Tampa North Flight and Rental Center

"Posting for my wife-Terrible experience, run down airport and malfunctioning airplane. I'm writing this review to provide the information I wish I had had before I wasted my family's time and disappointed both my son and dad. On 12/29/22, I booked two half hour Discovery flights for my son and my dad with Angela Brammer for Sunday 1/15/23 at 9:30 AM. She said they would be flying a Cessna 172. My son is an aspiring pilot and is hoping to take flight lessons over school breaks and summer. My dad is a former pilot but has not flown in 40 years. Both were very excited. On Thursday 1/12/23, Angie (maybe same person as Angela Brammer?) called and said she would be their pilot. She asked if each wanted a turn to fly and took their weights to see if they could ride along on each other’s flight as a passenger. My dad lives locally, but we traveled from Jacksonville on Saturday 1/14/23 afternoon for the Sunday 1/15/23 AM flights. On Saturday 1/14/23, just after 6 PM, I got a text from Angie that the pilot, presumably her, was ill and that my son and dad's flights were cancelled. Since we had driven 3 1/2 hours, I asked if there was anyone else available anytime on Sunday 1/15/23 or Monday 1/16/23 to do the flights. A couple hours later, I received a text that Jim could take them at 10:30 AM on Monday 1/16/23. My son and dad were ecstatic. We arrived and watched the mechanic Keith bring out the Cessna 172 (registration N7063Q), which had visible rust. The pilot said there are three aircraft used for instruction/discovery flights and that this one was his favorite. My dad had difficulty closing the old damaged door and the original labeling on the instruments had been worn off and replaced with label maker labels. After the three were seated in the plane and ready to take off, it would not start. Apparently the battery was dead and the battery is a known problem. Jim talked about jumping the battery, but the mechanic was gone. In an attempt to salvage the trip, I asked if there were any other aircraft that could just take my dad up and forget my son. We would be willing to wait all day. Jim checked the schedule and said that both other planes were being used and no pilots were available, He would not be available as he had an afternoon appointment. Angie (who said she was too sick to take us the day before) was currently flying and had 2 other lessons that day. We left and will not go back. Poor customer service, poor equipment maintenance, poorly run business. I would avoid this flight school."

"Great Experience! Highly recommend this flight center. My brother and I were exploring the flight schools in the area and did an Intro flight here. Angie is an amazing instructor! Very knowledgeable and patiently addressed all my questions and concerns. Surely coming back for more great memories!"

"Have nothing personal against recreational aviation. But TEL / leaded gasoline aka in aviation: AVGAS is something that needs to be banned for the safety and public health of the community. Lead is a highly potent neurotoxin, even in small doses. And there are countless reputable, peer-reviewed studies showing elevated lead exposure being linked to lower IQ amongst children living near GA's and general health impairment amongst the public. On a personal note, some of these planes fly way too low in our communities and the acknowledgment on the hazards of the highly toxic TEL need to be addressed in public discourse. I hope the owner of this business, and others, take due action in the future with the newly-created non-leaded G100UL."

"This is a wonderful place. Rob, Mike, Keith, and the entire staff here are extremely knowledgeable. The cafe has great food, and everyone is very helpful. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!"