Tampa Bay Aviation (Clearwater)

I started my flight training at Tampa Bay Aviation to earn my Private Pilot Certificate, and I recently completed the CFI program and successfully passed my CFI checkride. I’m grateful for the instruction and support I received throughout every stage of my training. Isaiah played a huge role in preparing me to become a competent flight instructor. He taught me how to be more organized and structured, constantly challenged me to think outside the box, and always pushed me to do better. I’m grateful for his patience throughout my training. No matter how many questions I had or how challenging a lesson became, he always took the time to explain concepts thoroughly and made sure I understood them. I also had the opportunity to fly with Cullen, Drew, Cameron, and Nick. Their instruction was professional, safe, and highly effective. They reinforced good habits, answered every question thoroughly, and gave me the confidence I needed to be successful on my checkride. I'd also like to thank Joey Rivas for guiding me through my Private Pilot and Instrument training. He was an outstanding instructor who built the strong foundation that led me to this point. I appreciate his patience, mentorship, and dedication throughout my journey. I highly recommend Tampa Bay Aviation to anyone pursuing flight training, whether you're just starting your aviation journey or working toward other ratings. They provide quality instruction, professionalism, and commitment to their students.

I started training with Tampa Bay Aviation in February 2024 and passed my Private Pilot check ride in October 2025. My flight training journey goes back to 90s, with long breaks in between, but TBA is the school that finally got me across the finish line. Their onboarding was exactly what I needed—proactive without being pushy—and the Clearwater location was a few miles from home. I trained in their PA-28 fleet, and every aircraft I flew was safe, well-maintained, and taken offline only for legitimate reasons. I trust them enough that I’ll keep renting from TBA to stay current until I buy an aircraft or a share in one. The instructor side matched what you’d expect from a Part 61 school, but the quality of instruction was consistently strong. My first CFI, Grace, eventually moved on to a regional airline, and Elliott took over to finish my training. Elliott is the kind of instructor you hope to find: calm, methodical, and fully invested in making you a safe, confident pilot. If you can train with him, you should. TBA worked around my demanding professional schedule without complaint. I was managing a global team, and there were weeks when life had to take priority. They never made it an issue. The stage checks were thorough, and the use of multiple instructors kept evaluations objective, and their use of the Cessna/King curriculum made it easy to track and understand progress. When my check ride day came around, the school treated it like the milestone it was. They helped coordinate the DPE, ensured the aircraft was fully prepped (including all logs), and supported me all the way. Flight Schedule Pro isn’t perfect, but TBA uses it well. Pre-buying blocks of time helps with scheduling priority, though they don’t really push this option (if you have the capability, I recommend it). If you’re considering training here, the best advice I can give is: do your written first. It frees up your headspace so you can focus on flying and reviewing/studying. After three decades of dreaming, Tampa Bay Aviation helped me finally achieve my Private Pilot certificate.

I could not recommend Tampa Bay Aviation enough. This is a flight school that truly cares about seeing you succeed and reach your goals, while pushing you to become a safer and more proficient pilot every day. I have done all of my flight training with TBA at KCLW, starting with private, all the way through CFI. The instructors at the school are absolutely incredible. In my time at the school I have flown with and learned from Isaiah, Elliott, Cameron, Drew, Will, MeKenzie, Nick, and Cullen. They are all incredible. I most recently took the CFI course that TBA offers. Isaiah does an amazing job at organizing this course, giving you all the information you need to be successful, and tailoring training to your specific needs through many one-on-one lessons. After going through this course, you can be confident going into your checkride. Lastly, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone at the front desk, Gavin, Cody, Mikyle, and Garett, for all their help throughout my training so far.

I joined Tampa Bay Aviation’s Priority Access Training (PAT) program at the beginning of my instrument training, and in just eight months I was able to complete my Instrument through CFI certificates. I’ll also be finishing my CFII with TBA shortly. Throughout my training, I always had answers to my questions and felt extremely prepared going into every checkride. Thanks to the support and instruction I received, I was able to successfully complete each checkride on the first attempt. The staff and instructors at TBA were outstanding. There was always someone willing to help, offer advice, or lend a hand whenever needed. Kyle Castellano was my instructor throughout my Instrument and Commercial training, and he consistently went above and beyond, ensuring I not only learned the material but truly understood it and was thoroughly prepared for every milestone. Isaiah Karsen administered my CFI training and did an exceptional job leading a well-structured class that set everyone up for success. He not only instructed the material but created an environment that kept us organized, challenged, and fully prepared for the demands of the CFI checkride. I would highly recommend Tampa Bay Aviation to anyone looking to start their pilot training or accelerate their progress toward their aviation goals. Thank you, TBA, for providing such an incredible training experience!

Tampa bay aviation has a great team of instructors and plenty of aircraft to choose from. Cade Beal has been a top instructor from the beginning. Gavin at the front desk is very helpful with scheduling and lets you know of any conflicts ahead of time. I never felt pressured to fly and I’ve been able to finish all of my checkrides right on time.