St. Pete and Pinellas students, trained at SRQ
A flight school for St. Petersburg students
Across the bay at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, we train St. Pete and Clearwater students one-on-one, from first flight to CFI.
Training from Pinellas County
Choosing a flight school from St. Petersburg
Pinellas County has its own airports and flight schools, and Universal Flight Training isn't one of them. We're based at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), on the other side of Tampa Bay.
St. Pete and Clearwater students who train with us do it for the training itself: one-on-one instruction, a fleet that runs from basic trainers to Cirrus SR22 G6s, and a simulator, testing center, and maintenance shop all on the same field.
If you're comparing schools, put the training plan side by side with the drive. A few questions make the difference clear.
- Who will teach me? Ask whether you'll fly with the same instructor and how lessons are planned.
- What will I fly? Ask which aircraft you'll train in, how they're equipped, and what they cost.
- What comes after? If a career is the goal, ask whether the school trains through Commercial and CFI.
- How do I start? Ask what a first flight costs and what it includes.
Why cross the bay
One field, one instructor, a full path to the pros
UFT was founded in 2010 by Jose Santos, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant, and it's still founder-run. Instruction is one-on-one, so the pace follows your progress.
For students who want to fly for a living, UFT trains from Private Pilot through Instrument, Commercial, and Certified Flight Instructor. A partnership with Purdue Global also lets students work toward a degree alongside training.
- Towered airport training Work with SRQ tower from your first lesson, alongside airline traffic.
- Simulator and testing on site Practice in the simulator and take FAA knowledge tests without leaving SRQ.
- Checkride retest coverage For eligible students, UFT covers the examiner retest fee after a first-attempt checkride.
- Degree pathway Combine flight training with a Purdue Global degree program.
Your first flight
Start with a flight over the bay you live beside
UFT's $299 discovery flight is a short lesson with an instructor, about 30 to 40 minutes, and you take the controls.
When you book, you can request the Skyway Bridge or Egmont Key route. Both are at the mouth of Tampa Bay, so a St. Pete student gets to see home water from the left seat.
Plan the path
See the steps from first lesson to the airlines
Our free pilot training guide lays out each certificate and rating in order, so you can see how far the path goes before you start.
Getting to SRQ
From St. Petersburg to our Sarasota base
Use the map for the current route and traffic from St. Petersburg. Conditions across the bay change through the day, so give yourself some margin before lessons.
Lessons start at UFT's facility at 8140 15th St E, not at the airport's passenger terminal.
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Our Address
8140 15th St E
Sarasota, FL 34243 -
Call Us
(941) 300-0309 -
Email Us
[email protected]
Student reviews
What students and renters say
These Google reviews come from UFT students and renters. They describe training at SRQ in general, not a Pinellas County location.
Leave Us a Review-
Our son Christian took his very first discovery flight at the age of 13 and it was an absolutely incredible experience! That smile on his face says it all! His instructor was so good with him and gave him some great information. I would recommend this place to any future aviators, we will definitely be back!
Cori R.
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Excellent place to train! Whether it is flying or taking a written knowledge exam, I highly recommend Universal Flight Training. The staff cares about your success. During my IRA knowledge exam, there was an unexpected county-wide internet outage. Jose allowed me to wait at the location until the internet was working again, and did everything in his power to help me take the test the same day it was scheduled. True class all around!
Nick S.
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Great vibes from this place. We had a mechanical over the weekend and were grounded far from home. Jose and team went above and beyond (staying late on a Sunday!) to get us home by Sunday evening. This action speaks to the care and quality at this facility.
Seth P.
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We rented a plane for a trip. Jose was very helpful in making our trip possible. His instructor Aldo was friendly and professional and helped get the checkout done quickly. The airplane was clean and well maintained. I highly recommend UFT for rental or flight instruction.
Ryan O.
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Jose - who runs the flying school - was a fantastic instructor for my introductory lesson - very professional, talking me through everything before, during and after the flight. And it's a great location to learn to fly - spectacular views all around. Definitely recommend!
Olliver K.
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I started attending UFT for my Private Pilots License and have gone all the way through to CFI. The quality of the staff and instructors are great and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here at UFT. I can’t thank the team enough for all of the care and support they put into my training. Great aircraft options as well. Would recommend to anyone looking to learn how to fly or rent an aircraft.
Aldo M.
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Great school with great instructors and well maintained planes. The owner Jose and all his staff are great people. One of the few places that offers a ground school course for both PPL and IFR. Ramp has easy access to taxiways for quick departures so it doesn’t run up the hobbs on you while also allowing you to gain valuable communications experience. SRQ controllers are also very accommodating and know the tail numbers and work well with you for IFR training. Overall great experience and I highly recommend them.
Eric S.
St. Pete FAQs
Questions from St. Petersburg students
What Pinellas County students usually ask before training at SRQ.
Does UFT have a flight school in St. Petersburg or Clearwater?
No. All UFT training happens at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, 8140 15th St E, Sarasota. Students from St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the rest of Pinellas County come to SRQ for lessons.
Can my discovery flight go over the Skyway Bridge?
Yes. The Skyway Bridge and Egmont Key are both route options for UFT's $299 discovery flight. Choose your route when you book.
Is it worth crossing the bay for flight lessons?
That depends on what you're comparing. If one-on-one instruction, the aircraft, and having a simulator and testing center on the same field matter to you, the trip can be worth it. A discovery flight lets you judge before you commit.
Can I earn a degree while I train?
UFT partners with Purdue Global, so students can work toward a degree alongside flight training. See the university program page for current terms.
Do Clearwater students train with UFT too?
Students from anywhere in Pinellas County, Clearwater included, are welcome. Tell us where you're starting in the contact form and we'll help you plan lessons around the trip.
No questions match your search. Try a different word or topic.
Still have questions? Contact our team
Plan your training from St. Petersburg
Tell us your goal and when you can usually get to SRQ. We'll suggest a first step and a lesson schedule that makes the trip across the bay worthwhile.
Our team can answer questions about programs, aircraft, financing, and the Purdue Global degree pathway.
- Address
- 8140 15th St E
Sarasota, FL 34243 - Telephone
- (941) 300-0309
- [email protected]
Ready to train with UFT from St. Pete?
Enroll when you're ready, or talk to our team about financing before you choose a program.