AVweb's newest "FBO of the Week" is Golden Eagle Aviation at Moton Field Municipal Airport (06A) in Tuskegee, Alabama. Reader Billy Tyndall tells us how an unplanned stopover made Golden Eagle a standard by which other FBOs are measured:
On a cross-country flight in my Sport Cub from North Carolina to Arizona, I encountered adverse weather and landed at Moton Field Municipal Airport in Tuskegee, Alabama to wait it out. The rain which arrived took three days to pass, and during that time the staff at Golden Eagle Aviation made those days the most enjoyable of the trip. Sylvester and Minnie run the FBO with such personality and warmth that transient pilots immediately feel at home. They helped us with the standard FBO offerings, such as avgas, computer access, and coffee, and went further to see that we found the cultural and culinary assests of Tuskegee, which were many. When it was time to leave, Sylvester improvised an apparatus to preheat the cold engine in the Cub, even though the climate in Tuskegee doesn't normally require preheating engines. He went the extra mile to get us back in the air, and we'll remember his FBO for their caring actions!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Franklin Aviation at Macon County Airport (K1A5) in Franklin, North Carolina.
AVweb reader Gerry McCarley is a regular at 1A5 and vouched for Franlin's top-notch service in his recommendation of the FBO:
I visit Franklin Aviation several times a year. Their customer care and service are some of the best I have found. On a recent visit (over Christmas) the weather changed, and snow/ice was forecast. Without my asking, Neil and his people found space in their hangar and kept my airplane inside over that night. Their fuel prices are competitive, and with the new extended runway and GPS approach, it's one of the best places to stop.
Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Bighorn Airways at Sheridan County Airport (KSHR) in Sheridan, Wyoming.
AVweb reader Nick Tarasiuk recommended the FBO:
We arrived here on January 14, a cold windy night, [and] were guided in and greeted and tied down by Isaiah Bothamley. He pointed out an electrical outlet that we could use to keep our engine warm, then called a shuttle out to pick us up and take us to a nearby Holiday Inn hotel. He let us know that this particular hotel had special rates for Bighorn and got us an incredible rate. In the morning, when we arrived at the FBO, our aircraft had been serviced and was ready to go. All this was done with friendly smiles from everyone. Great job!
Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Thunderbird Aviation at Flying Cloud Airport (KFCM) in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
AVweb reader Mark Hegg told us about his recent visit:
Flew into Flying Cloud on a Friday in early December 2011. They were expecting me and promptly guided me to a convenient tie-down. I told them our departure would be Sunday at noon. On Saturday a snow storm brought six inches of snow and cold temps. I called them Sunday morning to inquire about pre-heat possibilities before our departure. They said, "Don't worry; we had extra room in our heated hangar, and your plane has been inside all weekend. No charge!" When we arrived, they were just pulling the plane out and helped us load up. Fuel was already done, as well. Fuel prices were very reasonable. Their service was always cheerful, helpful, and efficient. I guess it's true what they say: The colder the temperature, the warmer the people.
AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" is Orzel Aviation Services at St. Clair County International Airport (PHN) in Port Huron, Michigan.
AVweb reader Hella Comat explains how the Orzel team bent over backward to make a recent visit outstanding:
Sue and Rick at Orzel couldn't have been more helpful or friendlier. They were able to arrange overnight hangarage, accept a shipped parcel for me, find out about taxi services, and generally be as accommodating as possible on my recent stop there. Thanks so much!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Walker Aviation at Henry Tift Myers Airport (TMA) in Tifton, Georgia.
AVweb reader Cres Wise wrote in to explain who the FBO's owner went far above and beyond to help a traveling stranger:
My student and I were on a night cross-country (on a Friday night). On our third taxi back, we had a flat nose tire. The FBO was closed for the day, but there were phone numbers. Within a short time, Mr. Walker came and got our airplane back to the ramp. But then he opened up the facility and took care of us like family. He was over and above friendly and gracious. The next morning, his staff assisted our mechanic. The cost: zero dollars. The service: Priceless!! I'll be back to buy gas on future trips (during normal business hours).
"At an altitude of nearly 6,000, feet the service of this county-run facility is always friendly and very price-competitive," writes AVweb reader Andrew Heller.
AVweb reader Mac Forbes gives us the low-down on a top-notch FBO at North Carolina's Asheboro Regional Airport (KHBI) — Cardinal Air, recipient of our latest blue ribbon for exceptional service:
Their service starts with a friendly "welcome" on the CTAF and, unless they're very busy, a personal greeting on the ramp with an offer to pump 100LL for you — at the self-service price! Karen's team (Bobbi, Ben, etc.) make you feel as if you're the most important customer of the day! Right there on the field, also, Mr. Jeffers operates an excellent full-service avionics shop where convenience and cordial, competent service are clearly priorities, with everything from VFR TXP checks to full glass cockpit upgrades. And the North Carolina Aviation Museum is adjacent, convenient, and loaded with interesting aircraft and artifacts well worth a few hours for touring! HBI is a great stop and/or excellent destination!
AVweb reader Ron Huckins has our latest top-notch FBO recommendation this week -- U.S. Aviation at Denton Municipal Airport (KDTO) in Denton, Texas. Ron recently made the switch to USA. for his regular trips to the area and was surprised to discover that he's been missing out on a great FBO:
I have been traveling to Denton, Texas from Wichita, Kansas about two to three times a month! I had been using the other FBO until I found out that U.S. Aviation has better service and excellent 100LL fuel prices at full service — cheaper than the other FBO that is self-service! [U.S.] even offered to hangar my "old dog" 1958 Cessna 310 at no charge. Wow!
And this will be important again when I fly my 1951 Cessna 195 that is polished and would like it in a hangar. Darren, the line manager, was there late on Sunday afternoon working for one of his crew that called in sick! Now is that not a great guy to work with?! Even had decent prices on rental cars — and if you are a Hertz Gold Member, it is even better! Thanks, U.S. Aviation at Denton! I will be back!
AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" is one that held that honor back in 2010 -- Landmark Aviation at Asheville Regional Airport (KAVL) in Asheville, North Carolina.
AVweb reader Edwin Nass recommended the FBO this time:
The desk and line staff were very friendly and helpful and attentive to our needs. They offered assistance in the return of our rental car, getting our luggage to the aircraft, and [in] securing the aircraft for the duration of our stay.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Galaxy Aviation at St. Augustine Airport (KSGJ) in St. Augustine, Florida.
AVweb reader Joe Jenkina recommended the FBO:
When my wife and I flew in in our 182, we were greeted as if we were flying a jet. Kathy, Juan, and all the staff made sure our car was out on the ramp with the A/C on. Everyone we encountered from the Galaxy staff was courteous, and I recommend them to anyone flying into KSGJ.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Yelvington Jet Aviation Inc. at Daytona Beach International Airport (KDAB) in Daytona Beach, Florida.
AVweb reader Dave Gillespie nominated the FBO and shared his outstanding experience if memory of the FBO's manager, Mike Fuller:
We landed our helicopter and were met by a beautiful young lady marshaller, then picked up by FBO manager Mike Fuller and delivered to the front door to a waiting Suburban, whereupon we were given an escort around the airport to the entry gate by two Daytona Beach motorcycle policmen! We were even given a cell to call for our return trip. Mike's courteous and exceptional service was the best I've ever seen in over 35 years flying. He will be missed. He was unfortunatly killed last weekend in a T-34 accident. The FBO community and aviation as a whole has lost one of the best. Godspeed, Mike.
On the electronic nomination form for "FBO of the Week," we often hear about operators who made visitors in small planes feel as important and some VIP or another — but this week's story takes the prize. AVweb reader Bruce Riter explains how the Million Air location at Bob Hope Airport (KBUR) in Burbank, California rolled out the red carpet for him when they clearly had other visitors to attend to as well:
We arrived at Million Air Burbank in our Cessna single just before a Presidential visit. We received the same VIP treatment as the celebrity visitors with their private jets and the Marine Corps One flight crew and security staff. The line crew brought our rental car to the aircraft and loaded baggage on arrival and departure. On departure day, the plane was ready to go within minutes after the ramp security was lifted. Thanks to all at Million Air Burbank for an unforgettable experience!
AVweb readers don't always pick the best time to try a new FBO, and that was certainly the case when Ray C. arrived at St. Hubert General Airport (CYHU) in Montreal, Quebec. Despite a flurry of construction activity and business demanding attention, the team Pascan Aviation impressed Ray by making time to get him in and out of the FBO in style — and that's why they're our latest "FBO of the Week"!
Here's what Ray had to say about Pascan:
When I arrived at Pascan aviation they were enlarging their ramp, and there was lots of activity with the construction. I flew in with a C-150, and immediately I was greeted by two rampies who were helpful. One got my rental car, and the other fueled my plane. Julie the receptionist was so helpful; she got me a great room in a hotel downtown. Overall, [despite] the activity going on that day — there was also a Challenger on the ramp — I feel like I got the best service possible. The fuel price was great, and the ramp fee was waived with the fuel purchase. I will be going back there one day soon, that's for sure.
Cheap and friendly — words that are great to a pilot.
AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to a location that's had the honor in the past — Kissimmee Jet Center at Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) in Florida.
AVweb reader John Wilson explains why KJC is his destination of choice:
Small and friendly with service and prices that can't be beat, Kissimmee Jet Center is our spot when in the Orlando area! We call ahead, our rental car is sitting at a pre-assigned tiedown spot, [and] a staff member is right there to get us on our way. ... [When we return, it's] to a plane fueled with the lowest-cost gas around. How much better can you get?
AVweb reader Robert Inman discovered our latest "FBO of the Week" — Branson JetCenter at Branson Airport (KBBG) in Hollister, Missouri. Robert writes:
The initial service here was very courteous and professional. [My] aircraft was fueled promptly, a rental car was waiting on ramp, and all the paperwork [was] filled out and ready to go. When weather prohibited our planned departure, the people at Branson JetCenter went far beyond expectations in providing comfort to my wife and me, providing a courtesy car for lunch transportation and finally a rental car and hotel accommodations. The next morning, the aircraft was in front of the building at 0700, ready for our departure. These folks know the meaning of service!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Henriksen Jet Center at Austin Executive Airport (KEDC) in Pflugerville, Texas.
AVweb reader William Mills visited KEDC on a trip with his his daughter this summer and had a great experience:
Austin Executive Airport ... was nearly as conveniently located to where we needed to go as any other airport, and the brand-new facilities looked very nice and offered the services we would need. When we arrived (on a day that was already quite warm and promised to get much hotter), we were met on the taxiway by a "follow me" cart and led to parking underneath their large covered awning, just like the big boys. We were marshalled in by several linemen, and when we shut down and got out, our rental car was beside the airplane, running and air conditioning fired up. [Their] facilities are amazing, with a genuine Rolls Royce Olympus turbojet engine (from a Concorde) in the lobby. When we arrived back for departure, they took an air-conditioning cart out to the airplane and had it cooling down the inside -- definitely much appreciated. [The] entire staff was extremely friendly and couldn't do enough to make our stay as pleasant and comfortable as they could. Definitely will revisit [when] going back to Austin.
It's been a busy week for FBO nominations on AVweb.com -- but when all was said and done, we had to give this week's blue ribbon to Glacier Jet Center at Glacier Park International Airport (KPGI) in Kalispell, Montana.
