILL GRAHAM

Airplane Flight Instructor

Will was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. After graduating with an associate degree from Tyler Junior College, he went on a discovery flight and realized his goal was to become an airline pilot. After training in the DFW area and Oklahoma, he decided he would love to live closer to the beach and found a home at Tampa Bay Aviation. When he’s not flying, Will enjoys fishing and playing basketball and golf. He’s ready to begin helping others work toward their dream of becoming a pilot.

Will has the following ratings:

  • Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land
  • Instructor: CFI, CFII

SHELBY TAYLOR

Airplane Flight Instructor

Shelby was born and raised in the Twin Cities of Minnesota and as a young girl from a family with an aviation background, discovered an interest in getting her pilot’s license. It wasn’t until later in life after graduating from Winona State University with degrees in Spanish and Recreation & Tourism, that she took a discovery flight and left her full-time desk job behind. After diving into aviation and completing her training at Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN, Shelby is excited to take her passion to the sunny skies of Florida and help students achieve their flying goals.

Shelby has the following ratings:

  • Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land, Airplane Multi-Engine Land
  • Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII

TONY JOHNSTONE

Aerobatic Airplane Flight Instructor

Tony Johnstone, MD, has been flying since high school in 1967.  He has been instructing aerobatics and tailwheel since 2003 and has given over 2000 hours of dual in his Super Decathlon.  Tony also holds a CFII, MEI, ATP with 2 type ratings in jets, Commercial Seaplane and Glider ratings, and has been in the past designated Master CFI-Aerobatic.  He is a FAASTEAM rep with the Tampa FSDO and a retired general surgeon who practiced in Canada and then Kansas for a total of 30 years.  Tony worked as a demo/transportation pilot for Cessna in Wichita following his retirement from surgery.

Tony has the following ratings:

  • ATP: Airplane Multi-Engine Land
  • Type Rating:  C525, C560XLS
  • Commercial: Airplane Single Engine Land, Multi-Engine Land, Single Engine Seaplane, Glider
  • Certified Flight Instructor: Airplane CFI, CFII, MEI
  • Ground Instructor: Advanced

JACK MURPHY

Airplane Flight Instructor

Jack Murphy was born and raised in Tampa, Fl. He started pilot training at Peter O. Knight airport in high school and furthered his education by receiving a Hospitality Management Degree from UCF. He has worked 6 years Full-Time in the F&B industry while pursuing a career in aviation. With a passion for service and aviation, he wants to inspire the next generation of GA pilots.

Jack has the following ratings:

  • Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)