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An FBO or fixed base operator (also known as fixed base of operation), is the primary provider of services to General Aviation aircraft and operators located at or adjacent to an airport. An FBO may be a private enterprise, municipality or city operated, or state-agency operated. Primarily a term used within the United States and other North American countries, the term is becoming more common in the International aviation industry.

FBO businesses traditionally offer aircraft refueling (also known as line service) of both reciprocating engine aircraft fuel (100LL or Avgas) and turbine aircraft fuel (Jet-A or Jet A-1), aircraft parking and tie-down, and access to basic comforts such as restrooms and telephones. Other services may include flight training and aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance service, hangar storage, air charter and air-taxi, aircraft sales, and ground handling of passengers, baggage and/or cargo.

Auxiliary services such as car rental, pilot/crew rest lounges, in-flight catering, and hotel reservation / concierge services for both crew and passengers may also be available.

Contents 1 History of the term 2 Services offered 3 United States 4 Canada 5 References

[edit] History of the term

After the end of World War I in November of 1918, civil aviation in the United States was primarily unregulated and was primarily made up of "Barnstormers" or transient pilots operating inexpensive military surplus aircraft from city-to-city, often landing in farm fields on the outskirts of a town as airports were scarce at that time. These traveling aviators offered airplane rides, aerobatic flight demonstrations, and frequently collaborated as "Flying Circuses" and performed impromptu airshows for the townsfolk, charging whatever the local economic conditions would allow. As a result, mechanics and early flight instructors moved around with the aircraft and had no established business in any one location.

With passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926 and its resulting requirements in the licensing of pilots, aircraft maintenance requirements, and regulations in training standards, the transient nature of civil aviation was curtailed. The pilots and mechanics who made their living on the road, began establishing permanent businesses, termed Fixed-Base Operations at the growing number of airports appearing throughout the United States as a way to distinguish permanent businesses from the transient businesses common prior to 1926^[1].

[edit] Services offered

Over the years, as most aviation services became centered around airports, the term FBO has changed in common usage. Today, it usually means that an operator sells fuel for general aviation aircraft, and provides some facilities for receiving and handling charter flights and passengers.

Although many FBOs still house little more than a tattered old sofa and a table for flight planning, today most have bright, airy modern facilities. Nearly all provide a computer with weather depiction or an Internet connection so pilots can begin their briefings online. In addition to a passenger lounge, many also have a quiet room where a weary crew can lean back and snooze while waiting out the weather or waiting for passengers. Hungry crew members can frequently borrow a car for a quick ride into town for lunch or dinner. If a car is not available, it is not unusual for an FBO operator to provide a lift into town for a meal or a hotel room. ^[2]

Commonly there is a store, or just a single counter, selling charts, manuals, and other accessories such as headsets and "sick-sacks". If there isn't a restaurant or other food service on the field, there may be a vending machine or even a refrigerator stocked and maintained on the "honor system". Nearly every FBO has a pot of coffee waiting on the burner.

There is often a hangar available for maintenance or to protect airplanes from weather. Other times it is necessary to "tie-down" small aircraft outside near the FBO.

Fancier FBOs may require a landing fee or an overnight fee that usually varies according to the size of plane. In some cases, the fee is waived if fuel is purchased.

Most importantly, nearly every FBO provides a telephone that can be used 24-hours a day so that pilots can close their flight plans and get a briefing for their next flight. Twenty-four hour bathrooms are another necessity.

[edit] United States

The number U.S. businesses meeting the minimum criteria as an FBO is 3,138 as of April 2009 according to a survey conducted by Aviation Resource Group International (ARGI). The number is down from 3,346 as stated in the 2006 survey^[3]

[edit] Canada

At medium and large-sized airports, FBOs are typically affiliated with one of the major aviation fuel suppliers and display the fuel supplier's sign prominently. At smaller airports, the FBO is often the airport operator or a flying club.

[edit] References