Saving SPG
Documentary profiles preventing airport closing
The film details the airport’s connection to aviation history, its growth throughout the decades, and opposition over the years that led to a citywide referendum in 2003 that asked whether Albert Whitted be closed and redeveloped, or if it should remain an airport forever.
“‘Everybody tells me I can’t close it,’” Walt Driggers, executive director of the Friends of Albert Whitted Airport (FOAWA) recalled the mayor of St. Petersburg saying at the time. “‘Nobody has told me why I shouldn’t close it.’”
AOPA was deeply involved in efforts to save the airport for years. That culminated in visits by then-AOPA President Phil Boyer to the area, and an advertising campaign ahead of the referendum. Spoiler: The city voted overwhelmingly to keep the airport open forever by nearly a three-to-one margin. Since then, the film shows how the community has embraced the airport and incorporated it more deeply into the fabric of the city. For example, since the 2003 vote, the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg—a popular IndyCar race—uses one of the airport’s runways as part of the race track.
“St. Petersburg became St. Petersburg because of that airport and how it helped the city develop,” said Driggers—through tourism, a post-World War II population boom, continued development, and emerging opportunities with new technology. The Friends of Albert Whitted Airport worked with Roundhouse Creative to produce the film—a process that took two and a half years, much longer than expected.
“Every time we turned a stone over, it was amazing,” said Driggers. “We all learned something that we didn’t know about that airport.”
AOPA Air Safety Institute Senior Vice President Mike Ginter—who previously served as AOPA vice president of airports and state advocacy—and AOPA Southern Regional Manager Stacey Heaton were interviewed for the film.
Heaton attended the premiere of Our City, Our Airport in St. Petersburg on October 28; FOAWA has held 20 screenings since then, including one at Sun ’n Fun on April 16. Our City, Our Airport will also be screened at EAA AirVenture on Thursday, July 23, at 1 p.m. in the EAA Museum Skyscape Theater.
Since its debut, the film trailer won two Addy Awards, which recognize creative excellence.
“Our City, Our Airport is important for any general aviation pilot to see,” said AOPA Acting Co-President Katie Pribyl. “Once an airport closes, it’s gone forever. Voters in St. Petersburg made it clear years ago that they see the value in general aviation—and the film does a great job highlighting how the airport hasn’t just helped the local economy grow but has also become a centerpiece of the community.”
Driggers says communities that think of their airport as a liability and not an asset should change their perspective.
“You don’t understand your airport,” said Driggers. “You need to educate yourself about the airport and the attributes that airport supplies to your community, and they may not be maximized but you need to look at it as an opportunity, not as a problem.” 
ourcityourairport.org
