St Pete-Clearwater International (PIE) is a medium sized multi-use airport located in Clearwater, Florida just north of St. Petersburg. The airport is situated nine miles southwest of Tampa International, nine miles northwest of MacDill Air Force Base, and nine miles north northwest of Albert Whitted airport. The airport’s Class Delta airspace underlies the Tampa Class Bravo. Pilots inbound to St. Pete-Clearwater for the first time need to be familiar with the rules and regulations for operating in this diverse airspace environment.

1:06 - The traffic mix at PIE.

1:32 - The airport consists of two intersecting runways labeled 4-22 and 18-36.

1:50 - Hot spot #1 is located on taxiway Alpha southbound, at the hold short line for runway 4-22.

3:02 - There are a number of airports in close proximity to St. Pete-Clearwater. Similarities in the naming convention of these airports can also contribute to pilot confusion.

3:37 - When arriving from the north and northwest, close attention needs to be paid not only to Class Bravo airspace requirements, but to aircraft operating into and out of the uncontrolled Clearwater Air Park, located approximately six miles northwest of St. Pete-Clearwater airport.

3:55 - When arriving from or departing to the south, extra vigilance should be used for operations into and out of Albert Whitted Field.

4:04 - When St. Pete-Clearwater is landing north, that is, runway 36 and runway 4, extra attention to ensure you are aligned on the correct final is advised.

4:20 - When exiting the south FBO ramp, pilots have become confused as to which way to turn upon entering the taxiway.

The FAA's From the Flight Deck video series uses aircraft-mounted cameras to capture runway and taxiway footage and combines them with diagrams and visual graphics to clearly identify hot spots and other safety-sensitive items. Learn more at https://www.faa.gov/go/FromTheFlightDeck