Peter O. Knight Airport

Peter O. Knight Airport Peter O. Knight Airport is a public use airport on Davis Islands in Tampa, Florida that serves general aviation and light aircraft operations near Tampa Bay, Downtown Tampa, and the Admiral Farragut Academy waterfront. The airport is owned by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority and lies adjacent to landmarks such as Tampa General Hospital, Ybor City, and the University of Tampa footprint, offering proximity to maritime facilities like the Port of Tampa. The field is named for Peter Olson Knight, a prominent local businessman and aviation enthusiast associated with early Florida aviation development.

History

The airport site was developed during the expansion era of Tampa, Florida in the 1920s and 1930s when municipal growth paralleled aviation projects endorsed by figures such as David P. Davis and investors tied to the Davis Islands Development Corporation. Early operations intersected with regional air routes promoted by carriers influenced by the Air Mail Act era and by aviation pioneers who collaborated with institutions like Curtiss-Wright. During World War II, the field's operations paralleled training and support activities coordinated with nearby MacDill Air Force Base and coastal defense contractors linked to St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport networks. Postwar decades saw civic leaders from Tampa Bay such as Hillsborough County commissioners and figures associated with Mayor Dick Greco making policy choices that affected the airport’s governance, including disputes involving the Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library and urban planning authorities. Preservation efforts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries involved advocacy from organizations like the Historic Tampa Preservation Board, Davis Islands Civic Association, and regional historians connected to the Tampa Bay History Center. Debates about redevelopment drew attention from stakeholders including MacDill AFB planners, Federal Aviation Administration officials, and legal entities such as the Florida Department of Transportation.

Facilities and Aircraft

The field features a single runway (18/36) of asphalt and concrete surfaces maintained under standards influenced by the Federal Aviation Administration. Hangar facilities accommodate a mix of fixed-wing aircraft associated with operators linked to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and training entities resembling programs at institutions like Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. On-site infrastructure includes fuel services conforming to codes administered by the Environmental Protection Agency and maintenance shops using suppliers that partner with manufacturers such as Cessna Aircraft Company, Gulfstream Aerospace, and Piper Aircraft. The airport hosts instrument procedures coordinated with the National Airspace System and flight service stations that align with protocols from the United States Department of Transportation. Ancillary facilities include tie-downs, a control advisory position operating under rules applied by FAA regions, and hangars historically associated with restoration groups connected to the Experimental Aircraft Association and classic aircraft registries like the National Air and Space Museum collections.

Operations and Airlines

Operational activity is dominated by general aviation, flight training, and air taxi services that interface with regional businesses including Tampa International Airport operators and charter firms linked to the Air Charter Association. Flight schools and fixed-base operators at the field have historically cooperated with career programs sponsored by entities like Hillsborough Community College and aviation workforce initiatives affiliated with the Aviation Technician Education Council. While the airport does not host scheduled commercial airlines similar to carriers at Orlando International Airport or Miami International Airport, it functions as a node for executive travel, medevac operations associated with Tampa General Hospital air ambulance providers, and aerial services connected to broadcast companies such as Raycom Media. The facility supports sightseeing flights over landmarks like Bayshore Boulevard, Old Tampa Bay, and the Tampa Riverwalk, and is often used by corporate flight departments representing firms headquartered in Tampa, including those in industries related to Port Tampa Bay commerce.

Accidents and Incidents

The airport’s incident history includes general aviation occurrences reported to the National Transportation Safety Board and investigated under frameworks used by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Airspace System safety programs. Notable responses have involved coordination with local emergency services such as the Tampa Fire Rescue and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Past airframe incidents prompted reviews by organizations akin to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and resulted in safety advisories consistent with FAA Advisory Circulars concerning single-runway operations and water-adjacent approaches. Investigations have drawn upon records maintained by the NTSB and operational data shared with regional planning bodies like the West Central Florida Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Role in Community and Events

The airport functions as a focal point for community aviation engagement, partnering with civic groups including the Davis Islands Civic Association, Tampa Bay Watch, and educational partners such as the Museum of Science & Industry (Tampa) for outreach. Annual events and fly-ins attract participants connected to the Experimental Aircraft Association chapters, veterans’ groups linked to Tampa Bay Veterans Day commemorations, and tourism initiatives promoted by Visit Tampa Bay. The site contributes to emergency preparedness planning coordinated with the Hillsborough County Emergency Management office and regional disaster response frameworks involving Florida Division of Emergency Management. Cultural and charitable activities have featured collaborations with organizations like United Way of Tampa Bay, aviation scholarship programs associated with the Orlando Aviation Academic Consortium, and local media partners tied to outlets such as WFLA-TV and Tampa Bay Times.

Category:Airports in Florida Category:Transportation in Tampa, Florida