AVweb reader Mark Fryburg had high praise for the staff and facilities at Glacier:
Best FBO service I've ever received in my 29 yeas of light aircraft flying. From my first e-mail to book a tie-down and rental car through ramp service and tourism advice, they constantly offered to help and promptly delivered on their promises. A three-man ramp crew greeted us to park, fuel, and unload our Debonair then load luggage in the car. The front desk staff was equally helpful. Everything was delivered on time and as promised. Everyone was courteous and friendly. And my non-pilot wife felt especially welcomed.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Atlantic Aviation at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (KGPT) in Gulfport, Mississippi.
AVweb reader John Hunt gave this location a stellar recommendation:
Incredible service! You would think I was pulling up in a G450 the way they treated us. We were met at the line by two extremely professional folks with a rental car, all paperwork filed out. Additionally, when it was time to leave, all my bills were in order, the plane was fueled, and they returned our rental car. I'd fly out of my way to use the services of Atlantic at KGPT!
AVweb reader Michael Davidson discovered Upshur while trying to stay ahead of Hurricane Irene:
[W22] was a large terrain feature away from the Delmarva Peninsula and listed good support facilities. I reached the line manager, Mr. Dick Bennett, who was very welcoming [both] then and when I called CTAF with landing intentions. He guided me to a better runway choice based on his observation and pilot background. He drove us to Enterprise Rent-A-Car just down the hill, waived the tie-down fee, and in general made us feel very welcome. I would recommend this destination for large numbers of regional coastal evacuees, not only for goodwill hospitality, but for ample ramp and hangar space, long runways, physical security measures, and proximity to ground transport and lodging.
AVweb's latest blue ribbon goes to the FBO at Capital City Airport (KFFT) in Frankfort, Kentucky.
AVweb reader Graeme Lang has been going there for a while and sung Cap City's praises:
Having been involved with this FBO for some time now, I have always seen a complete commitment to the highest in customer service and overall standards. Their manager, Jay Vedelli, has just recently retired, but I have seen no decrease in the service provided. They stay very competitive on fuel prices, have on-site maintenance, will run you anywhere you need to go in their van, and will do all of this with a smile! I highly recommend Capital City Airport in Frankfort!
AVweb reader William Lahners recommended our latest "FBO of the Week": Hammond Air Center at Hammond Northshore Regional Airport (KHDC) in Hammond, Louisiana. He writes:
We had such a great experience at Hammond Air, we had to nominate them! Erin Pierce, the owner, is one of the nicest and most professional people I have met. Erin is always on-site and truly runs the FBO like a family business. When the rental car company didn't come through, he loaned us his Escalade to use. Since they are brand-new (grand opening is in October) signage is not good yet, but they are on the west side of the field. KHDC, if you are not familiar, has an ILS and 6,500-foot runways and is jet-friendly.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Arlin's Aircraft Service, Inc. at Gallatin Field Airport (KBZN) in Belgrade, Montana (near Bozeman).
AVweb reader C. J. Costanti recommended the FBO:
We had just completed a couple days of fly fishing and visiting family in Bozeman, and while preparing to depart, our Baron developed a significant fuel leak. Naturally, this occurred after hours, when the maintenance staff had gone home for the night. Not only did line service tow us back to Arlin's hangar, but they contacted their mechanic and he was working [on] the problem within minutes. They turned a stressful and unexpected turn of events into a positive experience and outcome. The Baron was buttoned up and ready to go early the next morning on the ramp, and we completed our trip home. Many thanks and kudos to Alan, Clint, and all the folks we met at Arlin's. Great service on arrival and departure, clean facility, and, most importantly, great people. We'll be back.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to AvCenter at Nampa Municipal Airport (KMAN) in Nampa, Idaho.
AVweb reader Neal Wright recommended the FBO:
Car rental company promised a cr would be waiting on arrival. Got there, no car. AVcenter called [the] rental agency, [and] they said they had a comouter glitch and had no cars available. AVcenter gave us a courtesy car and said we could keep it for the four days if [the] rental agency couldn't find us a car. They called about four hours later and said the rental agency found a car for us. Fuel was reasonable, and [there was] no tie-down charge for the four days.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon does not go to an FBO — but to a flight school! Australian AVweb reader Steve Vette explains how Tailwheels Etc. at Gilbert Airport (KGIF) in Winter Haven, Florida make his recent trip to the States memorable:
While visiting Winter Haven, Florida, the wife and self were exploring from Dundee the area for local air fields. As we both are avid aviators, our interest is airfields and/or landing fields. We encountered a lady by the name of Kate. She informed us that her great great grandfather was one of the [founders] of this airfield. Suitably impressed with the credentials provided by the various people and staff, we decided to hire a Cessna 172 for an hour. When the aircraft was allocated and we strapped ourselves in, we went flying. The panoramic scenery (for us Australians) defies description! I have no hesitation in commending the staff and ground personnel for their services, their briefings, and [their] attention to detail. ... Our flight was a special memory for my wife and myself. I hereby would like to commend Tailwheels, Etc. flying facility for their sincere and courteous attention in all aspects towards both of us.
Word of a good FBO spreads far and wide — as evidenced by our latest "FBO of the Week," Carlson Aviation at Chan Gurney Municipal Airport (KYKN) in Yankton, South Dakota.
AVweb reader Bruce Robertson tells us how, in Carlson's case, you really can believe the hype:
After reading their profile on various web sites, I thought I'd make Yankton a stop on my way to Oshkosh. They were better than all reports, welcoming us and taking care of our every need. As we needed to stay the night, Katie Carlson took care of hotel and transportation details. She also loaned us the crew car so we could explore the area a bit. We liked Carlson so much, we stopped in again on the way out of Oshkosh. They are worth a visit.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Metro North Flight Support at Newton Airport (KEWK) in Newton, Kansas.
AVweb reader Andy Hill explains how Metro North made into our short list with a perk that's often overlooking — service for furry pax:
They are pet-friendly and will make sure your dog has water before they fuel your plane! That's why we will stop there again! Oh, and they have really clean bathrooms for humans, too.
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.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Yelvington Jet Aviation at Daytona Beach International Airport (KDAB) in Daytona Beach, Florida.
AVweb reader Ron Horton tells us how the Yelvington exceeded his every expectation last week:
Despite the "jet" in their name, Yelvington was extremely helpful as we flew our Cessna 182 from North Carolina to KDAB to watch the final space shuttle launch. We called all the FBOs at KDAB, and Yelvington alone answered with courtesy, efficiency, and a desire to help us make our trip easy. Their fuel prices were the lowest on the field; they handled us quickly on the ramp despite the bad weather; they shuttled us to the terminal to pick up our rental car; and the warm cookies inside were a bonus! When we were headed from the Cape to KDAB for departure, we called for them to get the plane out of the hangar — they got it out, but when the storm beat us to the airport, they put it back in the hangar for safety and rolled it back out after we arrived and the storm had passed. We will definitely take advantage of Yelvington's hospitality when we return to KDAB.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Bismarck Aero Center at Bismarck Municipal Airport (KBIS) in Bismarck, North Dakota.
AVweb reader David Yost brought BAC to our attention:
On June 23-24, I was part of a team in the Bismarck-Minot (North Dakota) area doing aerial imaging of the flooding. We operated from Bismarck Aero Center and KBIS. Upon arrival, we were promptly met by a lineman who showed us where to park and supervised our refueling. The plane was hangared for us overnight and promptly brought out for us the following morning. There were even red carpets by both doors! This facility is clean, modern, and well-equiped, and the staff quickly took care of all our needs. But what impressed me the most was that every employee I encounted was friendly and seemed genuinely happy to be there. When in Bismarck, go to Bismarck Aero Center!
While many pilots in U.S. and Canada were celebrating their national birthdays with family trip, AVweb reader Deb Price discovered the value of a good FBO when she made an unscheduled stop at Western Aircraft at Gowen Field (KBOI) in Boise, Idaho — our latest "FBO of the Week." Deb writes:
On Saturday of the July 4 weekend, the Cirrus SR20 we were flying developed a problem with one of its alternators. Melissa gave us bottles of water while she called around to find a mechanic — even if it was at a competitor! She lent us the crew car to get lunch while she waited for a response. There was no one around to look at our problem, so we decided to continue, since the weather was VFR to our destination. Melissa even waived fees, since we just stopped for a maintenance issue and didn't need fuel. She was friendly and professional throughout. What a good experience!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to PS Air at Eastern Iowa Airport (KCID) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
AVweb reader Edward Woodson sent us a stirring testimonial to the lengths PS Air goes for their visitors:
I was en route from 10C (Greenwood, Illinois) to GFZ (Greenfield, Iowa) and had [a] complete electrical failure. I was close to CID and landed at precisely 17:00. Upon parking, I told the line guy I had electrical problems and needed maintenance. He ran to maintenance hangar just as they were closing. Two mechanics came over immediately and pulled the cowling off to discover field wire broken to the alternator. They got wire and splicing and had the repair done in 15 minutes. [These guys] had me on my way in 30 minutes and refused any special thanks — and were pleased to be of help even after hours! My aircraft was a T-210, and the date was Friday night, June 17, at 5:00 PM. Great FBO.
Their professionalism and dedication to custoner service is especially noteworthy, including the line guy who ran to get them before they left. I have visited PS Air several times, and, every time, every member of the staff exhibited the same courtesy. One one visit, the owner drove me downtown because their courtesy car [was] not available and I had critical appointment. The customer is first at PS Air CID.
A nice courtesy car can often put an FBO on our list of favorites — but sometimes it's a little something extra that impresses an AVweb reader and moves him to nominate a facility. Joseph Barber explains how SilverWing Flight Services at Sandpoint Airport (KSZT) in Sandpoint, Idaho became our latest "FBO of the Week":
We've always found the folks at SilverWing to be friendly and helpful. This is not, itself, exceptional in Idaho — but in addition to a courtesy car (a massive, late-model SUV, not the usual '80s vintage monster sedan), [they have] bicycles. A great alternative for the short distance to town.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Dominion Aviation Services at Chesterfield County Airport (KFCI) in Richmond, Virginia.
AVweb reader Chris McClure was blown away by the top-notch treatment he received at Dominion:
On a recent trip to the Richmond area, I flew into Chesterfield County Airport, primarily due to convenience to the friends that I was visiting and the fact that, when I called ahead, the lady at the desk indicated that they would find a hanger where I could park my airplane (an Aviat Husky A1-B) for two nights. Storms were predicted in the area in the evenings, so I was particularly interested in putting the plane in out of the weather. When I arrived, the staff was very courteous and efficient, and the same lady I had spoken to earlier exhibited wonderful Southern hospitality, [having] located hanger space for me. The friendly staff made sure that the airplane was properly stowed in one of the corporate hangers on the field and carried my bags to the FBO where I had a friend meeting me. I mentioned that I would be topping off the tanks with 100LL before departure, and when I returned to head back home, the staff had already done so, [then they] helped me take my gear to the plane and pulled the aircraft out of the hanger. The FBO itself was clean and well-equipped, including the seemingly ubiquitous fresh popcorn machine. I will definitely return ... when I next fly into the Richmond area, and I highly recommend them.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Flightline of Dothan at KDHN in Dothan, Alabama.
