Two Thousand Words on Peter O. Knight Airport (TPF)
Introduction
Peter O. Knight Airport (TPF) is a Tampa, Florida gem you might not be familiar with, providing some history and charm about the travel experience tucked in downtown Tampa. Originally built in 1935 as a Works Progress Administration project, the midsized airport has hosted historical aviators who piloted U.S. military aircraft and continues to serve its local community and general aviation hobbyists today.
Peter O. Knight Airport is only 3 miles from the heart of Tampa, giving visitors easy access to all that a weekend packed with entertainment has in store for them – whether it's riverwalk parks or Ybor City knick-knacks and mementos these seeking… Located on the quiet of Davis Islands, PrivatAir Tampa is a convenient option from Downtown; not to mention how few high-density operations go through this destination compared to nearby at TPA.
Airlines and Destinations
Peter O. Knight is classified as a general aviation airport, so hosts no scheduled commercial passenger flights — but that might not always be the case if change continues heading our way and local priorities flip into realigned place-frameworks at Kirkhof! However, it is a popular location amongst general aviation (private and charter flying), storm spotter activity during severe weather outbreaks, flight training as well as recreational pilots due to the airport's numerous runways.
Fixed-base operators (FBOs) at the airport include Atlas Aviation, which offers aircraft maintenance and refueling services as well as ground handling. These FBOs are designed to cater to the private pilots and aircraft owners, delivering a personalized, efficient experience.
Number of Passengers and Departures
Since the facility is geared toward general aviation, passenger numbers and total flights are not available. Still, the airport has a long history and serves as a busy little center of light general aviation activity in Tampa Bay.
How to Get Here
The on-ramp for Peter O. Knight Airport is an easy one to enter. On Davis Islands, the airport is only 5 minutes from downtown Tampa. Airport Access: The airport is located just southwest of downtown Tampa, and visitors can access it most easily from the Crosstown Expressway (I-275) by using the Davis Islands/Bayshore Boulevard exit.
Said airport provides good transportation links to the rest of the area for those coming over by air. The airport is located about 6.6 NM northeast of Tampa International Airport (KTPA), the city's primary commercial-service facility.
Parking
Public Parking — Peter O. Knight Airport offers a lot of parking for visitors! The main car park is immediately outside the terminal building and therefore provides speedy access for those arriving by road. There is no cost for parking, and the site is open every day of the year, 24 hours.
Aircraft tie-downs and hangar storage are available in addition to the parking lot, providing convenience for private pilots and aircraft owners.
Transportation Price
Peter O. Knight Operated as a general aviation airport (no public transportation services). People who arrive at the airport will have to drive themselves or hire an Uber, a taxi, and get dropped off.
This may vary according to the method used and by how many kilometers you want it transported. This means that the price of a taxi or rideshare ride from the airport to downtown Tampa is between $10 and $20, while parking your vehicle at TPA will be charge-free.
Terminal Layout
Peter O. Knight Airport features a low-slung terminal building with some general aviation flavor to it. The terminal also provides a location for the airport's administrative offices, and only includes a small waiting area where passengers can sit down while they wait for domestic flights or pilots lounge.
The terminal building, albeit tiny, is clean and gives a cozy feeling to the visitors. The design is simple, with the main entrance opening directly into the lobby area, and FBO office space just around the corner.
Navigate the Airport
Peter O. Knight Airport is relatively easy to navigate due to its small size and basic infrastructure. When you land, it is very easy to get to the terminal building, which connects all of the airport services.
The airport has two runways (4/22 and 18/36) located well beyond the terminals. Moreover, it is easy for the pilots and aircraft owners to find out about all of those different FBO facilities that include fuel stations along with maintenance hangars.
Getting Between Terminals
Being a single-terminal airport, there are not multiple terminals to find your way through as with conventional major airports. Visitors will not face difficulty in accessing all required services and amenities as there is the only main terminal building on airport operations.
Services and Amenities
Although Peter O. Knight Airport may not offer the full services and amenities found at larger, commercial airports, it still has a variety of facilities to better serve its general aviation users.
The terminal building also has a pilot's lounge for pilots to relax, prepare their flights, and check the latest weather and flight planning information. The airport also has fuel services onsite, including Avgas and Jet A fuels, in place for aircraft.
In addition, the FBOs at Peter O. Knight provide everything from aircraft maintenance and avionics upgrades to flight instruction. The airport offers tie-down and hangar storage of private aircraft for those that are visiting as well.
Restaurants and Shops
Peter O. Knight is a general aviation airport and does not have any restaurants or retail shops on site. This airport primarily features basic services and amenities provided to private pilots along with aircraft owners.
Yet its Davis Islands location gives convenient access to many restaurants, shopping, and other activities that the neighborhood affords. In close proximity is downtown Tampa and its bustling arts, entertainment scene, various training centers, in addition to shopping.
Security and Customs
There are no dedicated security checkpoints or customs facilities available within Peter O. Knight Airport since it is used for domestic private plane operations only, as a result in-state and passenger flights operate notwithstanding the presence of state officials at the airport building. Because it is a general aviation airport, the security rules are different than those at larger commercial airports.
Private pilots and aircraft owners are responsible to verify that they comply with all applicable security and customs regulations pertaining to their arrival or departure at the airport. These require guidance much like the one provided to visitors by FBOs and airport staff.
Accessibility
Discerning visitors with disabilities will find special driving conditions at the user-friendly Peter O. Knight Airport. The terminal building and its surroundings have accessible parking, ramps to facilitate the transit of all guests.
There are spaces at the airport specifically designed for loading and unloading wheelchair-accessible aircraft, with accessible restrooms located within the terminal building. Anyone with unique requirements should reach out to the airport or their FBO, but can expect services will be available.
Travel Tips
- Make sure to schedule your arrival and departure with care since the airport operates from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, 7 days a week.
- This pub near gate 1 is named after an Arabic rhyme referenced in Nietzsche's "Also Sprach Zarathustra," which means "When you must go to another bar / then the black flags come wagging."
- Contact your FBO or aircraft operator to ensure a smooth arrival and departure.
- Visit downtown Tampa since the city is not too far from its airport, for some of it has captivating destinations to experience.
- Avoid descending over the airport's noise-sensitive residential neighbors according to any required sequential descent or other established noise abatement procedures.
- Before your arrival, verify any applicable NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) for airport conditions or restrictions.
These are a few tips one must remember so that while arriving at Peter O. Knight Airport, you will go through as smooth and pleasant an experience as possible during a trip to this adorable general aviation hub situated in Tampa, Florida.