Tampa Bay Aviation

Name

Tampa Bay Aviation

Legal name

Tampa Bay Aviation

Website

https://tampabayaviation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Training Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Helicopter Charter & Sightseeing (TLAFABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

On-Demand Helicopter Charter (Private/Corporate) (TLAFACAB)

Keywords

• Flight training services
• Pilot certification programs
• Helicopter flight training
• Airplane flight training
• Aerial sightseeing tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Clearwater

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Flight Training Instruction: Core revenue from providing flight instruction for private, instrument, commercial, and instructor ratings in both airplane and helicopter categories. Revenue is usage-based based on flight hours and instruction time.
2. Aircraft Rental: Aircraft rental to qualified pilots and students with wet rates (fuel included). Fleet includes Cessna 172s, Piper Archers, Tecnam P2006T, Robinson R22 and R44 helicopters.
3. Aerial Tours: Helicopter aerial sightseeing tours including Belleair Experience, Tarpon Springs, Tampa Bay Tours, Historic St Pete, and custom tours. Prices range from $145-$952 depending on duration and aircraft.
4. Charter Services: Charter services provided through sister company Skyway Aviation for private aircraft charters, executive management, and helicopter dinner charters.
5. Aircraft Maintenance Services: Robinson Service Center providing authorized maintenance for R22, R44, and R66 helicopters including annual, 100-hour, track and balance, and emergency services.
6. Aircraft Sales and Acquisitions: Consulting and brokerage services for purchasing aircraft and helicopters, including strategy development and process guidance.
7. Financing Programs: Partners with Stratus Financial, Flight Training Finance, and WeFlorida Financial to provide student financing for flight training programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Tampa Bay Aviation is an FAA Part 61 and Part 141 certified flight school providing airplane and helicopter flight training from introductory discovery flights through Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine, CFI/CFII/MEI, aerobatic, and tailwheel ratings, supported by a large multi-airport fleet and an accelerated Priority Access career-track program. The company also sells helicopter aerial sightseeing tours, aircraft rental, and ancillary services including Robinson helicopter maintenance and aircraft sales consulting, with charter flights routed through sister company Skyway Aviation.

