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AVweb‘s latest “FBO of the Week” ribbon goes to Highland County Airport (KHOC) in Hillsboro, Ohio.
Dr. Andrew Hesketh discovered the charm and welcoming atmosphere of this GA-friendly airport on a recent stopover:
I was returning from eastern Pennsylvania (Pennridge/KCKZ) in my 1956 BE35 to my home base near St. Louis, Missouri (Alton Regional/KALN), and, with predicted headwinds, I knew I needed to plan a fuel stop. A quick check with AirNav’s fuel prices provided Highland County Airport (KHOC) selling fuel for under $5/gallon. After a three-hour flight, I landed at Highland and taxied up to the self-serve fuel pumps. First, there is no FBO at this airport – but you would not know it. One of the local pilots, came out, introduced himself, made sure I was O.K. with fueling the plane, and then helped push the plane to a parking spot. The airport building was aged but clean inside with very friendly people doing what most GA pilots do on a Saturday morning – telling flying stories or making plans to go flying. They had an honor system to purchase soda and snacks, which I took advantage of to ward off the hunger pangs. I am sure if I wanted more for lunch there would have been arrangements made to take [me] to a local eatery. One person even provided a piece of paper for me to copy my IFR clearance on when I realized I had left all my writing paper in my Bonanza. I left about 30-40 minutes after arriving, pleasantly surprised at this small yet thriving airport in souteastern Ohio – thriving because the local pilot population wants to make it a place that you want to visit. Low gas prices are a plus, [but] the friendly people make it a winner.
Keep those nominations coming. For complete contest rules, click here.
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
