How Does the Modern FBO Meet Community Aviation Needs - Term Paper Example

Modern FBO A Fixed-base operator (FBO) came into existence after the Air Commerce Act of 1926. The Federal Aviation Administration has defined an FBOwho under the license provides aeronautical services such as hungering, aircraft maintenance, tie-down and parking, fueling, flight instruction etc. The term Fixed-base Operator was coined in the United States; however, it is being extensively used now in the international aviation industry. An FBO is a primary provider of support services to general aviation operators at an airport. Most FBO operators operate as private or publicly-held companies doing business at airports of high to moderate traffic volume. During 1920s aviation sector in US was not regulated. Due to so many causalities, many aviation personnel believed that some sort of federal regulation was necessary which can impart public confidence in the safety aspects. However, many believed that it should be in the hands of state authorities. To thwart the debate, the then president Calvin Coolidge appointed a committee to investigate on the need of some safety measures. On submission of the report by committee the Air Commerce Act came into being on May 20, 1926. (“FAA Historical chronology”) Under the act, all fundamental regulatory powers were vested with the United States Department of Commerce, whose primary focus was on establishing airways, to certify the airworthiness of aircraft, testing and providing licenses to pilots, making and enforcing safety rules, investigating accidents in aviation. Later on in 1938, a new independent agency came into effect known as Civil Aeronautics Authority. In 1940, the then President Franklin Roosevelt split the CAA into two forming another body called Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). The CAA had the responsibility of air traffic control, safety programs and airway development. The job of CAB was to ensure safety aspects, accident investigation. Both organizations operated under the Department of Commerce however, CAB operated with more autonomy and functioned independently. After a number of midair collisions, government gave way to a new act called Federal Aviation Act of 1958. This act prompted the formation of a new body called Federal Aviation agency taking over the functions of CAA. This act transferred the task related to safety aspects from CAB to FAA with full responsibility for common civil-military operations of air traffic control and air navigation. (“FAA Historical chronology”) Fixed-base operators provide a wide range of services. Some of them go as per the following. 1. Pilot Training. 2. Line Services for General Aviation Aircraft 3. Sale of Aviation Fuel 4. Aircraft Rental and Sightseeing. 5. Aircraft Parking (Tie-down or Hangar). 6. Sale of Aircraft Parts. 7. Repair and Maintenance of Aircraft. 8. Scheduled and Nonscheduled Air Carrier support Services 9. Aerial Photography. 10. Air taxi and Air Charter Operations. 11. Aerial Advertising and Surveying. 12. Aerial Advertising and Surveying. The above list is not exhaustive and as the aviation industry grows, it keeps on adding more and more services. In order to have more specific understanding how FBO provides these services, it will be pertinent to have a look at the minimum facilities provided in a typical international airport. Following Services have been found to work at Harrisburg International Airport in Pennsylvania. (“CHAPTER 476”) Aircraft fueling services: Fuel Products: The FBOs are equipped to provide aviation fuel products that are required in the operation of variety of aircrafts. Pumps are made available to dispense the fuel at the locations necessary for easy access to airport customers. Complying with applicable federal, and state or local regulations pertaining to storage and handling of fuels is a must for the operations of FBO. Aircraft Parking: A typical FBO provides around 50,000 square feet of area to accommodate aircraft parking and tie downs. Automobile Parking: A FBO provides around 10,000 square feet of space for vehicle parking. Hanger: It usually provides a hanger of about 10,000 square feet. The hanger is meant for aircraft maintenance and storage that consists of door openings of at least 60 feet in width and at least 17 feet in height. Besides, it provide for public restrooms, training and flight offices of about 2,000 square feet. (“CHAPTER 476”) Fuel Service: The FBO usually provides appropriate jet fuel and fuel of AVGAS. Mandatory Services: There are certain mandatory services for any FBO to provide at any particular airport. Aircraft fueling and oil dispensing along with aircraft parking, tie-down and hangar services are part of such mandatory services. The minimum requirements for these services are as per the following. Ramp Area. (i) The FBO is geared up to provide taxi lines to refuel. Hangar and Tie-down areas are earmarked and isolated for safety of transient and local based customer aircraft. (ii) FBO is supposed to comply with the current FAA Advisory Circular entitled, ‘‘Aircraft Ground Handling and Servicing.’’ (iii) On leased ramp area, FBO is supposed to provide marking lines both for parking of transient aircraft and for taxi pavement. (“CHAPTER 476”) (1) Tie-down aircraft is done in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular entitled, ‘‘Tie-Down Sense’’ which is done by anchoring through ropes. (2) Hangar storage–aircraft maintenance and storage. (i) Hangar storage space will be equipped with fire extinguishers. FBO have trained staff in the use and application of fire extinguisher. (ii) FBO is equipped with facilities to move aircraft such as two tugs with tow bar attachments to handle aircraft. (“CHAPTER 476”) Airframe, Power Plant and Accessory Services All FBOs are geared to provide comprehensive maintenance services. All necessary spares and parts are supplied and necessary maintenance work is carried out by trained personnel. Skilled technicians holding proper FAA certification and trained as per FAA regulations are available to service the aircraft and carry out maintenance work. (“MINIMUM STANDARDS”) Usual operating hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on all business days but at all other times licensed specialist as per the guidelines of Federal Communications Commission or FAA-certified mechanic is available to meet with emergency service requirements of the clients. Air taxi and Charter Services: The FBO is supposed to hold a FAA Air Taxi Commercial Operator’s Certificate and FAA-certified personnel is available to carry out the air taxi services for each aircraft. Surveillance for Aircraft Connecticut FBO, the Business Aircraft Center, has established a new system that allows aircraft owners to use a security code that make them to log in to their computers. This enables them watch their planes from anywhere in the world. Thus, this system offers an extra degree of protection and a revolution in the aviation industry. (Epstein, Curt 2011) Flight Training Services FBO also provides flight training as per the provisions laid down by FAA. This is carried out by personnel holding a certificate from FAA. FBO is also required to use the aircraft certified by FAA for the purpose and should be fully controlled by FBO. The flight training services are offered subject to the normal weather conditions. (“CHAPTER 476”) Optional Services: Besides above mentioned services provided by a competent FBO, there are certain optional services that can be provided by them. They are listed as per the following. (1) Aerial photography or survey (2) Aerial advertising. (3) Power line or pipeline patrol. (4) FBO also offers new and used aircraft. They also provide necessary spares and repairing services required to meet the warranties for which sales permissions for the said aircraft have been granted. (“CHAPTER 476”) Judging the FBO Services The AVN Survey: In 2009, the Aviation International News carried out the survey covering Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East among its readers to rate FBOs in four categories. 1. Line Service 2. Passenger Amenities 3. Pilot Amenities and services 4. Facilities The survey participants were asked to assign a number in scale of 1 to 10. Ten was the highest and one was the lowest rating assigned to FBOs. Averages were calculated by adding each FBOs ratings for each of the four categories and then dividing the sum received by the number of respondents. Only those who were invited to participate in this survey could access the website and fill the online ballot form. Each invitee was given a specific code and they were supposed to use the code while giving their opinions. Total 2661 survey forms were received. Results are tabulated as per the following. Top 25 FBOs in International Ranking Rank FBO City Average 1 TAG Aviation London Farnborough 8.46 2 Signature Flight Support Hong Kong 8.29 3 Grafair Jet Center Stockholm 8.11 4 ExecuJet Switzerland/Aviation Ground Services Zurich 8.00 5 TAG Aviation Geneva 7.88 6 Signature Flight Support (formerly MES) Munich 7.85 7 Jet Aviation Dusseldorf 7.79 8 Jet Aviation London Biggin Hill 7.77 9 Harrods Aviation London Stansted 7.68 9 Universal Aviation Paris Le Bourget 7.68 10 South Air Iceland Keflavik 7.62 11 Royal Jet Abu Dhabi 7.61 12 Dassault Falcon Service Paris Le Bourget 7.60 13 Universal Aviation London Stansted 7.58 13 ExecuJet Aviation Services Johannesburg 7.58 14 Executive Flight Services Dubai 7.57 15 Jet Aviation Geneva 7.56 16 KLM Jet Center Rotterdam 7.54 17 Harrods Aviation London Luton 7.52 18 Jet Aviation Dubai 7.51 19 Jet Aviation Basel Mulhouse 7.47 20 Vienna Aircraft Handling Vienna 7.43 20 Universal Aviation Milan 7.43 21 Jet Aviation Zurich 7.34 22 Signature Flight Support London Luton 7.31 23 Service People Hamburg 7.28 24 Signature Flight Support Paris Le Bourget 7.26 25 ExecuJet Germany Berlin 7.25 Source: AIN 2009 Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa. FBO Reader Survey Above survey also reveals that most of the FBOs are run by six companies. It is an indication that in the field of FBOs significant consolidation has taken place. It has been also found that most of the top FBOs are located in the UK, SWITZERLAND, Germany and France. At the same time, it will be interesting to take a note regarding the FBOs working in U.S. The following table indicates about the top 25 FBOs in Americas. Top 25-rated FBOs - The Americas (according to overall average) Rank FBO City Average 1 City of Sugar Land Sugar Land Regional (SGR) 9.13 2 Wilson Air Center Memphis International (MEM) 9.09 3 Tampa International Jet Center Tampa International (TPA) 8.97 4 AirFlite Long Beach Airport Daugherty Field (LGB) 8.00 5 Pentastar Aviation Oakland County International (PTK) 8.88 6 Meridian Teterboro Teterboro (TEB) 8.85 7 Banyan Air Services