Fixed Base Operator - Essay Example

FIXED BASE OPERATOR How does the modern FBO meet community aviation needs and provide essential transportation services DEFINITION. FBO meansa Fixed Base Operator duly licensed and authorized by written agreement with the airport owner to provide aeronautical services at the airport under compliance with such agreement and pursuant to these regulations and standards. By definition an FBO has a "fixed base" of operations, i.e. an office, hangar or shop on the airport, approved for commercial operations. INTRODUCTION. In the aviation industry, a fixed base operator (also known as fixed base of operation), or FBO, is a service center at an airport that may be a private enterprise or may be a department of the municipality that the airport serves. The term is originally North American, but it is becoming more common in Europe and the UK and with fanchisees all over the world, the concept is prevalent under different nomenclature/company names at most major airports across the world. The Need for an FBO. With ever increasing air traffic across the world, a modern aircraft and aircrew operate in a very dynamic environment today. There used to be a time when the pilot operating a shuttle as a hobby in the past used to overhaul its engine, repair abnormal operation, carry out servicing, refuelling, inventory management, look after passengers and efficiently perform all tasks we can think of while operating an aircraft. However, with modernisation in the field, the tasks have become more and more professional, complex, technical and critical for safe operation of an aircraft. The responsibility is manifold, penalties for an error are heavy, and many times even death. Hence, gradually there was a shift in early decades to bifurcate the jobs between pilots and the technicians. Now the two are totally different fields and many more such fields have been introduced in support of operations. The rationale has been that each and every person in aviation field has a well defined job and that it is interwoven to such an extent that all these fields work together just to keep an aircraft high up in the air safe. General. The airport is one of the most vital elements in our air transportation system. A well equipped airport provides a variety of facilities for the aircraft and for crews and passengers. These include runways and taxiways, which may be lighted for day and night use; a terminal building with lounge areas for passengers, and possibly a restaurant and shops; automobile parking lots; ramp areas and hangars for aircraft storage; and maintenance shops for aircraft and avionics. In the United States, there are about 13,000 airports and 4,000 heliports (landing sites for helicopters). About 5,000 of these landing facilities are used by the public. It may surprise you to learn that only about 650 airports are served by airlines; most of the Nation's airports are used by general aviation pilots and their aircraft. The atmosphere at these airports is usually a lot less hectic and pressured than the environment at a major airline facility. Some airports are owned by municipalities, states, counties, and cities. Others are operated as privately owned businesses. A fixed base operator (FBO) is a retail firm that sells general aviation products or services at an airport. The FBO may employ one or two people, or it may have as many as one hundred workers. One or more of the following services are offered: aircraft fueling; airframe, engine, and/or instrument repairs; avionics sales and service; aircraft modifications; flight training; ground school; aircraft rentals and sales; and air taxi service and charter flights. Student pilot training has been rising in recent years, as have sales of new general aircraft both of which have been traditional sources of income for many Fixed Base Operators. Services. The services offered by a modern FBO may include any or all of the following: Aircraft fueling, de-fueling and oil dispensing: This aspect is normally carried out by professionals from various oil companies under strict guidelines and standards under direct supervision of technicians. Aircraft parking, tie-down and hangar storage: An aircraft on ground needs to be looked after like a baby and is secured to protect it from various ailments of weather, collision on ground with other vehicles/aircraft, protecting sensitive equipment from natural problems like heat, dust or rain. Airframe, power plant and accessory service: Well qualified, experienced and licensed technicians are responsible to ensure that the airframe, powerplant and other accessories are in flyworthy state and serviced properly as per strict maintenance schedules laid down by the manufacturer. Radio and instrument service. These sensitive equipment which have evolved with modernisation in aviation world need to be serviceable at all times to ensure a safe flight in conemporary complex skies of today. Avionics: Shop area, office space with telephone and restrooms, and trained and certified personnel on duty to ensure airworthiness at all times. Aircraft sales and/or rental. Sufficient office space, aircraft display area, telephone, and aircraft inventory. An FBO may hold in its inventory a set of aircraft too and offer them for convenience of customers as air charters or rent. Flight training. An FBO engaged in flight training of aircrew may provide training facilities to the flight deck crew and cabin crew and even hold a list of such well trained and current freelancers to be provided to operators as and when needed. Line service: Properly trained personnel; ropes, chains, or other restraining devices, wheel chocks and other such