Three brothers from Tampa Bay, known as the Patel brothers, recently celebrated their achievement in an FAA student airport design competition by visiting Tampa International Airport (TPA) to engage with real-world airport planning professionals. Shaan, 16, Sahil, 15, and Krishiv, 13, took part in this exciting visit on January 10, where they had the opportunity to present their award-winning design and tour various facilities within the airport.
The family’s visit was a delightful experience for the aviation enthusiasts, who had always dreamed of exploring the inner workings of an operational airport. During their tour, they visited the Airport Operations Center, SkyCenter One office building, the airfield, and observed the baggage handling system in action, solidifying their passion for aviation.
Shaan Patel expressed his excitement, stating, “Growing up, I used to love making model airports and collecting model planes. Now planes have become a part of me, and I love it so much. Being able to come to TPA and see all this after all our effort is fantastic.”
The Airport Design Challenge, which attracts students from Kindergarten through 12th grade, allows participants to create virtual airport designs using Minecraft. The competition is structured into categories for younger and older students, with the Patel brothers claiming first place in the Primary Airport design category for grades 7-12 as the team “Aviator Bros.” Their project involved designing a concept for Tampa International Airport, integrating unique features like innovative dining options, an observation deck atop the Economy Parking Garage, and a cargo port designed for drone deliveries.
This hands-on experience not only encourages young minds to delve into aviation but also fosters connections with industry experts, providing insight into the field. With such initiatives, the future of aviation looks promising, as curious and talented youths like the Patel brothers continue to envision and build the airports of tomorrow.
Summary: The Patel brothers from Tampa Bay recently won an FAA student airport design competition and visited Tampa International Airport to meet professionals in the field and showcase their innovative designs. Their project, which incorporated unique features into a virtual airport model, highlights the potential future leaders of the aviation industry. Their experience exemplifies the importance of early engagement and education in aviation, inspiring hope for the next generation.