Fort Lauderdale Executive (FXE) 8.79 8 Million Air Addison (ADS) 8.72 9 Jet Aviation Palm Beach International (PBI) 8.69 10 Business Jet Center Dallas Love Field (DAL) 8.68 11 Dulles Jet Center Washington Dulles International (IAD) 8.66 12 Signature Flight Support St. Paul Downtown-Holman Field (STP) 8.64 13 Yellowstone Jet Center Gallatin Field (BZN) 8.63 14 Swift Aviation Services Sky Harbor International (PHX) 8.60 15 Scottsdale Air Center Scottsdale Municipal (SDL) 8.59 15 Texas Jet Meacham International (FTW) 8.59 16 Enterprise Jet Center Hobby (HOU) 8.57 17 Avitat Westchester Westchester County (HPN) 8.55 18 Del Monte Aviation Monterey Peninsula (MRY) 8.53 19 Skyservice Avitat Lester B. Pearson International (CYYZ) 8.51 19 Wilson Air Center Douglas International (CLT) 8.51 20 UVavemex Adolfo Lopez Mateos International (MMTO) 8.49 21 National Jets Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL) 8.47 22 Monterey Jet Center Monterey Peninsula (MRY) 8.42 23 Million Air Salt Lake City International (SLC) 8.41 24 Denver jetCenter Centennial (APA) 8.40 25 Showalter Flying Service Orlando Executive (ORL) 8.37 25 Signature Flight Support Minn./St. Paul International (MSP) 8.37 Source: AIN 2010 Americas FBO Survey The survey was conducted online and was prepared and instituted by Forecast International of Newtown, Conn. The four major FBO chains of Americas that emerged outshining others were Atlantic Aviation, Landmark Aviation, Million Air and Signature Flight Support. They all had their establishments at various airports that came out with a good score of 8.0 and above. The top rated FBOs have been listed as per the responses received from pilots; users of FBOs and dispatchers. The categories on which they were asked to rate were passenger amenities, pilot services, line services, and facilities. Again, it was measured in the scale of one to ten– one being the worst performance and ten being the highest. (“AIN 2010 Americas”) Flight Schools and FBOs Besides, many FBOs do have their own flight schools where they offer full training through their owned or rental aircrafts such as Piper Archer, Cessna Skyhawk etc. Skyhawk can comfortably carry two adults and can fly nonstop for 800 miles. The advantage with the Skyhawk is that it offers a 360-degree view through its tinted windows. Their fleet is found to be well equipped and well maintained and include advanced avionics facilities like the glass cockpit. They offer full fledged interactive computer based instruction programs using full motion videos. FBOs also avail the services of top aviation educators to teach all the basics first through class room sessions with the aid of computers and then through a series of real life flight sessions in the air. (“Learning to Fly”) What Makes a Good FBO It will be interesting to see what some of the AIN readers commented during the annual FBO survey in 2008 on “What makes a good FBO.” A good FBO is one that anticipates customer needs and fulfills those needs with a smile. That was the remark made by chief pilot, Dan Valentim. (“FBO Survey 2008”) A good FBO is the one that just doesnt talk a good program but acts to cater the needs of passengers and crew. That is what told by Gene Marek, captain (“FBO Survey 2008”) Thomas Gaydos, director flight operations, says on good FBO, “Large or small market doesn’t matter. Employee attitude, ability to help passengers and crew accomplish their tasks, reasonable fees.” (“FBO Survey 2008”) “Good line service and care of passengers. If the airport authority doesn’t allow VIP transportation on the ramp then quick transfers to the jet are a must", as succinctly put by Robert Scarborough, captain. (“FBO Survey 2008”) George Pawlik, captain says, “One that doesn’t gouge you.” (“FBO Survey 2008”) Conclusion: One thing is certain that future of FBO is linked with the growth of aviation industries. As economy takes new strides, FBO is sure to reach new heights. Many new services will continue to be added under the fold of FBOs as ever. More demanding the customers become, more improvements will keep coming in the functioning of FBOs not only in the U.S. but in international arena also. Thus, FBO has become the most integral and important part of aviation industry. References: 1. FAA Historical Chronology. Retrieved March 14, 2011, from http://accidents-ll.faa.gov/UAL718/FAA_Historical_Chronology.pdf 2. CHAPTER 476. Retrieved March 14, 2011, from http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/067/chapter476/chap476toc.html 3. MINIMUM STANDARDS. Retrieved March 14, 2011, from http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/advisory_circular/150-5190-7/150_5190_7.pdf 4. Epstein, Curt (2011). surveillance-for-aircraft Retrieved March 14, 2011, from http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/connecticut-fbo-offers-surveillance-for-aircraft-28676/ pdf 5. AIN 2009 Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa FBO Survey (2009). Retrieved March 14, 2011, from http://www.ainonline.com/fileadmin/template/main/pdfs/2009_International_FBO_Report.pdf 6. AIN 2010 Americas FBO Survey (2010) Retrieved March 14, 2011, from http://www.ainonline.com/fileadmin/template/main/pdfs/2010_AIN_FBO_Survey_The_Americas.pdf 7. Learning to Fly Retrieved March 14, 2011, from http://www.atlasaviationinc.com/cbi.htm 8. FBO Survey (2008) Retrieved March 14, 2011, from http://www.miami-airport.com/pdfdoc/FBOSurvey08b.pdf Read More