AVweb reader Bill Johnson testified to the FBO's stellar service, from big things all the way down to the small:
On a recent business trip to Dothan, I had need of some ramp maintenance for my C310D. Thank goodness I had chosen Flightline of Dothan as my arrival point. Don Smith and his staff were friendly, very helpful and went way out of their way to take care of my immediate needs. When it became apparent that my requirement was beyond his local resources, rather than direct me to his other maintenance facility, Don contacted another facility on the field and made arrangments for them to help me. In today's cut-throat world, it is a rare pleasure to see cooperation and collaboration at this level with the customer's need always put first. If your travels ever take you to Dothan, please make certain to stop in at Flightline of Dothan. You will be glad you did. The people are the best, service is excellent, facilities are great, and the popcorn is perfect.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Kissimmee Jet Center at Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM) in Florida.
AVweb reader John Tunstall recently enjoyed top-notch service from touchdown to take-off at KISM:
[The] rental car pulled out to us on the ramp before I could even shut the bird down. (Unloading into an air-conditioned car in the FL heat was a blessing.) Upon departure, the same in reverse: We loaded the bird from the car on the ramp, and they drove it away. Excellent fuel prices and extraordinary service. Highly recommend.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Cox Aviation at Big Sandy Regional Airport (K22) in Prestonsburg, Kentucky.
AVweb reader Linda Langrill had no shortage of good things to say about this FBO she discovered on the way to Sun 'n Fun this year:
We got stuck in weather on our way down to Sun 'n Fun ... . The best thing that happened was that the nearest airport to our location was the Big Sandy Regional Airport (K22) at Prestonsburg, KY. We were greeted by FBO manager Gary Cox with a friendly smile and efficient, friendly service. The official airport kitty, Saltine, greeted us out on the ramp. The lobby of the FBO had just been remodeled, complete with a gas log fireplace, newly tiled restrooms, well-equipped flight planning room, and (most of all) friendly people everywhere we went. The restaurant adjacent to the FBO, the Cloud 9 Cafe, is worth flying or driving in to experience. ... Lauren, Mr. Cox's daughter, operates the restaurant. We ate there twice during our two-day stay in Prestonsburg, and on Sunday afternoon we had to wait in line. Well worth the wait. We have recommended this airport and FBO to every pilot we talk with. If you are on your way south or north, east or west, and if you get anywhere near this airport, plan to stop. You will not be sorry!
We often hear about great FBOs that readers discover during a trip, but AVweb reader Paul MacMelville reminded us how your local FBO can come through in a pinch and save the day when you're busy attending to other matters:
I had flown from Oscoda, Michigan to Minuteman Air Field in Stow, Massachusetts to visit my mother in the hospital before heading down to Virginia to attend my daughter's Air Force retirement ceremony. On Friday, we had a heavy wet snowstorm, and, needing to leave on Sunday, I decided to go out to the airport Saturday to check on the airplane and field conditions. The heavy snow had pulled the tail of my plane down to the ground where it froze overnight, and when it thawed in the morning the fiberglass tailcone stayed stuck to the ground, tearing out the screw holes in the fiberglass as the snow melted and the nose came back to earth. I brought the tailcone into [FBO owner] Bob Booth's shop and asked for help. He not only repaired the cone but reinstalled it on the aircraft while I was back at the hospital with my mother. He called and left a message on my cell phone telling me the bird was ready to go and there was no charge! He saved my trip!
It's been a busy week, but apparently a good one for AVweb readers who've spent some time in the air. We've received a hefty number of "FBO of the Week" recommendations in the last seven days and will be saving a couple of our favorite stories for future installments.
In the meantime, today's blue ribbon goes to Corporate Aircraft at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (KFAT) in Fresno, California, where Ray Stratton was treated like a VIP (a Volunteer and Important Pilot):
FAT is a common hand-off airport for Angel Flight missions from NorCal to SoCal. I had the SoCal mission as flight 2 of 2. I called Corporate Aircraft and asked if they would waive the ramp fee for both Angel Flight aircraft, both Ce182s. I told them I would not be getting fuel. They waived the fees, loaned me a crew car to get lunch, and cleaned my windshield of the swarm of bugs I found at 3,000 feet on approach. Imagine the service if I'd bought fuel!
Corporate Aircraft is my stop from now on when going to NorCal. They support the good deeds of the pilot community.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Cape Aviation at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport (KCGI) in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
AVweb reader Karen Austermiller found herself seeking shelter from the rash of spring storms at Cape just a few days ago:
Last week, between waves of the severe springtime storm pattern, we were on a ferry flight between Phoenix and Pontiac, MI and looking for a place to set down for the night. Having recently passed over a frontal line of developing puffies, we had hangar space at the top of the priority list. Checking the possibilities, it looked like Cape Girardeau might work, even though we both said we probably can't even pronounce it on the radio. (Dang Westerners!) Nevertheless, we stopped in, almost at closing time, and the remaining manager on duty scurried to find hangar space and move some stuff around to get the Cirrus tucked away for the night. Then he set us up with the courtesy car and got a hotel on the line (with a discount), and we were off for a wild evening of local bad weather observation. From the safety of a great 100-year-old building, housing a local fine restaurant called Molly's, we were fascinated by the sophisticated severe weather reporting that played out on TV all evening. Not at all like the tornado horn, run-for-the-basement-and-send-your-brother-out-in-an-hour-to-check stuff that we both recalled. This system is amazing, and it was a pretty interesting evening amongst a lot of really nice people. Cape Girardeau seems like a fine spot in nice weather, but they sure know how to handle the bad stuff in a way that makes visitors feel pretty darn safe!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to America Jet at SLN. As you've probably deduced, you can find them at Salina Municipal Airport (KSLN) in Salina, Kansas.
AVweb reader Jeremy Phillips recommended the FBO after his visit a couple of weeks back, when "the line and maintenance crew went out of their way to make our trip the best one we ever had. ... They went out of their way to make things really easy for us."
AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Atlantic Aviation at Philadelphia International Airport (KPHL). Terry Carlson recently visited the FBO and shared his experience:
I visited KPHL for a business meeting in the City of Brotherly Love. I flew in ... with some reservations, since my Bonanza A-36 was no match for the serious jet traffic into and out of the city. But it was a joy, starting with approach control through ground control. All [were] professional and treated my Bonanza as though we were the Airbus landing on the parallel runway. [T]he real surprise was at Atlantic Aviation. While it was not cheap, the service was exceptional. Stephanie and Mary Ann arranged a conference room for us and treated us as though we just arrived on an empty Gulfstream [and were] buying a full load of fuel. Rental car was arranged, and when I had to leave early because of an emergency, they had my plane fueled and ready right up front. While it is not inexpensive, I will definitely come back to Atlantic Aviation at KPHL.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Great Lakes Flight Centre at Windsor International Airport (CYQG) in Windsor, Ontario.
AVweb reader Jeff Lehman discovered the stellar service at GLFC on on his back from Sun 'n Fun:
We were just ahead of some unpleasant weather. (The tornado was long behind us!) As we headed north, we needed to find an FBO after hours so that we could clear customs. After several calls and being unsuccessful at several FBOs, we found Chris at Great Lakes Flight Center in Windsor, Ontario. Not only did he confirm reasonable fuel prices and customs availability, but he offered to stay late (over two hours) so we could arrive that night and stay ahead of the weather. Upon arrival, Chris cheerfully welcomed us and, after clearing customs, promptly fuelled us up and made hotel arrangements. After this, he offered to drive us to the hotel and then come back to tie down the airplanes. We insisted that we help secure the airplanes, and he drove us to the hotel before he admitted he still had to head back to do a few things. Chris and Great Lakes deserve recognition for great service and for going above and beyond.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Lake Texoma Jet Center at North Texas Regional Aiport/Perrin Field (KGYI) in Dennison, Texas.
A little common courtesy (not just a car) from LTJC impressed AVweb reader Daniel Dorgan on a recent unscheduled stop:
Flying a friend for his first flight from McKinney, Texas to the Sherman/Dennison [area]. My friend became airsick and needed a break from the airplane. This FBO provided a courtesy car knowing we would not be refueling there or having any repairs made to the Arrow. No financial incentive whatsoever — and yet they treated us with respect, as if we were a kerosene-powered aircraft providing a significant amount of revenue.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Gregg Flying Service at Animas Air Park (00C) in Durango, Colorado.
AVweb reader Paul Leadabrand discovered how great Gregg can be when, "flying a 100mph Kitfox after a considerably long day, [he found] mountain passes closed and strong headwinds." That meant Paul wouldn't be able to make the FBO until long after they'd closed, but he couldn't just camp out overnight; his schedule was too tight. Here's what happened next:
To get an early morning departure for another long day, we would need a hangar, fuel, transportation, lodging — and dinner. I was able to relay to another aircraft landing, asking them to ask the FBO to stay open for our arrival. That was the last conversation I had for the next hour. Upon arrival — after dark and with the temperature below freezing — we were warmly met by FBO owner Del Gregg. He immediately squeezed into an already full hanger, gave us his extra vehicle, made us a hotel reservation using his locals-only discount at a wonderful downtown hotel (with a wide variety of late-night restaurants). The following morning, arriving at the FBO, we found our aircraft pulled out in the sun, engine heater plugged in, and fueled. Not to mention low-price fuel (as compared to the nearby commercial airport), this FBO offered the warmest welcome and professional service I've ever had, even driving a $10 million jet.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Leavenworth Aviation Services, LLC at Sherman Army Air Field (KFLV) in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
"This is obviously a one-man operation (plus volunteers)," writes AVweb reader Denis Walsh — but sometimes one man can do more for you than a large operation. To wit:
We were met with complete cooperation and helped to get the courtesy car running so my son could drive to the prison to visit a friend. All this despite the absence of the FBO operator. His stand-in went out of his way to accomodate our no-notice needs. The very small terminal facility was the tidiest and best maintained I have seen [and is] worthy of being compared to the fanciest FBO. They had all the latest mission-planning equipment and free refreshments. A very pleasant surprise for me.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Rider Jet Center at Hagerstown Regional Airport/Richard A. Henson Field (KHGR) in Hagerstown, Maryland.
AVweb reader John Keller uses RJC on a regular basis and vouches for their dedication, year-in and year-out:
We have been a frequent customer of this fabulous FBO for several years, and their high quality service has never waivered! When the snow was three feet deep and the winds blowing 35 MPH and the temperature 10 degrees, the line and staff personnel were performing at the 110% level. We return on a regular basis because their attitude towards the customer is outstanding.
AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon is bound for North Bend, Oregon, where Coos Aviation at Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (KOTH) has impressed a couple of different AVweb readers in recent months. Jerry Bialoetz sums their commitment to customers up nicely:
Extemely friendy. Will go out of their way to help make your stay memorable and are not after the big bucks in your wallet, like other FBOs.
We're about to give new meaning to the term "fixed base operator"! This week's blue ribbon doesn't go to a business, organization, or building, but to a single individual — a woman named Betty Easley at Hawthorne Industrial Airport (KHTH) in Hawthorne, Nevada.
