TPA to hold a May 3 outreach session on drone use, safety and education

(April 19, 2018) Tampa international airport would like to invite all local drone pilots and members of the Tampa Bay community to attend an educational outreach presentation on Thursday, May 3, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Aviation Authority boardroom. The session is aimed to educate drone operators on the runway protection zones put in place last fall and other safety guidelines, as well as generate open discussion among the rapidly growing local drone using community. 

The two-hour event will also include a guest presentation by FAA Safety Team member and certified drone instructor Casey King, who will be speaking about Unmanned Aircraft Systems rules and regulations and how they fit into the larger general aviation community. Tampa International Airport officials will also be on hand to answer any questions about the Hillsborough County Aviation’s height restrictions near TPA, Peter O. Knight, Tampa Executive and Plant City airports, which are aimed to ensure aircraft safety. An interactive map of those zones can be accessed at: www.tampaairport.com/UAS.

“With an increasing number of both recreational and commercial drone pilots sharing air space with our aircraft, we feel it’s important to have ongoing discussions with our community through educational outreach,” said TPA Airport Operations Manager Nevada Smith, the Airport’s liaison to area drone operators. “Our number one priority at all of our four airports is safety and we hope keeping an open dialogue with our drone community as we continue to grow and operate together.”

The Aviation Authority boardroom is located on the 3rd level of the Main Terminal near the Blue Earhart elevators. For more information about UAS/drones and TPA, go to: http://www.tampaairport.com/UAS.