2009 FLORIDA GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORT OF THE YEAR
Background
Albert Whitted Airport is owned and operated by the City of St. Petersburg, providing convenient access by air to the city's downtown waterfront, business district and urban communities. The Airport is located just blocks away from hotels, restaurants, museums, shopping and more. The 110-acre facility handles approximately 85,000 general aviation aircraft operations annually and is the home base to an estimated 185 aircraft. The airport has a total ecomonic impact of over $36 million based on the latest study completed by the Florida DOT (click here to see the 2010 Econmonic Impact Study). The airport provides various aviation services including aircraft fueling, aircraft storage and parking, flight training, aircraft charter and rentals, aircraft and helicopter maintenance, aircraft detailing, avionics, pilot supplies, banner towing, and sightseeing tours. For a full listing of businesses based on the airport, please click on the airport business page.
Besides commercial and private general aviation, many important organizations also utilize the Albert Whitted Airport for aviation support functions of their life-saving missions. These include the Civil Air Patrol, Bayflight Medavac and various organ transplant flying services such as Care Flight.
In October 2007 the City completed construction of an Intermodal General Aviation Center, complete with a 10,600sq/ft terminal building, a 12,200 sq/yd aircraft parking ramp and a 64-space parking lot. In November 2009, the terminal building was renamed the Galbraith Terminal after local philanthropists, John and Rosemary Galbraith, to honor their years of support and generosity to the local St. Petersburg community and in particular the airport terminal project. The Galbraith Terminal houses the airport's Fixed Base Operator (FBO), a rental car operator and other various aviation and retail tenants. The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge opened in April 2010 on the 2nd floor of the terminal. The restaurant serves a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu and is open to the publc.
Albert Whitted Airport is a controlled airfield and its tower is opened from 7am - 9pm daily. The tower's staffing is provided through the FAA's Federal Contract Tower Program. In the summer of 2011 the City completed construction of a new tower. The facility was approved for operation by the FAA and placed into service on September 28, 2011. The new tower replaces the existing FAA-owned facility which had well out-lived its life cycle.
The City completed construction of a new parallel taxiway (Taxiway "D") on the north side of Runway 7-25 and an expansion of the terminal ramp in late 2011. The City is also completing the design process for an expanded aircraft parking ramp and reconstruction of Taxiway "A-1" on the south side of the airport. Contingent upon the availablility of funding, the City could start construction as early as 2012.
The Albert Whitted Airport was selected as the 2009 Florida General Aviation Airport of the Year by the Florida DOT.
Pilot Information
Airport Activities
Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society - Airport tours, education center, National Airlines museum, monthly pancake breakfasts and other special events. Please contact 727-822-1532 for information and/or to schedule a tour or go to www.AWAPS.org.
St. Petersburg Airfest - The annual event features a variety of aerial performances, static displays, food, live music and other surprises for the whole family. For more information on upcoming air shows please go to www.stpetersburgairfest.com. Currently, no event is planned for 2011.
Young Eagles Program - The Young Eagles program is a nation-wide program developed by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) as a means to introduce young people to the experience of flight. The Young Eagles program at Albert Whitted is jointly sponsored by the local EAA, Chapter 47 and the Albert Whitted Airport Preservation Society (AWAPS). At various times during the year EAA-Chap 47 & AWAPS host a day of free flights for children between the ages of 8 - 17, To get more information and to find out a schedule of upcoming events, please call 727-822-1532 or log on to www.eaa47.org or www.AWAPS.org. General information can also by found at www.youngeagles.org.