equipment for each tie down position. Flight instruction: Trained and certified instructor, classroom, telephone and restrooms and aircraft available for instruction are prerequisites. These resources are becoming scarce with each passing year and have been a consistent headache for flying school operators. Air taxi and charter: Certification, aircraft with sufficient hangar, T-hangar, or tie down space, offices with telephone and restrooms, and aircraft loading or unloading area for passengers and cargo are pre-requisites. Agricultural spraying operation: Qualified pilot, aircraft designed/modified for such purpose, qualified personnel on duty to properly handle dangerous chemicals, secure area to store chemicals, and properly designed and constructed wash down pad are required to perform these operations. Other as agreed on by contract: Telephone for public use, ground transportation into town, pilot and passenger lounge with restrooms, retail business area with restrooms, and coffee and/or soft drinks etc. Besides direct dealing with aircraft operations on ground and in air, the FBO also may povide ground services such as: Aircraft towing Baggage handling Glycol deicing Power starts Air Starts Lavatory services Potable water Aircraft cleaning Cabin supplies Catering Additionally the FBOs also serve pilots, private airplane owners, travelers and airlines with services such as rental cars, charters, lounges, catering, hotel reservations, weather briefing, flight planning services, business centers,and a wide variety of related and non-related services. United States There are roughly 5,245 FBOs in the United States. Many FBOs are operated as franchisees or members of a chain. FBO chains common in the United States include SheltAir Aviation Services, Signature Flight Support, Million Air, Atlantic Aviation, Atlas Aviation, Cutter Aviation, Landmark Aviation, TACAir, Trajen and UVglobal Network. Canada At medium and large-sized airports, FBOs are typically affiliated with one of the major aviation fuel suppliers, Shell, Esso, or Petro-T (Quebec only) and display the fuel supplier's sign prominently. At smaller airports, the FBO is often the airport operator or a flying club. Some of the American FBO chains, such as Million Air, also operate at a few Canadian airports. Success as an FBO. The FBO operates essentially with an intention of making profit for the organization after ensuring adequate services are provided to the customers and competitive wages are paid to its employees who are in much demand in some regions of the world and high turnover exists as such. In such an environment, success of an FBO depends upon many aspects which include the following: Focus on Clients. With rapid expansion of aviation, there is development in support infrastructure and also tremendous competition. Any FBO not adequately fulfilling customer needs can be easily replaced. A FBO thus must endeavor to: Keep Customers Satisfied and Returning. Make it Easy for Them to Fly, Fuel, and Turn. Provide Added Value. Increase Interaction and Communication. Good Operating Procedures. Safety is paramount and correct operating procedures only can ensure a safe operating environment. It is important to ensure proper: Regulatory Compliance Record Keeping Maintenance Security Attention to the Details. Minute attention to all details would go a long way in optimum resource utilization. The FBO must: Control Operating Costs / Price Properly Utilize Resources Efficiently Ensure Accurate Accounting Hold proper Client Accounts / Billing Ensure effective Aircraft Management Multi-Airport / Satellite Base Support In today's context, multi-airport support by an FBO ensures smoother operations at more than one airport. With this option, a single client and resource database can be maintained and resources can be moved or shared between airports. Aircraft Management This feature must provide for: - Customer aircraft in maintenance tracking and planning activities. - Provides complete information about aircraft utilization and maintenance. For aircraft that are leased to the FBO, this may include reporting of who flew the aircraft, when, and for how long. Innovative outlook. In this dynamic world of aviation, the age old theory of survival of the fittest is very relevant. Unless the management is innovative in its outlook and constantly upgrading its skills to stay ahead in market, the operator cannot sustain for long. Pilots / Instructors / Students / Crewmembers / Personnel: In modern aviation guided by strict monitoring of airworthiness of aircrew and cabin crew through regular checks and skill tests, the FBO can provide for: - Pilot qualification and limitation checker. Checks for currency, flight review, medical, citizenship, age of majority, etc. prior to schedule or dispatch. - Personal information / Identification number to ensure currency/validity of licenses. - Background data storage and utilization when so required. - Citizenship details in multi-national operations to ensure compliance with laid down regulations. Employment Criteria Depending upon the size and scope of the airport operations, the FBO employs line persons, mechanics, avionics technicians, flight instructors, and aircraft sales persons. The FBO may also carry on a small aviation mechanics training operation, and if he or she is a licensed aviation mechanic, supervises the work of mechanics. Customer service personnel will often arrange for ground transportation and overnight accommodations for general aviation pilots and their passengers. The FBO is essentially an entrepreneur; the opportunities for increased business and income depend upon his or her own initiative and