Is Flight Training Right For You?

Take The Free Quiz

727-461-5229

Get Started

About Us

Find Out More About Florida's Premier Flight School
Our Story
Meet the Crew

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.

Meet The Crew

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

Kyle Castellano

CFI

Kyle was born and raised right here in Tampa, Florida. He took his first discovery flight with Tampa Bay Aviation at just 14 years old, sparking a passion for aviation that would shape his future. He began flight training during his senior year of high school and completed all his certifications with TBA. Now, he’s come full circle working as a Flight Instructor at the very place where it all began. Kyle is currently pursuing his B.S. in Aviation through Liberty University and is passionate about mentoring students, sharing his knowledge, and helping others grow into confident, skilled pilots. Outside of aviation, he enjoys spending time outdoors, connecting with others, and cheering on his hometown Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cade Beal

CFI

Cade grew up in Georgia and later moved to the Tampa Bay area before earning a Business Administration degree from the University of Florida. With a father who’s a captain for American Airlines and a mother who flew for Southwest, aviation has always been a part of his life. Now as a CFI, he’s passionate about helping students become safe, confident pilots.

Alex Mcbride

Helicopter CFI

Alex was born and raised in Indiana, but spent most of his adult life in Phoenix, Arizona. It was there that he started his aviation career. As a CFI/CFII he enjoys teaching others the joys of flying. Outside of aviation Alex enjoys baseball, scouring Facebook marketplace, the outdoors, and desserts.

Sofia Saldarriaga

CFI

Born and raised in Florida, Sofia has always been fascinated by airplanes, but never truly considered it as a serious career. She began training for her private pilot’s certificate at Tampa Bay Aviation in 2020 “just for fun” all while studying for her B.S. degree in Aerospace Physiology at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Despite pursing a career in the medical sciences, she found herself surrounded more by flight students instead of the pre-med students on campus. Her friendships led her to discovering her true passion, leading her to change career paths and earn the rest of her ratings after graduating college. Currently as a CFI with Tampa Bay Aviation, Sofia is eager to combine her love for teaching and flying to not only train but also encourage aspiring pilots with building knowledge, confidence, and experience in the skies. For fun, Sofia enjoys flying puppy rescue missions in Alabama and is an active Senior Member in Civil Air Patrol.

Sebastian Hinestrosa

CFI

Sebastian is from Bogota, Colombia but moved to the Hollywood, Florida at age six. After high school, he spent six years in the navy as a Machinist Mate working in Reactor Department on board the USS Carl Vinson stationed at Coronado, California. Deployed three times, he has been to South Korea, Japan, Guam, Hawaii, Vietnam, Philippines. After the Navy he enrolled at Silverhawk Aviation Academy where he received his Associates in applied science as well his helicopter ratings. He enjoys spending time with his dogs (2 great danes and a pitbull) and his wife. He also enjoys snowboarding, surfing, paddleboarding, spearfishing.

ZACK TAYLOR

Founder, Chief Helicopter Pilot, Helicopter Charter Pilot

Zack currently oversees Tampa Bay Aviation’s part 61 and part 141 helicopter flight school as chief helicopter instructor. His previous experience includes flying Eurocopters for AirLife in Florida and Georgia as well as Bell Helicopters in the Gulf of Mexico to oil platforms. Zack’s extensive experience and knowledge with helicopters drives Tampa Bay Aviation’s helicopter flight school to exceed expectations and continue to grow into a prestigious establishment.

Zack has the following ratings:
• Airline Transport Pilot: Helicopter
• Certified Flight Instructor: Helicopter CFI, CFII
• Commercial: Single Engine Land

JASON PAUL

Chief Fixed-Wing Pilot

Bio coming soon

ISAIAH KARSEN

Assistant Chief Fixed-Wing Pilot

Isaiah was born and raised in Michigan. He attended North Western Michigan college where he earned his pilot ratings up to commercial license. During his commercial check ride process he had come down to Florida to fly (better weather) and finished his commercial, CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings. Isaiah was hired directly from our CFI class when a spot opened up. His goal is to earn his hours and work for a regional airline or a cargo company.

Isaiah has the following ratings:

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

CARLO BIAGINI

Chief Helicopter Pilot

Carlo is from Santa Rosa, California and began instructing in airplanes in 1991. After 12 years of fixed wing instruction, he decided it was time for a change and began a new challenge instructing in helicopters. He considers himself fortunate to have joined the exceptional team at Tampa Bay Aviation in 2018. Carlo would eventually like to pursue a career in fire fighting, EMS, or Search and Rescue

Carlo Biagini has the following ratings:

  • Airline Transport Pilot: Helicopter, Airplane Multi Engine Land
  • Commercial: Helicopter, Airplane Single Engine Land
  • Flight Instructor: Helicopter CFI, CFII; Airplane CFI, CFII, MEI
  • Ground Instructor: Advanced, Instrument

ANGELO TSILIANOS

Angelo was born and raised in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Worked on the water as a Master Merchant Mariner (aka boat captain) since 2011, then began pursuing his childhood dream after taking an intro flight with TBA in 2020 and is currently working on becoming a flight instructor as he loves to teach and inspire others. He would like to eventually work for EMS and law enforcement.

Angelo holds the following ratings:

  • Commercial: Helicopter

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

About Us

Experiences

Training Programs

Request More Info

727-461-5229
office@tampabayaviation.com

Office Hours:
Sun-Sat 8:30am-5:30pm

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
© 2025 Tampa Bay Aviation | All Rights Reserved | Website by Paper Jacket
--> ​