Every pilot’s journey—whether it leads to a career in the skies or simply the joy of weekend flights—begins with one of the most important habits in aviation: the pre-flight check.

Summer is the perfect time for kids to let their curiosity take flight—and there’s no better place to explore aviation than right here in St. Petersburg and the greater Tampa Bay area. Whether your family is staying close to home or traveling farther afield, these seven experiences will help spark a love of flight in kids of all ages.

When people think of careers in aviation, the image that often comes to mind is that of a pilot commanding a plane from the cockpit. While piloting is undoubtedly an exciting and admirable profession—and one FOAWA is proud to support through our flight scholarships—it’s just one piece of a much larger story.

As we celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, there’s no better time to recognize the vital role aviation plays in connecting people to places, dreams to destinations, and communities to opportunity. At the heart of this connection in St. Petersburg is Albert Whitted Airport—a gem on the waterfront.

When Emily Anderson moved from a small New England town to St. Petersburg, Florida, she never imagined that the skies above her new home would change the course of her life. Arriving at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, she was eager to find a passion and a sense of belonging. She didn’t expect that moment to arrive in the middle of freshman orientation, when, almost as if by fate, she caught sight of a small airplane soaring above the conference room window. Something inside her clicked.

A Story of Resilience

For one St. Petersburg native, Albert Whitted Airport has always felt like an integral part of the city. As a child, Noble O’Connor spent countless hours climbing on the playground while his older brother attended Civil Air Patrol meetings. Even then, the sight of planes taking off and landing sparked a fascination that would eventually grow into a full-fledged passion for aviation.  

For Braelynn Bolger, aviation is more than just flying—it’s a way to make a difference in people’s lives. Growing up in Riverview, Florida, she was surrounded by aviation from an early age. Her father, a former lineman at Bay Air at Albert Whitted Airport, shared stories of flying that fueled her fascination with the skies. She spent her childhood attending airshows at MacDill Air Force Base and Sun ’n Fun, where she met inspiring pilots who showed her what was possible. But it wasn’t until she sat in the backseat of a plane in 2022, watching her father regain his currency, that she knew she had to pursue flight training herself.  

Meet Scholarship Recipient Kiersten Gulick

Aviation has a way of calling to those who are meant to fly. For Kiersten Gulick, that call came early—but it took a few twists of fate, a strong community, and the support of a Friends of Albert Whitted Airport scholarship to turn her childhood fascination into a full-fledged career path.  

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Kiersten embodies the spirit of resilience, passion, and adventure. A multi-sport athlete, artist, and dedicated student, she thrives in high-energy environments, whether she’s wake surfing, skiing, or navigating the skies. But her journey to the cockpit wasn’t a straight line—it was a series of moments that, when pieced together, reveal a story of grit, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to her dream.