Flying to Whitted Airport, St. Petersburg, FL

[rudymantel]

Yesterday (Sunday) Jane and I flew to St. Petersburg for a family function.
After a full week of strong winds and gusts, it was a beautiful day. The flight times were about 1+45 each way, 4,500' over and 3,500' return.
It's a 4 hour drive by car as there's no road across the Everglades.

We landed at the downtown Albert Whitted Airport (SPG) which had been the subject of much controversy as the developers lobbied to have it closed, ostensibly to make it a park but actually to build yet more high-rise condos witha small park thrown in. The city fathers decided to put this to a vote and wonderously, last year the people voted overwhelmingly to keep the airport ! This airport is on the shoreline right in the midst of downtown. Approaches are flown in close proximity to office buildings and high-rise condos. The yacht club is directly off the end of Runway 36 as is a stadium.
But noise was never an issue and the good folks actually like and support the airport and consider it an asset to the community.
At our function we met a wonderful 90 year old lady- she certainly didn't look or act her age. She still sails from the yacht club and plays bridge weekly.
A native of St. Petersburg, she's on the Chamber of Commerce and a great fan of the airport. She said several of the people who live in her condo building have airplanes at Albert Whitted. And she would never stand for closing the airport.
It was such a pleasant and uplifting experience, using that very convenient airport and knowing that the local folk appreciate it. Thought I'd share this with you-
Rudy