Inside Washington Continued from page 7 to NATA are the comments that follow the related news stories. This would be a natural place for pilots to “pile on.” And while some do, there are also thoughtful comments from writers who understand that FBO pricing is more complex than its glib portrayal in what is essentially an association’s membership renewal campaign. Some of the best discussion centers around the role of airports and the impact on FBO economics of a local airport or community’s desire for high- end facilities, ways to most easily address security concerns or their own investment challenges. Federal requirements and local conditions can be managed together, and the industry has traditionally united to seek the necessary balance. The FBO services market is and remains a very competitive industry. As the filings demonstrate, pilots, flight departments, charter companies, and fractional operators make a choice every day of what airports to fly into and which provider meets their requirements. Pilots have more technology than ever to create options to assist them in deciding where to land, purchase fuel, and remain overnight based on cost, conve- nience, reputation and services a fixed base operation provides. Currently, in the case of Jet A fuel there are no less than 26 providers of contract fuel (a method of payment offered by fuel suppliers and other transaction entities), most if not all posting weekly prices at most FBOs across the country. There are nu- merous websites that offer the piston and turbine pilots prices, with flight planning and other services, including FltPlan.com, AirNav, and RocketRoute. Those within the aviation industry fully understand that FBOs compete vigorously with each other on price, service, and quality of facilities. Often, an FBO’s primary competitor is not a competing operation on the same airport but rather another airport in close proximity, or the airport where the plane came from or its final destination. Pilots, take some of the self-congratulatory back patting of organizations with a grain of salt. The reporting has a tendency to peter out when the news turns inconvenient. For example, taking credit for a second FBO at Jackson Hole has stopped. Why? Because the airport authority may buy out the existing operation in favor of a city-run FBO. How about prices at John Wayne Airport now that an incumbent FBO was turned out? Looks like the total user price for fuel, handling fees and rents are still about the same. Economic regulation of FBOs is no different than trying to privatize air traffic control, another example of trying to fix something that isn’t broken. (Visit www.nata.aero to read NATA’s state of the aviation business sector overview.) Airline Career Pilot Program ê Instrument, Commercial & Certifi ed Flight Instructor (Single, Multi & Instrument) ê 40 Hours Multi-Engine (100 Hour Multi Option Available) ê Guaranteed Flight Instructor Job Airline Sponsored Career Track ê Graduate in 9 months and fl ight instruct with ATP ê Interview with an airline at 500 hours ê Commit to your airline ê Fly for your airline in about 2 years Starting with Zero Experience — Includes Private 9 Month $65,995 Full Financing Available FAST TRACK Housing Option Available ATP CTP ê Dallas, TX ê Classes Start Every Monday, Wednesday, & Friday ê Add $200 for ATM Knowledge Prep & Test $4,795 / 7 Days Airline Discounts Available GI Bill Accepted Aircraft Dispatcher 200 Hour Initial Course ê Dallas, TX ê All Books & Training Material Included ê ADX Test Prep Software & Exam Included $4,995 / 6 Weeks Financing Available ATPFlightSchool.com Call or text (904) 595-7950 quarter-page-creative.indd 1 8 7/24/17 9:28 AM Aviation Business Journal | 3rd Quarter 2017
