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.

Ruth Varn (left) being interviewed for a documentary on airport action groups. Image Credit: Tampa Bay Times.

Ruth Varn – An Advocate

Ruth would be the first to tell you, “I’m not a pilot.” Yet her impact on aviation, especially at Albert Whitted Airport, is impossible to overstate. She represents an essential part of aviation: advocacy.

When the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce published a city map that left the airport as an undefined piece of land, Ruth spoke up and made sure it was included. It was a small moment that reflected something larger: she refused to let Albert Whitted Airport be erased. In 2003, when the airport’s future was uncertain, she stood on street corners speaking directly to the public.

Described by her peers as a “graceful Southern lady,” she was also someone who could “cut you off at the ankles and you wouldn’t know it.” Ruth was a trusted and influential voice, often sought out by the Tampa Bay Times for her perspective on aviation issues.

Her credibility extended beyond the city. She fed volunteers at Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo. She built relationships with aviation leaders at the highest levels, including FAA administrators who knew her by name. She used that voice, and those relationships, to help ensure that Albert Whitted Airport remained part of St. Petersburg’s story.

Misa with her daughter at Albert Whitted Airport.

Misa Franklin – A Passionate Teacher

This is Misa Franklin, known by many as one of the best flight instructors at St. Pete Air.

Misa caught the flying bug at 17 while living in Kentucky, when a friend’s father, who owned a Cessna 150, invited her to fly. In 1997, she arrived in St. Petersburg with her Private Pilot License in hand. She needed her instrument rating and trained under Ron Methot, owner of Bay Air Flying Service. Ron saw a spark in her and encouraged her to become a flight instructor. “Teaching is my passion,” she says now, a truth reflected in the thousands of students she has guided over the years.

Beyond instructing, her experience includes traffic reporting, wildlife protection flights, and manatee surveys. In 2003, she worked as a charter pilot, even flying while eight months pregnant.

Through Albert Whitted Airport, Misa earned nearly every rating she holds, including CFI, CFII, MEI, and ATP. In her own words, without Albert Whitted, there would be no Misa in aviation.

Mikayla after earning another certificate.

Mikayla Tehan – A Trailblazer

Mikayla is a recent pilot already making impressive strides in aviation. After college, she charted her path to Albert Whitted Airport. She flew her discovery flight in 2021 and officially began training in 2022, taking her first steps into an industry that was once only a curiosity.

Without clear guidance on how to fund her training, Mikayla worked two jobs, including a position at the front desk of the flight school. Through her hard work, she earned one of the scholarships offered by Friends of Albert Whitted Airport. The network was not only helpful financially but also kept her connected to opportunities and mentors in aviation.

With over 1,000 flight hours, Mikayla has joined the PSA Airlines cadet program, putting her on a clear path to the major airlines.

She is already giving back, serving on the scholarship committee for Friends of Albert Whitted. For her, it is a full-circle moment: from someone unsure how to even begin to someone now helping others take that first step.

Nisuka standing in front of a Stearman PT-17.

Nisuka Williams – An Inspirational Storyteller

As a new blog writer for Friends of Albert Whitted Airport, I’ve had the opportunity to highlight the women who make up the airport community. This is my small piece within that larger network.

Nisuka recalls her earliest memory of the airport in 2013, flying in with her dad to visit her brother, who worked as a lineman. As a teenager, she remembers it as the prettiest airport she had ever seen, with sailboats, rainbows, and an approach over the water. “I never imagined I’d see that approach over and over again.” Now she does, as she continues training for her commercial license.

Her experience in aviation has come from many angles, much of which has been developed at Albert Whitted. She has spent time managing aircraft, observing charter operations, flying herself, and learning from others’ stories. Each role has shaped her mindset: stay curious, be resourceful, and learn from anyone willing to teach.

March 2026

By Nisuka Williams