Brace yourself for what has quickly become our favorite "FBO of the Week" nomination, courtesy of AVweb reader Roland Lamer:
KHTH is a city- or county-owned airport that, with its very low usage, would likely never be able to support a for-profit FBO. They don't need to. They have Ms. Betty Easley. Betty is ... lives nearby [the airport] — everybody does in this very little city. Betty, though, has a two-way radio with which she is able to monitor HTH traffic. When she hears incoming traffic, she drives to the airport and normally meets the incoming traffic. She may start with a simple greeting such as, "I am the official airport greeter here at Hawthorne." If you intend to get fuel, she will probably hand you the static line. (She won't attach it to your plane, but she will hand it to you.) Anything you may need she probably has available to you. ... Need a car? She has three of them, just in case things get busy. If you use one of her cars, be sure to put gasoline in it for her. You see, these cars belong to Betty. She pays for the cars, she buys the fuel, and she'll never ask you for a single cent. Be sure and take care of her. She will invite you into the airport building, [where] there is snack food and a computer with internet capbability. If you are tired, there are a couple of cots. Television, refrigerator, couch with recliners — and yes, Betty pays for all of this. Betty loves aviation. When you are all finished with your reason for having flown into KHTH, with your approval, Betty will be standing somewhere parallel to your dpearting runway with a camera. She will take several pictures of your departing airplane and then e-mail them to you. There really is something special about seeing yourself in your airplane just as you have rotated.
By the way, if you are anywhere near the west central part of Nevada, you can relay a "hello" to Betty on 122.8. She loves to hear from her aviation friends.
Our latest "FBO of the Week" has actually held the honor once before — two years ago.
Bay Minette Aviation at Bay Minette Municipal Airport (1R8) near Mobile, Alabama makes a return appearance on our top FBOs list after getting high marks from AVweb readers in the intervening months. "Friendly staff, low prices, and plenty of runway," remarked Tim Hynes, before confessing, "I almost want to keep this one a secret!"
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Island City Flying Service at Key West International Airport (EYW) in Key West, Florida.
AVweb reader Neal Carbaugh told us how ICFS brought GA love to the airport last week:
EYW hosted their first ever Southernmost Open House & Aviation Review (SOAR) on February 5. This FBO donated fuel for the last remaining B-25Hs still flying in the world today and an original Eastern Airlines DC-7, neither of which would have been able to be there without it and both of which were the stars of the show. Additionally, they gave up one of their four rows for static display aircraft and waived their normal overnight fee. Most of all, their ramp controller, the girls behind the counter, and their maintenance guys handled the most number of aircraft ever in a single day and did so in superb fashion with favorable comments from many! SOAR was a big success, but [it] would not have been possible without Island City Flying Service!
Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Kenosha Jet Center at Kenosha Regional Airport (KENW) in Kenosha, Wisconsin — and while KJC was recemmended by a human reader, Warren Levin, we suspect the FBO is also popular with four-legged passers-through. Warren writes:
Over the last 18 months, I have done a dozen Pilots N Paws rescues and have used the assistance of Steve and Eric [at Kenosha Jet Center] to unload puppies and full-grown dogs. ... These two line personnel will meet me at the hangar and help me move the dogs to their new owners or rescue mission; they are always available to help and/or fuel. Marie, the manager, is always happy when they do assist, as she is also an animal lover.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to TacAir at Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (KAMA) in Amarillo, Texas.
AVweb reader Kenneth Oden tells us what happened when a short fuel stop turned into a potentially disastrous layover:
Our passengers were flying back from a Christmas holiday with a new two-month-old baby boy and didn't want to subject him to an 18-hour drive to Grandma's house. Our stop turned into an overnight stay when weather at the destination went far below our jet's minimums. The good folks at TacAir found us a nice hotel in town and arranged for transportation. The following morning, our cold, soaked Eclipse would not accept the local GPU and did not have enough battery power to start on its own. The linemen at TacAir towed us across the field to another hangar with a different GPU. Long story short: we would still be stuck if it weren't for Mike Ryan's team. Our hats are off to this professional team that worked on our problem for over an hour when there were several other flights leaving at the same time.
According to AVweb reader Ken Knopp, our latest "FBO of the Week" is a posh destination. Heritage Aviation at Burlington International Airport (KBTV) in Burlington, Vermont "is by far the nicest FBO I have ever visited," writes Ken:
Service was top-notch. Entire staff was very friendly and provided an impeccable service. Pilot lounge included a ping pong table and Wii. Separate rooms were available for flight planning. Additional rooms included a theater, sleeping rooms, and even a gym. I could easily spend more time at this quality FBO.
AVweb reader Bud Beaty is a frequent visitor to Baytown Airport (KHPY) in Baytown, Texas — and to hear him tell it, there's no better FBO in America to be our latest "FBO of the Week":
The manager (Charlie) is a corporate pilot (Citation V), and he knows how pilots and passengers should be treated. His lovely wife Kathy and all his great employees treat their customers like royalty. We don't ask for anything — they take care of our every need automatically including an overnight crew-truck for the pilot. Charlie has spared no expense transforming HPY ... into a showcase FBO, completely gutting and rebuilding a new FBO, building new hangars, expanding/renovating the runway, and implementing (through the FAA) two GPS approaches. All the while, he has kept the fuel prices the lowest in the area and among the lowest in the nation. They have one price (and that is for self-service), yet they always provide full service at this price. Charlie has also expanded the airport operating hours and published his personal cell phone number as the after-hours contact number. It is truly a joy to visit HPY.
Our latest "FBO of the Week" story may seem awfully familiar to readers coping with snowfall today. AVweb reader Anse Windham recently dealt with similar weather at Yadkin Valley Aviation, located at Elkin Municipal Airport (KZEF) in Elkin, North Carolina:
[Manager] Sandy Shore called to inform me that there was eight inches of snow on my Cessna. The tail was on the pavement, and the snow needed to be removed before the night's freeze so I could leave next morning. I could not get there, so Sandy removed the snow, placed the airplane in a hangar, and, next morning, towed it to the fuel pump and helped fuel it at the self-serve pump.
Hmm — you don't suppose Sandy would be willing to shovel some sidewalks for good old AVweb, do you ... ?
Lately, we've featured FBOs that AVweb readers have discovered far from home — typically in the midst of dealing with a mechanical or weather crisis. But this week, Cathy Myers shines the spotlight on Logan, Utah's Leading Edge Aviation, located at Logan-Cache Airport (KLGU), where "a cordial and welcoming atmospher [for] the local aviation community" never takes a back-seat to the FBO's "excellent service to all types of transient aircraft." How do they manage it? Cathy writes:
LEA has co-sponsored airport open house festivities and provided discount fuel to all participating pilots. They also organized and funded several cross-country fly-ins to the beautiful Flaming Gorge area in northeast Utah. These events provided camping, rafting, live music, dinner, and flying competitions. Safety, service and professionalism is always the goal [at Leading Edge] and has always been appreciated by those who stop in.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Burrows Aviation at Sheboygan County Municipal Airport (KSBM) in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
A little mechanical trouble goes a long way toward revealing the quality of an FBO. When AVweb reader Armand Bendersky "flew into SBM in my Seneca II for lunch at their excellent restaurant," he didn't realize he'd be facing a dead battery when he got ready to depart. Here's how it played out:
I called, and Rob came all the way across the airport riding a tug in sub-zero weather. [He] towed me to their main hanger and warmed and charged the plane. Rob and another young man couldn't have been more helpful. They had already arranged for a rental car in the event that I couldn't get the plane started and went above and beyond in service.
Armand already knew Burrows as a reliable destination for good food, but now he knows the service is top-notch, too.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Executive Air Transport at Muskegon County Airport (KMKG) in Muskegon, Michigan.
AVweb reader Alex Anderegg recommended the FBO for its "excellent service (baggage help, fuel, courtesy car, catering, charter services, etc.)" and told us the folks at EA Transport "deserve to be 'FBO of the Week' because of their deep commitment to great customer service and pilot training."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Eagles of America at Moultrie Municipal Airport (KMGR) in Moultrie, Georgia.
AVweb reader Larry King thought "Alan Mathis and his people deserve this recognition," and after reading Larry's account of his trip, we agree:
Upon my arrival at Moultrie on November 27, I was greeted by name by the lineman with an offer to refuel and place my plane in their hangar for my overnight stay. They had my rental car waiting on the tarmac, and when they felt they had delayed my departure the next morning, they insisted on giving me three quarts of Aeroshell Oil for any inconvenience. Even though I was flying a Cessna 170, I received Citation service.
AVweb reader Howard Schur discovered the value of a good FBO when he paid a visit to ProJet Aviation at Leesburg Executive Airport at Godfrey Field (KJYO) in Leesburg, Virginia recently:
I was arriving after hours (10pm), and they told me to take my time. I needed a rental car, [and] when I landed, Mike was there with flashlights to show me where to park, and the rental car was waiting on the tarmac. By the way, I have a Cessna 340, not a Gulfstream — but was treated like I had a jet.
AVweb reader Eve Cascella calls Space Coast Aviation at Merritt Island Airport (KCOI) in Merritt Island, Florida "the kind of FBO that I want to return to":
A friend and I recently flew my Cessna 172 to KCOI the day after their air show had ended and two days before the shuttle Discovery was scheduled to launch, so it was a busy time. I had an issue with one of my cockpit instruments, and the Space Coast maintenance department bent over backwards to get my problem fixed in a day. Ron and Don were friendly, courteous, and professional, and I was able to relax because I had confidence that they would take care of my plane. Vashti, who worked the front desk, made us feel welcome, and she was very helpful with car rentals and restaurant suggestions. Thank you, Space Coast Aviation!
AVweb reader Tim Stevens has a great destination FBO (and airport) to tell us about this week — Flying W Ranch Restaurant and Golf Course at Flying W Airport (N14) in Lumberton, New Jersey:
The Northeast Raider formation team is based there, and they provide the locals an air show every weekend all summer. ... [You can also expect a] car show annually and a cool bar overlooking a airplane-shaped pool. Fly in and get a lift to the adjoining golf course, [and] the hotel and catering facility are second to none. Worth a visit.
The AVweb staff has been pulling some late nights gearing up for the AOPA Summit in Long Beach this week, so we can identify with the manager of our latest "FBO of the Week."
AVweb reader Joel Cutler told us how Dave Fernald, the manager of Northern Aroostook Regional Airport (KFVE) in Frenchville, Maine "waited for me until midnight and was there at 04:45 when I returned to depart. He didn't even go home to sleep!" writes Joel. "Pumped my fuel, put my plane in the hangar, and couldn't have been nicer or more helpful. I'll go back just to visit!"
Now that's how you get to be named an AVweb "FBO of the Week"!
AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" is Hangar 10 at Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (KMKC) in Kansas City, Missouri.
AVweb reader Ken Denning put Hangar 10 on our radar, praising their "brand-new, state-of-the-art green facility with excellent customer service." Kudos to the staff, and check back with us next week for another top FBO.
AVweb reader Charley Valera discovered our latest "FBO of the Week" on a chow flight to the Massachusetts coast, where he and his traveling companions visited Marshfield Municipal/George Harlow Field Airport (KGHG) and got the royal treatment from Ann Pollard and the staff at Shoreline Aviation. Charley paints a vivid picture of the good time had by all:
Each of us [there were four airplanes on this trip] has to do a go-around as the winds are shifting. [Ann Pollard's voice] comes over the unicom recommending runway 24 instead of 6. Once down, she's there with an Aviationists Greeting. Happy to have us and accommodating, even at 6:00 PM. She has a van waiting for us with the doors open and ready. Ann takes a few group photos in their new beautiful FBO. ... She tells us to enjoy ourselves and to clear the runway of any deer or coyotes when we return prior to departing. When we get to the restaurant, they are expecting us. Ann made reservations for us with a view! Arriving back to GHG probably over gross from the wonderful fresh seafood, we drive around the airportt, only to scare away a herd of coyotes. The entire experience makes you feel like good family or old friends. A beautiful New England airport with top notch service ... truly an example of how to run an airport.
