Air Florida Commuter Helicopter Service

Air Florida Inc. Aerospatiale Alouette 2 helicopter hovering at Tampa International Airport. Date unknown. Gandy Collection. Courtesy, University of South Florida digital collection

Air Florida Inc. flying an Air Florida Inc. Aerospatiale Alouette 2 helicopter over the Hillsborough River downtown. Date unknown. Gandy Collection. Courtesy, University of South Florida digital collection

In the late 1950s, as Tampa International Airport emerged from Drew Field Municipal Airport, it was trying to expand its footing and lure more passengers. It officially opened on April 15, 1959. It was a key part of Tampa’s development during the post-World War II boom.

In 1960, Herbert Godfry, director of the Aviation Authority, announced the inception of a helicopter inter-city “feeder service” that would fly to surrounding cities to pick up airline passengers and bring them to TIA for longer flights. He was attempting to establish a regional hub airport, and Air Florida was born. Air Florida’s president, Jame P Van Pelt, purchased the stock of Tropical Airlines to start the company and began surveying for possible helicopter sites. The four-passenger Alouette 2-C, 125-miles-per-hour ‘copters targeted St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, and Sarasota as pick-up spots. The service was short-lived as the company found commercial short-hop helicopter services unprofitable. However, they expanded into other ventures, including crop dusting, local helicopter tours, and craning.

Passengers aboard an Air Florida Inc, helicopter. Date unknown. Gandy Collection. Courtesy, University of South Florida digital collection

Air Florida Inc. Aerospatiale Alouette 2 helicopter hovering at Tampa International Airport. Date unknown. Gandy Collection. Courtesy, University of South Florida digital collection

Promotional image for Air Florida Inc. Date unknown. Gandy Collection. Courtesy, University of South Florida digital collection