Product overview

Tampa Bay Aviation is a multi-location flight school offering a comprehensive portfolio of flight training and aviation services. The core offering centers on flight training programs for both fixed-wing (airplane) and rotorcraft (helicopter) aircraft, ranging from introductory discovery flights through to professional certifications including Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Certified Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII, MEI), and Multi-Engine ratings. The school operates an accelerated Priority Access Training program for career-oriented students aiming to complete Commercial training in 12 months. Beyond training, the portfolio encompasses aerial helicopter tours, aircraft rental, private charter bookings (via sister company Skyway Aviation), and specialized services including aerobatic/spin training, GI Bill-approved programs for veterans, and international student training under SEVIS. The school also partners with Liberty University and Purdue University Global enabling students to earn bachelor's degrees while completing flight ratings. Training is delivered across four locations using a fleet of Cessna 172 variants, Piper aircraft (Archer, Pilot 100i), Tecnam P2006T multi-engine, and Robinson helicopters (R22, R44), with flexible scheduling through an online portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Can complete commercial pilot certificate in as little as 12 months with Priority Access Training program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Skyway AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company providing private aircraft charter services, executive aircraft management, aircraft maintenance, and personal concierge services. Skyway Aviation holds ARGUS GOLD rating from ARGUS International. Tampa Bay Aviation directs charter customers to Skyway Aviation.
• Liberty UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlight training affiliate partnership allowing students to earn college credit through Bachelor of Science in Aviation program while completing flight certificates and ratings at Tampa Bay Aviation. VA GI Bill approved courses include Instrument Fixed Wing, Commercial Fixed Wing, CFI Fixed Wing, CFII Fixed Wing, Commercial Multi-Engine Add On, Rotorcraft CFI, and Multi-Engine Instructor ratings.
• Purdue University GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering online Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight degree. Students can receive up to 45 transfer credits upon enrollment after completing professional pilot certificates and ratings, potentially saving up to $28,400 in tuition. Program allows students to work on degree while flight training or working as flight instructor.
• Southwest Aviation Insurance GroupminorOthersInsurance partner providing renters insurance for aircraft rental. Minimum coverage required: $10,000 for fixed wing students, $20,000 for rotorcraft renters. Higher minimums for Arrow ($30,000) and Cessna 182 ($50,000).
• U.S. Department of Veterans AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVA GI Bill approved flight training provider. Approved programs include Instrument Fixed Wing, Commercial Fixed Wing, CFI Fixed Wing, CFII Fixed Wing, Commercial Multi-Engine Add On, Rotorcraft Helicopter CFI, Multi-Engine Land CFI, and Commercial Rotorcraft Add-On. Also approved for Credentialing Assistance programs for active duty Army/Air Force through COOL program.
• Robinson Helicopter CompanycoreTechnology or IntegrationAuthorized Robinson Service Center fully maintaining R22, R44, and R66 helicopters. Mechanics are Robinson Factory trained and certified. Provides fixed base maintenance at Clearwater Airpark (KCLW) plus off-site maintenance for annual, 100-hour, track and balance, and emergency service.
• SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEVIS approved Part 141 flight school certified to accept international students with valid M-1 visas. Provides structured pathway for foreign flight student training including Foreign Training Security Program (FTSP) compliance.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CAE: CAE is a global aviation training leader operating flight academies (including recently acquired AVNIR and Pannell) and a major provider of airline crew training. Represents a large incumbent with career pilot training that overlaps TBA's accelerated professional pilot offering, though at greater scale and broader geographic reach.
• FlightSafety International: FlightSafety International (a Berkshire Hathaway company) is a large, established aviation training organization primarily focused on advanced/simulator-based crew training for airlines and corporate operators. Represents a broader incumbent with overlapping pilot training capabilities but a much higher-end, enterprise-focused model.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Embry-Riddle is the largest U.S. university-based aviation program, offering integrated flight training as part of aviation degree programs with its own fleet and instructors. Competes for the same career-track student demographic and offers a degree-integrated alternative to TBA's university partnership model.

Direct peers

• Guidance Aviation: Guidance Aviation is a helicopter-focused Part 141 school in Prescott, Arizona, offering private through commercial helicopter training. Directly comparable in its helicopter training focus, Robinson fleet usage, and career-track offerings.
• Phoenix East Aviation: Phoenix East Aviation is a Florida-based Part 141 school offering accelerated professional pilot programs with international student services — closely overlapping TBA's career-track training, SEVIS certification, and accelerated completion offering.
• ATP Flight School: ATP is the largest Part 141 flight training chain in the U.S., offering accelerated career pilot programs (Zero-Time to ATP) directly competitive with TBA's Priority Access Training. Both schools target aspiring airline pilots with structured, time-to-certification promises and similar fleet/instructor economics.
• Epic Flight Academy: Epic Flight Academy is a large Part 141 school in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, with a comparable model: accelerated career pilot training, international student recruitment (SEVIS-approved), and multi-aircraft fleet. Directly comparable geographic and product competitor.
• Florida Flyers Flight Academy: Florida Flyers is a Part 141 school offering fixed-wing and helicopter training with a similar Florida-focused model. Comparable in terms of multi-rating curriculum, aircraft rental, and career pilot pathway offerings.
• Hillsboro Aero Academy: Hillsboro Aero Academy is a Part 141 school in Oregon offering accelerated professional pilot programs and degree pathways through partner universities — similar model to TBA's Liberty/Purdue Global partnerships and career-track emphasis.
• Sporty's Flight Academy: Sporty's Flight Academy is a Batavia, Ohio-based Part 141 school offering private through commercial training and helicopter training. Comparable curriculum scope and Part 141 certification, though TBA's geographic focus (Tampa Bay) and helicopter emphasis differ.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TBAviation
• Facebookfacebook.com/tampabayaviation
• Instagraminstagram.com/tampabayaviation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles35 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tampa Bay Aviation