AVweb reader Charlie Tipton attended Edwards Air Force Base's recent GA fly-in on the Rosamond Lakebed — and while he didn't get us the proverbial "lousy t-shirt," he dropped a fantastic gift on us when he mentioned his trip blog in this week's FBO nominations. (In fact, we'd better stop reading and get back to work!)
Having visited 37 airports in 29 states on his cross-country flight to Edwards, you could say Charlie conducted his own version of our "FBO of the Week" contest. "There were other FBOs who are also did a super job," he writes, but "my personal, hands-down winner is" — drumroll, please — American Airports at Gen. William J. Fox Air Field (KWJF) in Lancaster, California.
Charlie writes:
Within minutes of our first meeting, manager Steve Irving gave me unsolicited complimentary hangar space to ensure that my [L-16A] warbird didn't get rained on with the unexpected storms that were brewing in the area the night before the big event. At the time, I didn't even know there was a potential threat, but it sure came to pass that night. He also provided personal transportation to a Lancaster hotel when I unexpectedly arrived the second time after weather forced me to return there following the fly-in — and he again offered the hangar space. His staff, including Mark, Rick, Ken and others, went out of their way to ensure that all my needs were met. ... They were available 24/7, and, no matter what shift was on duty, their service was uniformly consistent. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect was sharing in the aviation camaraderie that was pervasive throughout the operation and particularly evident at lunch or breaks taken in the wonderful Foxy's airport restaurant, where waitress Brandy and others quickly made me feel like one of the long-time regulars.
AVweb reader Bob Klee recently benefited from top-notch service at London-Corbin Airport (KLOZ) in London, Kentucky — and that's why we're naming the facility at L-C our "FBO of the Week." Bob wrote:
[I] called them to say I might not be able to get there before they closed on a Sunday night [and asked], if possible, could they leave a hangar open and keys to the courtesy car hidden somewhere for me. John stayed till I arrived at 7:30, led me to my hangar and helped me with my stuff! ... I've always had good service here, but this was above and beyond. [There are] always friendly, helpful people at this small airport, and they deserve to be recognized. They just flat understand putting the customer first!
Cris Methvin describes our latest "FBO of the Week" as "a quiet and picturesque airfield in rural Virginia where you will not find a luxury crew car or a maze of cubical crash pads." So what doesLawrenceville/Brunswick Municipal Airport have to offer instead? "A huge amount of coustomer service and great southern hospitality." Cris reports, "I was met by the president of the airport and the field manager, a warm greeting, breakfast, low fuel prices and great conversation. Very relaxing atmosphere and accomidating staff attended to my aircraft and made it a memorable visit."
AVweb reader Dale Davis discovered our latest "FBO of the Week" at Sugar Land Regional Airport (KSGR) in Sugar Land, Texas. "Beautiful interior design, multiple seating areas in stylish leather, a boutique gift shop, museum, clean restrooms and a full-service, friendly staff" put Sugar Land at the top of Dale's list, and his recommendations puts it at the top of ours.
AVweb reader Brian Stirm from Swift Enterprises recently spent some time at our latest "FBO of the Week" — Tradition Aviation at Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (KTRM) in Thermal, California.
As Brian's quick to point out, "A closed course world speed record was set at the airport by Smokey Young, his Reno race crew using Swift's new 100SF renewable pure hydrocarbon fuel." And the staff at Tradition? During Brian's stay, "Penny, Ann, Lynn, and crew went out of their way to support the effort. ... [Over] a three-day period, I observed many happy customers who received a great value and wonderful services with a smile from every Tradition employee," writes Brian.
AVweb reader Roger Vaughn discovered our latest "FBO of the Week" at Port Meadville Airport (KGKJ) in Pennsylvania:
Two weeks prior to Labor Day, I called Pennsylvania airports looking for parking and a rental car. No guarantees were made ... [until] I spoke to Mark at Port Meadville. He took my name and N-number and said, "I'll take care of everything; have a safe flight." [On arrival at KGKJ] a voice came over the radio saying, "Follow me; I'm in a blue Blazer by the taxiway. ... When I got out of my plane and met the voice on the radio, it was Mark, [who helped push our Cessna into] a brand-new hangar. He then gave us a ride to the FBO where he handed me the keys to a rental car ... [and let us drive] right up to the hangar to unload and depart for a relaxing vacation in a cabin by the lake.
I can't say enough about how attentive Mark was to our needs and the extra steps he took to make our visit an extremely pleasant one. Foul weather was looming for the first two days and then some strong winds blew through prior to our day of departure. We never had to give our plane a second thought, knowing it was safe from the elements.
AVweb reader Doug Latch pointed out that we'd given due praise to twoFBOs who stepped up to the plate when traffic was routed away from Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh at the beginning of AirVenture — but no one had given a nod to KOSH's own Orion Flight Services:
These people went well beyond normal. They treated me like I had a Gulfstream or Boeing business jet, and they knew from the start I was flying a 1966 Cessna Skyhawk. During AirVenture this year, parking was extreme and almost gone. [While] the other FBO was only accepting twins and jets, Toby Kamark took me and my Skyhawk and treated us like Royalty ... [then] he took as many people as he could to register for the show and returned. ... I was there after the show, and the level of service did not decline.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Montgomery Aviation at Indianapolis Executive Airport (KTYQ) in Zionsville, Indiana.
AVweb reader Brian Johnson tells us Montgomery is the cream of the crop in his region:
... [B]y far the best experience I have had with an FBO in my 18 years of flying. They are very courteous, helpful and responsive. I have been part of Eagle Flyers, their local flying club, for the past two years, and it has been a wonderful experience. Very well-maintained aircraft, reasonable prices, good availability and excellent service — this is the type of FBO that inspires current and future general aviation pilots.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Landmark Aviation at Asheville Regional Airport (KAVL) in Asheville, North Carolina.
AVweb reader Tahj Kraus told us about this Landmark location:
I spent three weeks coming and going out of KAVL. Initially I was hesitant to stay there, but thought I'd try out Landmark. Rebecca and Paul made my stay so enjoyable and comfortable that I ended up feeling like part of the family — a home away from home. Even though I'm just an avgas burner, they still made me feel like royalty!
Maybe it's the summer heat or the relentless thunderstorms, but a lot of AVweb readers took time to nominate FBOs for recognition here on our site this week. (And yes, we continue to hear from readers who had stellar experiences at KUNU, KMTW, and KRYV on their AirVenture trips!)
Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to WaCo Aviation at Goldsboro-Wayne Municipal Airport (GWW) in Pikesville, North Carolina.
Michael Davidson discovered the charms of WaCo when thunderstorms forced him to divert from his route recently:
I was met before the deluge on the ramp by the WaCo FBO manager, Doug Lancaster, with chocks, tie-downs, and an offer of fuel. Inside, I frequently checked the weather situation online and met local pilots as they stopped in to hang out. When Doug came back to pull in a scheduled home-based jet arriving before midnight, he stopped by the FBO for the sole purpose of bringing to me a pillow and blanket! ... All levels of flyers and craft would be comfortable here, and Doug knows how to take care of airmen — learned from his Air Force service as a senior non-com. This is the kind of service with a touch you write someone about!
Hey, we're someone! And we're always happy to spread the word about top-notch FBOs. Kudos to Doug and the crew at WaCo.
Last week, we told you how many of the FBOs nominated in our weekly contest were those pilots discovered when the weather forced them to divert from Wittman Regional Airport on the first day of Oshkosh. This week, we have another FBO that stepped up for those displaced pilots — Lakeshore Aviation at Manitowoc County Airport (KMTW) in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
AVweb reader Al Mathews was the first to tell us about the terrific service he and others received at Lakeshore on their way to OSH:
Curt Drumm and his Lakeshore Aviation team welcomed us and went out of their way to accomdate our needs. They quickly arranged for restrooms and showers, brought picnic tables to us, arranged for a bus to take us to AirVenture, and held a Wisconsin brats and beer barbecue for us! No request was ignored.
We heard from many readers who were diverted on their journey to Oshkosh this week and discovered other FBOs along the way. The most popular FBO we heard about, though, was Wisconsin Aviation at Dodge County Airport (KUNU) in Juneau, Wisconsin.
Jon Dean was the first to bring this FBO to our attention:
When over 190 aircaft arrived un-planned thanks to the closure of OSH for arrivals, Tim and his team (Mary and Josh) were truly amazing. They got everyone tied down, allowed us all to camp, got transport, helped with finding food — Domino's actually delivered to my plane on the far side of the field! — made coffee, and organised shower and head facilities. And with all this, they levied no charges at all, just the regular top off with gas! ... They then helped organize transport for all of us stranded there to get to OSH some 45 nm north.
The best part of this story? Most of the readers who told us about Wisconsin Aviation have already made plans to fly into KUNU next year as part of their AirVenture pilgrimage!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the FBO at St. Clair County Airport (KPLR) in Pell City, Alabama.
AVweb reader Randy Martin put PLR to the test when he decided to change his go-to airport for trips to Birmingham. Having already spoken with the airport manager (Larry), Randy expected thins to run smoothly when he arrived. What Randy didn't expect was an experience he called "Southern hospitality at its finest."
Upon my arrival, a silver van was planeside before the prop stopped spinning, and Heath [a lineman] ask me if I needed a ride to the motel. ... [After finding myself stranded at the motel later on, I reluctantly called Larry and asked for a ride.] Bill arrived at the motel within half hour and happily drove me over, offering several local attractions to visit my next time in, and would not take any money for gas — or even a tip. ... A very big thank you for all the guys at KPLR. I will definitely be back.
AVweb reader Craig Gill knows the importance of a good FBO and tells us how Aurora Aviation at McGregor Executive Airport (KPWG) became his FBO of choice — and our latest "FBO of the Week":
I have the choice of three local airports as my home base and chose KPWG because of the service I get from Aurora Aviation. I have a Lancair IV turbine that requires a special towing, and they always take extra care with my bird. If I have maintenance needs, they get to me as quickly as possible and get me back in the air.
AVweb reader Tom Snider recently had one one of those "when pigs fly" moments — and yes, you can bet that it happened at our "FBO of the Week," Pigs Can Fly Aviation at San Luis County Regional Airport (KSBP) in San Luis Obispo, California.
On a recent trip to visit our son ... in our old Bonanza, we found the airport under heavy construction and were told by ground control that their was a NOTAM (we missed that) that there was no overnight parking available. As we were discussing our options, line personnel from Pigs Can Fly showed up in their golf cart with a sign, "Follow me to free parking." We might as well have been a Gulfstream, as they parked us, fueled us and helped unload the plane and transfer us by cart to their very nice office/lounge with more very nice personnel. As we were preparing to leave, one of the owners asked if everything had been okay. I commented that everything had been great except they were out of Terminal Area Charts for SFO. (They were on backorder.) He climbed into one of their planes, got a chart from his own flight bag, handed it to me, and would take no money for it. If you are in San Luis Obispo, make Pigs Can Fly your FBO.
