Tampa Bay students, trained at SRQ
Flight training for Tampa students
We train at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, and show here how Tampa students make the trip work and what they get for it.
Choosing a school from Tampa
Flight training near Tampa: what to compare before you choose
Tampa has flight schools closer to home, and for some students the shortest drive is the right call. For others, the aircraft, the instructor, and the way a school handles scheduling matter more than the mileage. Compare those first.
If you live in Tampa and train with Universal Flight Training, every lesson starts at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). The drive becomes part of the plan, so it pays to book lessons in a way that makes each trip count.
Training at SRQ also means talking with a control tower from your first lesson. Those radio skills carry over when you later fly into the busier airspace around Tampa Bay.
- The aircraft Ask what you'll train in and what it costs per hour. UFT publishes its rental rates.
- The schedule Ask how far ahead you can book and how weather cancellations are handled.
- The path If flying is a career goal, ask whether the school can take you from Private Pilot to CFI.
- The first flight A discovery flight tells you more about a school than its website does.
Why Tampa students make the trip
What you get at SRQ that's worth the drive
Jose Santos, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant, founded UFT in 2010 and still runs it. Training is one-on-one, so your instructor plans each lesson around your progress instead of a class calendar.
Everything a student needs is on the same field. When you're coming from Tampa, that means one trip can cover a lesson, simulator practice, or an FAA knowledge test, with no second stop.
- A fleet for each stage From a Piper Cherokee for primary training to G1000 NXi Cessnas and Cirrus SR22 G6s.
- Simulator on site Practice procedures in the simulator on days the weather won't cooperate.
- FAA testing on site Take your knowledge test at UFT's CATS/PSI testing center at SRQ.
- Checkride retest coverage For eligible students, UFT covers the examiner retest fee after a first-attempt checkride.
Make the commute work
A training week that fits a Tampa schedule
These habits keep training moving when your lessons are a drive away. Your instructor will adjust them to your goals and availability.
- 01 Book blocks, not single hours
Ask for a slot long enough for a briefing, a flight, and a debrief, so each trip to SRQ covers more ground.
- 02 Keep a steady rhythm
Regular lessons help skills stick between flights. Our guide on how many lessons to schedule each week covers the trade-offs.
- 03 Study at home, fly at SRQ
Knowledge test prep and lesson review don't need the airport. Save your time at SRQ for flying and the simulator.
- 04 Keep a weather backup
Florida summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms. Morning slots and a simulator backup keep a stormy day from becoming a wasted trip.
Not ready to commit?
Try one flight before you plan the drive
A $299 discovery flight puts you at the controls with an instructor for about 30 to 40 minutes. It's the quickest way to find out whether UFT is worth the trip from Tampa.
Getting to SRQ
From Tampa to our Sarasota base
Use the map to check the current route and traffic from Tampa. Drive times change through the day, so leave some margin before early 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 UFT students say
These Google reviews come from UFT students and renters. They describe training at SRQ in general, so read them for what lessons here are like day to day.
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.
Tampa FAQs
Questions from Tampa students
The questions Tampa Bay students usually ask before they book their first lesson at SRQ.
Does Universal Flight Training have a location in Tampa?
No. All UFT flight training happens at our base at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, 8140 15th St E, Sarasota. Students who live in Tampa drive to SRQ for their lessons.
How long is the drive from Tampa to SRQ?
It depends on where you start in Tampa and on traffic at that time of day. Check the map on this page for a current estimate, and leave extra time before morning lessons.
Which parts of training can I do from home in Tampa?
Ground study, knowledge test prep, and lesson review can all happen at home. Flight lessons and simulator sessions with UFT take place at SRQ.
How often should a Tampa student plan to fly?
Many students do well with two to three lessons a week, because skills fade less between flights. If the drive makes that hard, longer blocks on fewer days can work. Your instructor will help you choose a pace.
Can I train toward a pilot career from Tampa?
Yes. UFT trains students from Private Pilot through the Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot certificate, and Certified Flight Instructor. The programs page outlines each step.
No questions match your search. Try a different word or topic.
Still have questions? Contact our team
Talk to us about training from Tampa
Tell us where you're starting from, what you want to fly for, and which days you can usually get to SRQ. We'll suggest a schedule and a first step that fit.
Our team at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport can answer questions about aircraft, programs, financing, and lesson availability.
- Address
- 8140 15th St E
Sarasota, FL 34243 - Telephone
- (941) 300-0309
- [email protected]
Ready to start flight training from Tampa?
Enroll in a program when you're ready, or review financing options first if cost is the deciding factor.