Monument Dedication Ceremony 2-6-21

Sculptor Mark Aeling’s full-sized stainless steel replica of the Benoist airboat, with a 40-foot wingspan and fitted out with bronze statues of pilot Jannus and his first passenger, former St. Pete mayor A.B. Pheil, was dedicated this morning 2-6-21.  Jannus and paid passenger Pheil made the first commercial airline flight on January 1, 1914 between St. Petersburg and Tampa.  The monument is the newest addition to the #stpete #stpetepier. Will Michaels led the effort to create the historical monument and was this morning's host. #tonyjannus #firstflight #benoistairboat #tampabay #radio #radiostpete.  The program was aired in full on both RadioStPete Online and Sunshine 96. FM in St. Petersburg.  Volunteer Rob Sumner covered the event for RadioStPete and provided the audio.