AVweb reader Robin Herrman discovered our latest "FBO of the Week" — the Medford, Oregon location of Million Air, at Rogue Valley International - Medford Airport:
I was planning a trip ... and called the different available FBOs for details on their services. I selected Million Air due to their 24-hour availablilty. I fly a C-182, nothing fancy, but I was treated like a millionaire (pardon the pun) with excellent ramp service and a wonderful pilot lounge with friendly staff during both my arrival and departure three days later. The little details were appreciated, like meeting us on the ramp upon arrival, tying down the aircraft, helping us with our bags, cleaning our windscreen before depature, and making sure we had bottled water. ... How nice to have customer service exceed your expectations for once!
The Cessna Pilots Society descended on North Carolina en force for their annual CPS Get-Together, and quite a few of them were impressed with the friendliness and efficiency of services at Oak Island's Brunswick County Airport (KSUT).
Dave Williams was the first CPS member to nominate KSUT, but he was followed by about a dozen others throughout the week who sung the praises of an FBO that "handled a whole flock of CPS fliers like it was an everyday event" (Daryl Medd), "wrote the book on hospitality and service" (Jim Epting), and offered "better services at their self-service pumps than most do at full-service!" (Ed Abrams). For his part, Dave told us how "Howie Franklin and his crew provided us with the best service and hospitality an FBO could offer. All of our wants and needs were handled quickly and professionally. Thanks, Howie!"
And that sounds like a top-notch operation deserving of recognition as AVweb's "FBO of the Week"!
AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" award goes to Redtail Aviation at Canyonlands Field Airport (KCNY) in Moab, Utah.
AVweb reader Joseph Barber discovered the FBO "near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks" and found the service outstanding. "We had a mechanical while spending the week hiking and were pleasantly surprised to find their mechanics quick and able," writes Joseph — adding that the rates were pretty reasonable, to boot!
AVweb reader Hella Comat told us why she'll be returning:
We attended an event at Olean this past weekend, and I can't say enough about the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff and volunteers at KOLE. The airport is a beautiful spot on a hill above town, and we were offered rides into town and back the next morning. Getting gas was a breeze, and the attendants were most helpful. If I'm in the area, I'd land here for sure, if only to say thanks again for the hospitality!
Maybe it's the summer vacation effect, but AVweb's "FBO of the Week" nominations basket is filling up with stories of great FBOs from the panhandle down through central Florida and all the way south to Palm Beach, where AVweb reader Wally Moran recently experienced "the best service I have ever had at an FBO." Here's the story of Wally's visit to Lantana, Florida's Windward Aviation at Palm Beach County Park Airport (KLNA):
This is a maintenance facility next to the FBO. I arrived in the late afternoon with a gear indication problem, and when Mr. James Leach, the owner, met me at the front desk, I explained that I needed to leave ASAP but felt the gear indication needed attention. He quickly moved another aircraft out of the hangar, moved mine in, assigned two A&Ps to the job, and jacked and checked the gear. Thanks to his fine service, I was able to depart on time and at a very resonable cost.
Here at AVweb, we love a good "above and beyond" story — and this week's spotlight FBO, Craig Air Center at Craig Municipal Airport (KCRG) in Jacksonville, Florida, has made "above and beyond" their motto.
Dan Karney tells the tale:
I stayed at Craig for a week visiting family in the area. While taxiing to depart, we noticed one of our main tires was flat. The linemen came out and happily towed us back to their FBO. (Where we stopped was literally the farthest point from their FBO.) ... [S]ince it was Sunday, there were no maintenance facilities open that day. They inflated the tire for me ... [but] when it would not hold any air, they called every maintenance facility on the field ... [then started] calling flight schools on the field. Their last option came through: A mechanic was reached that worked at Criag Air Center, and it was fixed at a reasonable price, in a reasonable ammount of time. I was extremely pleased with their service and helpfulness. I will definitely be back if I am in the area.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Sky Harbor at Craig Municipal Airport (KCRG) in Jacksonville, Florida. Here's how they saved AVweb reader Gerry McMunn's bacon a few weeks back:
After departing Winter Haven, we could not retract our gear on our Piper Arrow. We diverted to Craig Muni because of the maintenance facilities. ... Sky Harbor welcomed us in their beautiful office/pilot's lounge and connected us with Northeast Florida Aircraft Maintenance Inc., ... [who] immediately made space for our aircraft and got to work on the problem. John and Duane conducted an extremely thorough and professional investigation, found a broken wire, and repaired it. [They] got us underway within 2 hours — after having removed all luggage, back seats, and interior panels. Their fee was very reasonable. ... This was a very fortuitous stop at a very pleasant FBO and airport. We were under stress upon arrival, but quickly were made to feel welcome and treated very well. Terrific people — all of them.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to our old friends at JA Air Center at Aurora Municipal Airport (KARR) in Aurora, Illinois.
Recently, AVweb reader Mike Hayles visited JA's Aurora, Illinois location (Aurora Municipal Airport, KARR) and was impressed with the top-notch service:
I have based my survey aircraft at JA Air Center for the last week. Every day the service has been prompt, efficient, and cheerful — and the very competitve fuel prices take it to the top of my list of favorite FBOs.
We saw plenty of great FBO stories this week, but none that wowed us so much as AVweb reader Liza Kummer's story of above-and-beyond service at Danville/Boyle County Airport Board, located at Stuart Powell Field (KDVK) in Danville, Tennessee:
We landed late at night enroute from Penn to Texas and stayed at the fabulous Hampton Inn. The lady with Sharon's Car Service — Danville did not have taxis — waited an hour for us at the airport! It looked like we were going to be unable to fly the next day because of a scary-looking squall line with forecasts of hail. After thoroughly researching the weather, we were able to plan a path to avoid all those nasty orange and red radar echoes and decided to forge on before the squall line hit. It was raining now, and they retrieved my plane from the corporate hangar, filled the tanks at the self-service for me, pulled the plane close to the FBO to avoid getting wet, handed me an umbrella for my pre-flight, and gave us bottles of water for the flight. We felt like royalty.
Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the Pacific Northwest, where AVweb reader Calvin Wilkinson has been relying on the services of SpanaFlight for the last 25 years. Wilkinson spent eight of those managing the maintenance schedules of Civil Air Patrol craft in Washington state, and then (as now) he counted on SpanaFlight — located at Pierce County Airport (PLU) in Puyallup, Washington:
I have had considerable contact with the owners, receptionists, and mechanics (all A&Is) who are all consistantly knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. On a few occasions, when an emergency has arisen, a SpanaFlight mechanic has worked late or come in on a weekend to get a plane into the air. In my book, SpanaFlight deserves to be the "FBO of the Week" every week.
Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to First Flight Corporation at Brown Field Municipal Airport (KSDM) in San Diego, California.
AVweb reader Thomas Perkowski has seen their top-notch service in action and taken regular advantage of First Flight's first-rate facilities:
I have been renting a Grumman Lynx from First Flight for six months now. I am very happy with the service and the support offered by owner Tom Sarvis and his team. Occasionally, when issues with the plane pop up, Tom comes right out and gets it fixed so I can get my flying done for the day. They have great prices for avgas and fantastic quality for the price for repair services. If you are flying to San Diego, give SDM and First Flight consideration for handling things for you.
Duly noted, Thomas!
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday! Keep those nominations coming. For complete contest rules, click here.
AVweb reader Alejandro Galioto recommended our latest "FBO of the Week," Rabbit Aviation at KSQL (San Carlos Airport) in San Carlos, California. He writes:
This FBO is likely smaller than most due to the fact that it's a physically small airport with a 2,600-foot runway, but I bet it is busier than a lot of bigger FBOs, and with excellent efficiency and customer service.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Central Jet Service at Harrison County Airport (KASL) in Marshall, Texas.
AVweb reader James M. Knox described Central Jet as "just your ordinary small town FBO at a small airport — except that these fine folks simply fall all over you to be helpful. With more and more FBOs populated by tired attendants who may or may not acknowledge your existence when you arrive, these people are a breath of fresh air."
Laura Hoover made a routine stop at the airport "late on a Saturday afternoon to get our Virginia Aviation Ambassadors passbook stamped." The service she and her passengers experienced, however, was anything but routine:
We were greeted by FBO manager Melvin Vick. When we were about to depart, we found we had a very flat main gear tire. Melvin offered tools and help even though it was closing time, recommended a place to get dinner, gave us the crew car, and met us back at the airport after dinner with more tools to try to get the tire off. We used the crew car overnight to go to a hotel, and the next morning Melvin met us again to lend a hand. The FBO is spotlessly clean and and has everything pilots need. We highly recommended it!
AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" is one we're adding to our own charts — PAI Aero at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (KBTR) in (where else?) Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
AVweb reader Dave Beckwith calls PAI simply "the best" FBO in the area. Sure, they have great customer service and good prices, but what made Dave take a moment to nominate them as an FBO of the week was something we don't normally hear about FBOs: "There's so much to see! Especially the FW190 restoration project."
A World War II warbird restoration to check out and gab about while refueling? It's true — learn more and watch video here — and probably quite the attraction at KBTR.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Blackhawk Aircraft Maintenance at Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (JVL) in Janesville, Wisconsin.
AVweb reader Bill Foraker tells us how a good FBO is always there for you, even when you don't expect to need them:
I was there ... dropping off a buddy who had just purchased an aircraft. Upon my departure, I had smoke in the cabin of my '58 Comanche, so I returned quickly to the airport. Nick and Joe at Blackhawk are fabulous. They went right to work and corrected my problem, a small hole in my oil pressure line. They had me back in the air and home to Terre Haute that evening. ... If every operation was like this one, we would have a much better aviation community.
AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Atlantic Aviation at Republic Airport (KFRG) in Farmingdale, New York.
AVweb readers Jeffrey and Lisa Chipetine recently pulled some long hours flying rescued dogs to their new homes for Pilots N Paws — and the staff at Atlantic were more than happy to help in their journey. Click through to read their full story.
AVweb readers continued to travel the length and breadth of North America this week, sending us notes about the best FBOs they discovered along the way. Our latest "FBO of the Week" award goes to Above View at St. George Municipal Airport (SGU) in St. George, Utah.
AVweb reader Jaime Votaw tells us how Above View stepped up to the plate when her husband made an unscheduled stopover:
My husband flew in tonight after needing to land aftet battling weather all day. This was an unexpected stop in a trip to Salt Lake City. I called in at about 8pm and someone answered the phone. It was obviously after hours, and the person who answered offered to run up the airport and get my husband a crew car so he could get to a local hotel. Up until Justin answered the phone, I had no idea what to tell my husnad to do. They are always friendly there, but this was way above and beyond for them to do. Thank you, Above View — you guys are great!
This week saw more AVweb readers telling us about their favorite FBOs via our online nomination form — which makes us feel good about traveling around North America, but it makes picking an "FBO of the Week" a little more difficult. After some thoughtful consideration, we decided to award our latest blue ribbon to Starlink Aviation at Montreal, Québec's Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport (CYUL).
AVweb reader Keith McLellan is a regular visitor to CYUL and reports that he has "tried all the FBOs on the field," but he's now settled on Starlink as his homebase-away-from-home, "and for good reason," he writes:
Zoran Bratuljevic and his hand-picked staff of professionals are the best anywhere! The guys and girls at Starlink are very sharp, courteous, friendly, and truly sincere in their efforts to take care of your needs. [G]reat service, a nice facility with all the amenities you want, a well-trained and friendly staff, and competitive pricing for all services. I highly recommend them! Oh, and just FYI, how many FBOs offer a late-model BMW as a crew car?
