Aviation Matters Archives - Friends of Albert Whitted Airport

The Future Takes Off at Albert Whitted Airport

The City of St. Petersburg has wrapped months of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Task Force meetings, outlining how electric aircraft could soon be taking off and landing close to home.

eVTOLs, or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, are not helicopters. They’re battery-powered, quieter, and designed for short, efficient trips. Built with simpler systems, they have the potential to lower training barriers and expand access to aviation. More importantly, they are designed for connectivity – short hops across the region, like St. Pete to Tampa or from downtown to the beaches.

Women of Albert Whitted Airport

March is a month dedicated to celebrating women, including Women of Aviation Worldwide Week (WOAW). This is a great opportunity to recognize some of the women at Albert Whitted Airport who contribute to aviation in more ways than one.

Fly With Friends: Scholarship Day 2026

Students, their families, and supporters gathered on a chilly Saturday morning as Friends of Albert Whitted Airport hosted its annual Scholarship Day.

Walt Driggers welcomed a hangar full of people. He was joined by two young pilots, Caleb Kravitz and Mikayla Tehan, both of whom began their flying journeys years ago and now instruct at St. Pete Air. Their presence reflected a full-circle moment for the program, showing what continued involvement in the airport community can look like over time.

EAA Young Eagles Hangar Crawl Takes Over Albert Whitted

If you heard a little extra buzz coming from Albert Whitted Airport recently, it is for a good reason. EAA Chapter 1602 hosted its annual Young Eagles Hangar Crawl, drawing members, airport neighbors, and curious first-timers behind the fence for an evening that showed aviation as it operates day-to-day at KSPG.

Adventures of the Oldest Aircraft on the Field

If you were standing in St. Petersburg in the early 1940s, the sky would rarely have been quiet. Formation flying was a daily sight as military aircraft crisscrossed the region, training for a world at war. Nearby airfields—St. Pete-Clearwater, Lakeland, Bartow, and MacDill—buzzed with activity, serving as critical fighter and bomber training grounds.

Inside the Premiere of Our City, Our Airport

Albert Whitted Airport once again makes its mark on the City of St. Petersburg. Our City, Our Airport premiered Tuesday night at The Palladium at SPC, drawing over 1,000 people across two screenings. Among those in attendance were seven of the eight City Council members, Mayor Ken Welch, and state officials including Representative Lindsay Cross and former Florida Senate President Bill Galvano.

One Year Later: Aviation and Recovery

Albert Whitted Airport has long been a hub for aviation and relief efforts across Florida and the Caribbean. Last year, the airport that sends aid to others faced its own journey of recovery. One year after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the community is back on its feet.

Back to School: From the Classroom to the Cockpit

As students across the Tampa Bay area head back to school, new notebooks and sharpened pencils signal the start of another year filled with possibility. But here at Albert Whitted Airport, we believe that some of the most exciting learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom—it happens in the sky.

AWA: A Launchpad for Dreams — Past, Present, and Future

Each year on August 19, National Aviation Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate how far aviation has come—and to imagine how far it can take us. Established in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to honor the birthday of Orville Wright, one of the pioneers of powered flight, the day is more than a nod to history. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when curiosity meets courage.

At Albert Whitted Airport, aviation has always been about more than takeoffs and landings. It’s about launching dreams.

Join the Movement: New FOAWA Membership is Here!

There’s never been a better time to support the future of aviation, right here in St. Pete. We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new and improved FOAWA Memberships—a great way for you to take flight with the Friends of Albert Whitted Airport!

12 3 4 5 6 7