ability to keep up with changes in aircraft, aircraft equipment, and services. The variety of activities in which an FBO can be involved offer some assurance of a stable income. Working Conditions The FBO's place of business can be a small hangar or shop with adjoining office and perhaps a pilot's lounge. Or, it can be an elaborate series of hangars, shops, offices, classrooms, and showrooms. The hours are determined by the amount of time the FBO wants to devote to the business. The work is demanding with not much scope for error, and heavy penalties for the erring individual. Keeping motivation alive becomes an arduous task for the human resource managers, and they are constantly on the lookout for better performers in the market who are available and ready to work for them. Typical Requirements and/or Experience The requirements to become a fixed base operator are not clearly defined. Certainly an interest in aviation is basic. A pilot's license is not essential, but such training is useful since it provides a good understanding of the many functions of an FBO as well as contacts with pilots who may patronize the business. Education Educational requirements vary depending on the position at the FBO. Some posts are technical in nature and require specific qualifications by law while others are general in nature offering a variety of choice from the society. Again, the job of the human resource managers has a bearing on the work output, quality and eventually its very reputation and thereby survivability in the market. Social Status Married and unmarried men and women, with or without children are eligible and selected. Persons, who are widowed or divorced, also are eligible. It is the policy of most aviation companies to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Most aviation companies are strongly committed to this policy, and believe in the concept and spirit of the country's law. Most aviation companies are committed to assuring that: All recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, and other employment related programs are provided fairly to all persons on an equal opportunity basis without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law; Employment decisions are based on the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action; All personnel actions such as compensation, benefits, transfers, training, and participation in social and recreational programs are administered without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law, and; Employees and applicants will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination because they have exercised any right protected by law. Most aviation companies believe in and practice equal opportunity and affirmative action. All employees are responsible for supporting the concept of equal opportunity and affirmative action and assisting the company in meeting its objectives. Most aviation companies maintain Affirmative Action Plans for minorities, women, disabled persons and veterans. Outlook for the Future Aviation plays a prominent role in our economy and new opportunities will always be available. Today, larger airports are expanding and smaller "reliever" airports are being upgraded to serve general aviation traffic being relocated from congested airports. The introduction of low cost airlines is also playing a role in creating opportunities in the FBO industry. Air travel in the U.S. grew at a rapid pace until 2001, expanding from 172 million passenger emplanements in 1970 to nearly 615 million in 2000. However, over the next 3 years, a combination of factors-the events of September 11th, 2001, an economic recession, and other factors-combined to reduce traffic back to 1995 levels. After September 11, 2001, air travel was severely depressed. Nevertheless, air travel remains one of the most popular modes of transportation. Despite a recent slowdown in passenger air travel, demographic and income trends indicate favorable conditions for leisure travel in the United States and abroad over the next decade. The aging of the population, in combination with growth of disposable income among the elderly, should increase the demand for air transportation services. Across the world too, there has been recent spurt in the aviation industry with growth in some Asian countries projected at 20% per year. With this phenomenal growth, the demand for FBO will only multiply with added responsibilities likely to be added to its already demanding sphere of jobs. It can be expected that in next decade, the role of the FBO in our air transportation system will grow at an exponential rate. Conclusion. An FBO has an important role to play in air transportation system of country. It not only employs people from all sections of the society and integrates their individual skills into an efficient, safety conscious and professional organization which has potential to survive in any market eventuality, provide timely and quality work output and at the same time ensure competitive service to its customers without compromising on any aspect which may directly affect lives of hundreds of innocent people. Aviation history is replete with cases of small overlooking on the part of some individuals leading to major air disasters affecting hundreds of lives directly and millions across the world indirectly. An aviation disaster today is most watched news item as per most viewers and here too, no news is best news for all aviation companies, people and professional pilots. All the world's FBOs are eventually working to ensure that there is no news tonight. http://myfbo.com/ http://www.painefield.com/ http://Avjobs.com http://www.dot.state.tx.us Read More