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Rectrix Aviation & Aerodrome at Cape Cod/Southeast Massachusetts Barnstable Municipal Airport (HYA) in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
AVweb reader Vicente Collazo-Davila told us how Rectrix came to his rescue recently:
On preparing for an early evening departure, I was unable to turnover the right engine on my Navajo. The FBO tried to locate a mechanic at that late hour, but were unable to do so. They then offered to tow my airplane into their hangar at no cost to avoid frost and to provide a warm environment in the event that I was able to find a mecchanic. They went out of their way to make sure that I and my passengers were taken care of. This was no isolated event: I fly up there every 7 to 8 weeks, and the service is always outstanding. Jim the GM does an outstanding job of hiring and training the best personnel. From the linesmen to the ladies working behind the counter they are without exception totally dedicated to giving unparalleled customer service.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Banyan Air Service at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE) in Florida.
We knew AVweb reader Lindy Kirkland was volunteering with Haitian evacuation and relief flights — watch for a podcast with him in the next few days — but we were surprised to see his name in our weekly "FBO" critiques, singing the praises of Banyan Air:
Banyan Air Service in Ft. Lauderdale has donated hangar space, personnel, and fuel discounts to those participating in the Haiti relief efforts. Despite the very upscale facilities and their normal heavy iron clientele, they were so very courteous to us and got us fueled, moved, loaded and on our way quickly. All this despite getting ready for the Super Bowl!
Lindy went on to call the staff at Banyan "truly amazing" and commended them for their dedication to the relief efforts when there was plenty of other (more profitable) work to be done.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Airbound Aviation at Essex County Airport (KCDW) in Caldwell, New Jersey.
AVweb reader Mike Kenny described the FBO as "a hidden gem" in his comments and told us the team at Airbound took care of him on a recent trip into New York City. "The service was exceptional, and they also arranged minor service on our PC-12 on very short notice," wrote Mike.
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
AVweb reader Charles "Doc" Truthan told us how StarPort USA at the Orlando-Sanford International Airport (KSFB) is "providing fuel at cost to pilots with Angel Flight Southeast/Mercy Flight Southeast who are flying Haitian refugees ... to their Florida destinations." But that's not all:
[T]hey are [also] delivering the fuel to the aircraft at the terminal gate we are operating from, so the pilot does not have to spend time and fuel taxiing between the FBO and the pickup gate.
For their "outstanding service and American spirit," StarPort is our latest "FBO of the Week."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Aero Premier Jet Center at Lakefront Airport (KNEW) in New Orleans, Louisiana.
AVweb readers Bill and Linda Coltharp arrived at Lakefront under less-than-ideal conditions:
... [A]t night, in the rain and clouds, after the tower was closed, [we found] the Aero Premier angels waiting for us. They hangared our plane (not a jet), helped unload our luggage, called a taxi and had it drive into the hangar so we wouldn't get wet, [then they] helped load the taxi — all with genuine friendliness. When we returned two mornings later, as planned, the airplane was on the flight line all ready. Our special thanks to Bethany on the desk, and the extremely helpful Clay, Admond, and Rolando. What a great experience!
AVweb reader Rollin Wiggington took a chance on the FBO on a recent trip to Sarasota and was blown away by the service:
We go into SRQ often and thought we would try the new guy. [We were] treated like a Bizjet! [This is] the newest and nicest FBO I've been to, fuel was priced right, and they even gave us free tie-down for a week because we were first-time customers. We'll go back to Rectrix again and again.
With the holidays behind us, AVweb readers are criss-crossing the skies with their usual fervor once again — and telling us about the outstanding FBOs they encounter along the way. Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Business Jet Center at Oakland International Airport (KOAK) in Oakland, California.
Student pilot Erika Amir tells us why BJC is a favorite destination:
[T]he service can't be beat! They have beautiful facilities, and I'm always greeted with a smile. There have been many days that I've enjoyed a cold drink after a hot afternoon in the plane and have always been glad for the air-conditioned lobby. The folks who work the line are professional and friendly and are always willing to go the extra mile. I definitely recommend Biz Jet!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Georgetown Air Services at Sussex County Airport (GED) in Georgetown, Delaware.
AVweb reader Mark Galbraith had high praise for the staff and facilities at Georgetown:
I'm in my third year of flying regularly to GED for both business and pleasure, and the guys at Georgetown Air never disappoint. The large ramp assures parking is available. All requested services are done immediately and to high standards. Free long-term vehicle parking is available, as are several courtesy cars. Randy and Greg are like family, giving my daughters rides on the golf cart and, when I'm in on business alone, helping me with all of my belongings and airplane duties. I am always treated as well as the corporate jet folks.
See? We told you Mark gave them high marks all around!
Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Tango One Aviation at Falcon Field Airport (FFZ) in Mesa, Arizona.
AVweb reader Dick Stich brought the "super people [and] good service" at Tango One to our attention. If you'd like to see your favorite FBO recognized here, then take a moment to nominate them here.
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBOs in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday! For complete contest rules, click here.
AVweb reader Kenneth Breier told us about the FBO and its stellar services, including a courtesy SUV, jump school, long runway, great fuel prices, and brand-new facilities — not to mention great service from the folks who work there.
AVweb reader Armand Bendersky experienced the FBO's top-notch service just last week:
We had a flight of two arrive at ARB last Saturday ... [and] were greeted by a young but friendly and efficient line crew. ... They could not have been more helpful. Not only did they arrange transportation for the group of seven pilots ... [but] they put my plane in a hangar ... with a smile and great efficiency. They fueled our planes while we were in town gorging ourselves at Zingerman's Deli and gave us a 10-cent discount. Great service by nice people. I look forward to visiting them again in the near future.
Judging by the latest batch of reader nominations for "FBO of the Week," Florida is a hot destination this time of year. It seems migrating snowbirds are finding the warm smiles and friendly line staff as welcoming in the state as the pleasant temperatures.
To wit: AVweb reader Jesse Farr was recently diverted to Jacksonville Jetport at Cecil Field (KVQQ) in Jacksonville, Florida, and found himself enjoying the change of itinerary:
Thank you to Samantha Fowlkes of Jacksonville Jetport. We tried to go into KJAX and/or KCRG on the 19th, but both were hard IFR with them having some computer problems finding and/or keeping up with those supposedly already in the system that day. They sent us over to KVQQ where it was clear, no traffic, and a very pleasant experience in and out.
We were handled promptly and properly, with some of the greatest courtesy I have seen anywhere from approach, tower, and departure. Samantha outfitted us with a courtesy car and even programmed in a destination on the loaner GPS that went with it. Upon return, we were already fueled at competitive rates and were on the way out very quickly as well.
Facilities were some of the nicest, traffic was no problem, and everyone was nice, friendly, and pleased to see us. Needless to say, next trip to Jacksonville, we will probably go to KVQQ, even if we are going to northeastern Jacksonville.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Lebanon Aviation Services at Floyd W. Jones Airport (KLBO) in Lebanon, Missouri.
AVweb reader Bill Lanman stopped in over the holiday and tells us how LAS rolled out the Thanksgiving welcome for a weary traveler:
A full course buffet of homemade food and freshly baked pie made my stop at LBO a real treat — all for a small donation! Last year I stayed overnight, and they paid for my cab to and from the hotel. The pilot is truly king here! Great people and service. I stop here whenever in the area, and I recommend any pilot flying through do the same.
AVweb's latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to another TAC Air location, this time the one Lexington, Kentucky.
AVweb reader Melvin Price spent a little more time at KLEX than he intended and got to know the FBO well when his Piper Malibu's battery died just prior to departure:
The line man immediatedly brought the battery cart, but my battery was so low that it could not maintain the alternators online. ... The adjoining maintenance shop was contacted, and they offered to charge my battery for three hours. ... While waiting for the battery to charge, the ladies behind the counter offered me the crew car and directions to a good lunch spot. ... I was very impressed with the entire operation, and the best part was that I did not have to pay for the three different external starts nor for the battery charge, although I offered. ... [E]xcept for losing a few hours of time, my visit to Lexington's TAC Air was exemplary in all ways.
Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the facilities at Kansas Air Center at Manhattan Regional Airport (KMHK) in Manhattan, Kansas.
AVweb reader Wade Logan explained how KAC exceeded his expectations from start to finish while he was in Manhattan:
As I pulled into the ramp, I was immediately greeted by three line technicians: The first parked me, the second cleaned my windscreen before I even was out of the plane, and the third had a placed a purple K-State Wildcat rug at my door. The facility was top-notch (exceptionally clean), and the fuel prices are the lowest I have come across in a long while. The founder/owner is extremely courteous, and I even saw him cleaning some windscreens himself!
AVweb readers did a lot of traveling last week, and we heard about some pretty terrific FBOs. Topping the list is Hutchison, Kansas FBO Wells Aircraft, located at KHUT and recommended to us by Bill Lavender. Here's Bill's story:
Traveling to a trade show, the prop started surging. [We] landed at [the] destination, and the good folks at Wells stopped all work and pulled the aircraft into the shop. Realizing I needed to be back in the air the next day, my aircraft was put front in line, the prop governor replaced, and we departed on time. There were no overnight hangar fees, and the courtesy car took us to the hotel and picked us up. (Again, no fees.) We did not need any gas, so all was done [under the auspices] of good service to the customer. The owner greeted us at the door and waved goodbye as well!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the FBO at Beatrice Municipal Airport (KBIE) in Beatrice, Nebraska.
AVweb reader R. L. Saathoff told us how the crew at BIE took care of business on a recent visit:
The airport manager and staff are willing to help in any situation. While traveling to see my father who was hospitalized, I needed transportation. They provided a crew car for my entire stay and had my aircraft ready for me when I returned.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Montgomery Aviation at Indianapolis Executive Airport (KTYQ) in Zionsville, Indiana.
AVweb reader James Shobert does a lot of flying in the area and told us how Montgomery never forgets the little guys while serving all those executive jets:
I fly several aircraft in and out of KTYQ, but most often an LSA used to commute to work. [Montgomery] give[s] me the same service as they do someone flying a Lear or King Air. They really focus on customer service!
Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Bode Aero at Double Eagle II Airport (KAEG) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
AVweb reader Eve Cascella told us that, "in a nutshell, my experience with Bode Aviation left me feeling very well taken care of and encouraged to know that there are still people out there who go out of their way to serve." How did they do that for Eve? Here's her rundown of the visit:
A friend and I had made plans to fly in from St. Louis to enjoy the annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. I had called Bode Aero a month or so before the Fiesta to ask for advice on finding a hotel room; I was afraid I had missed my opportunity to secure a room during this busy week ... but got way more than I hoped for. Bode offered to make my room reservation for me, and they also reserved a rental car for me — both at reasonable rates. ... On the morning we departed, Bode had pulled our plane out of the tie-down area, and she was waiting for us up front by the FBO. Departure was a breeze. However, I realized somewhere in central Kansas that I had left my cell phone somewhere at Bode Aero. I should have guessed: Renee had already found it, determined it was mine, looked up my home phone number in St. Louis on the internet, and left me a voicemail there saying that she would mail me my phone if I would please call to confirm my address. How much more can you ask for?! Thank you, Renee, Nikki, and all the others I can't name for helping to make our stay in Albuquerque such a pleasant memory!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to AirFlyte, Inc. at Westfield-Barnes Airport (KBAF) in Westfield, Massachusetts.
AVweb reader James Labrie recommended brought AirFlyte to our attention with this tale of stellar service:
AirFlyte's lineman professionally guided us to parking and literally provided us with a red carpet treatment, a genuine smile, and a giant umbrella to shield us from the light rain. We were quite impressed with the beautiful FBO in the brand new terminal building. ... Our children immediately entertained themselves with the Wii and giant flat screen TV. ... I was most impressed with the courteous and prompt service I received, in a spotless new facility. The rental car agency and excellent dining experience all in one building added to my satisfaction. I would definitely recommend AirFlyte to all pilots. They treat a C-172 pilot as importantly as an executive jet pilot. I absolutely will return to AirFlyte.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Five Star Jet Center at Barne Municipal Airport (KBAF) in Westfield, Massachusetts.
AVweb reader Tim Stevens told us how 5SJ keeps 'em coming back for more with great prices and that old pilot favorite, free food — "burgers and hot dogs on the patio while we overlook the fueling on the ramp." Tim says "great hospitality and superior facilites" make this a must-stop destination when you're in the area.
Reporting on your favorite FBOs is usually a feel-good occasion, but this week we found a story in our inbox from one couple who had to rely on an FBO as their lifeline when they encountered a terrible situation while traveling. Bryan Liang explains what happened and how Pacific States Aviation at Buchanan Field Airport (KCCR) in Concord, California helped him cope:
My wife and I flew to CCR, hangared our plane with PSA, and borrowed its crew car. During our stay, we were carjacked. I suffered broken wrists and head wounds, and my wife spent eight days in ICU and twelve days in hospital literally fighting for her life.
The PSA folks were our main support the whole time. They came to the ER with flowers Saturday night. On Sunday they rented, paid for, and delivered a rental car to the hospital for me. They paid for my hotel, waived fuel/hangar fees, waxed our plane, talked with me daily, and then drove us 1.5 hrs to a commercial flight home. All because it was the right thing to do.
PSA's generosity and kindness lifted a heavy burden from us. They cared. Words cannot describe how much they opened their hearts to us and helped us feel we weren't alone. We are deeply grateful for all Greg, Shari, Jennifer, Marcy and the line guys did for us. They represent the best in aviation and the best in human beings. They deserve to be not only "FBO of the Week," but of the year, of the decade, and of the century.
As much as we love stories where a pilot discovers a great new FBO because of an unplanned (and often maintenance-related detour), we've featured quite a few of those as "FBOs of the Week" lately. This week, turn our attention instead to an FBO that was nominated by one of its regular patrons. AVweb reader Peter Lehnen laid out the benfits of Monadnock Aviation at Dillant-Hopkins Airport (EEN) in Keene, New Hampshire on their first anniversary:
Beth and Rick Bendel, who started their business one year ago today, have single-handedly revitalized the Keene airport. I just returned from one of their bi-weekly free cookouts, where many people fly in and many local pilots get together. They sponsor safety seminars, lectures, comunity outreach, and comfortable and functional facilities for transient pilots. The improvements they have brought are too numerous to list, but the city of Keene and the pilots in the area are far better off than at any time in the previous ten years that I have used this airport.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the FBO at Henderson Executive Airport (KHND) in Henderson, Nevada.
AVweb reader Michael Gibbs explains how some things that happen in Vegas don't stay in Vegas — they end up on AVweb as beaming accolades:
As I pulled into a transient parking space at Henderson airport, a van pulled up before I had the engine shut down. Before I got out of the airplane, it was tied down, and the driver [of the van] was asking if I needed ground transportation. "A cab to the strip would be nice," I mentioned, noticing that my luggage was already in the van. At the terminal, I was pleased to learn that they'd fill my O2 bottle for less than half what I'm charged at home. I came out of the restroom to find the cab waiting, and I was on my way. When I returned to the airport, the plane was topped off, the O2 was filled, and they gave me a lift back to the plane. A warm welcome, a friendly, helpful staff, beautiful facilities — heck, even Las Vegas approach rolled out the red carpet. What's not to like?
"Have you ever had to argue with a mechanic over the price of a repair?" asks AVweb reader Dean Herrington. You probably have, but it almost certainly didn't go like the conversation Dean had with a mechanic at Callaway Aviation at Big Bear City Airport (L35) in California:
I had departed about 3:00 in the afternoon and quickly developed an electrical problem that necessitated a return to the airport. I was guided to the nearest repair facility, Callaway Aviation. The only mechanic available, the owner, Brad Callaway, was very busy across the field supporting the warbirds that were about to depart, so I had about a 1.5-hour wait. When the courteous Mr. Callaway arrived he spent over an hour troubleshooting, doing run-ups, troubleshooting some more, then finally recommending that we experimentally replace my one-year old battery with one of his used ones, just to see if we could fully eliminate my battery as a culprit. His used battery immediately cleared up the problem, and further tests and run-ups confirmed that it was completely solved.
When I asked for the bill, he said "Oh, that's OK."
I said, "No way, I've got to pay you for your time and the battery." After considerable pressue he finally agreed to accept $50.
How can this guy stay in business? Unless, of course, he has a large, loyal following of grateful customers, like me. My flight home to Vegas was an uneventful pleasure.
And that, AVwebbers, is why Callaway is this week's very deserving "FBO of the Week"!
There's nothing like firsthand experience when it comes to planning a route with great FBOs along the way.
AVweb reader Joseph Barber had been to this week's top FBO, North Star Aviation at Ravalli County Airport (6S5) in Hamilton, Montana, two years ago and remembered the positive experience:
I first discovered North Star ... when making an ice run during an especially hot camping trip in Moose Creek. The FBO was unusually friendly and helpful then. This past week, during another back country stay, I discovered a maintenance problem and limped in to Hamilton on a Friday afternoon. Herman, the A & P, efficiently took care of the problem and sent me on my way, at far less cost than I was anticipating. The following Sunday, on our way back home to Seattle, we stopped for fuel to discover the owner hosting a pancake breakfast.
This is an unusually friendly and capable FBO, as helpful to back country campers as it is to the turboprops and jets it services.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Griffing Flying Service at Sandusky Airport (KSKY) in Sandusky, Ohio.
Sometimes a great FBO can surprise you when you're not expecting to find one. AVweb reader Josh Johnson was on his way to Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky when he discovered Griffing. John confesses:
I was initially a little disappointed when I saw on the wall that there would be a $10 landing fee and a $25 parking fee for my Cessna 172. I thought I had arrived at another of the fee-happy FBOs that seem to be popping up everywhere. What I didn't realize is that this fee also included transportation to and from Cedar Point at no charge for as many people as we could fit into our airplane. Suddenly, instead of moaning about what would likely have cost us $80 for a round trip taxi, we're getting not only airport services but also dropped off and picked up at the front gate of the park! I think this is one of the best values out there, and part of the fees are waived if there is a fuel purchase!
We did have a little problem: When we arrived there wasn't room for everyone in their full-size van, as several aircraft had arrived at once. Not a problem. Mr. Griffing himself gave us a ride to the park in his van — and it was his day off! All in all, an excellent experience!
Our latest "FBO of the Week" was suggested by Luc Premont and the gang at Dream Aircraft, who discovered Jamestown Aviation at KJHW on the way to AirVenture. Luc writes:
On our way to Oshkosh from CZBM (Bromont, Québec, Canada), we decided to go south of the Great Lakes because of bad weather. We stopped at Jamestown Airport for fuel and an update on the weather for our next leg. Leonard J. Nalbone, the general manager, was busy like a bee with a few small jets and crew to take care of — but even as busy as he was, this guy took the time to breif us on the weather that was coming, which was pretty bad, gave us the opportunity to put our two Tundras in a hangar, and even helped us push them there. After all that, he gave us a car so we could head downtown for a meal ... . What a great way to be treated when you get down to the USA from Canada! This guy is a giving us a good reason to fly in the US.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Carlson Aviation at Chan Gurney Municipal Airport (KYKN) in Yankton, South Dakota.
AVweb reader Steve Wolf stopped there on his way to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh and made it a planned stop on his way back:
Not ony did they have the cheapest fuel around ($3.50/gal), but they fed all the transient crews for free — Sloppy Joes on the way out and hot dogs on the way back! (They ran out of their 100 lbs. of Sloppy Joe meat.) I think YKN was the second busiest airport in the world last week. I need more thumbs — "two thumbs up" falls way short.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Royal FBO at Silvio Petirosi in Asuncióon, Paraguay.
AVweb reader Fabian Miño brought Royal to our attention, noting that "since there are very few FBO services in Paraguay, I believe the competition is much tougher. ... Royal FBO has made great efforts to be one of the few really high-quality FBOs in Paraguay today."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the TAC Air location at KTXK in Texarkana, Arkansas.
Whether you're one of those folks who consider Texarkana a Southern city or one of those who consider it part of the West, AVweb reader Craig Gill reminds us that the real issue is whether that famed hospitality extends to traveling pilots. As it turns out, it does.
Craig writes:
I have a Lancair IVPGarrett turbine. It requires some special handling for towing and fueling, [and] the line guys were awesome. There was fresh iced tea and cookies in the lounge. The facilities are really nice, and the flight planning area is very well-equipped.
It's not just the little guys struggling for attention who provide great FBO experiences out there. This week, AVweb reader Ron McCormick tells us about Waynesville-St. Robert Cities Aviation, serving Fort Leonard Wood and the surrounding Missouri community.
"They are the only FBO on the field but do no act like it," writes Ron. "The manager was very helpful in negotiating this military/civilian airport ... and helped carry luggage in loading and unloading the plane. ... If you need to go to Ft. Leonard Wood or are in the St. Roberts/Waynesville area, stop in at TBN; it is easy to in out of the miliary base [if] you just show your driver's license."
AVweb reader Marcelaine Lewis has this week's top FBO, Duffy's Aircraft at Marshfield (Wis.) Municipal Airport (KMFI). Marcelaine writes:
If you're well enough to fly, yet sick enough to need to go to the Marshfield Clinic, Duffy and Jeff Gaier will greet you on the ramp with a smile, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and "hometown hospitality." If your clinic appointment is short, they will even let you use the courtesy car. (And if you have to spend the night, within a short walking distance is the Clearwaters Hotel, owned by another aviation enthusiast.)
Last week, the Cessna Pilots Society held their annual fly-in at Spearfish, South Dakota, bringing over 50 Cessnas to bear on today's "FBO of the Week," Eagle Aviation.
We were flooded with comments from pilots who attended the event, many of whom told the tale of an overwhelmed FBO pulling off the near-impossible without breaking a sweat. Apparently the FBO offered a special rate on fuel to attendees and were johnny-on-the-spot when it came to assisting pilots with their tie-downs, serving up tasty barbecue, keeping the facilities "spotless" in spite of the crowds, and (according to one attendee) even resolving some issues with a rental car company on pilots' behalf. Jeffrey Chipetine writes, "A full ramp coupled with a full field of airplanes didn't faze them in the least. ... No matter what we needed (including such odd things as a PA system), Eagle came through for us."
Congrats to Laurie, Ray, and all the rest of the crew who got name-checked in this week's nominations. There's no doubt you guys worked hard to earn a nod as AVweb's "FBO of the Week"!
AVweb reader Jacquelyn Balish explains how the KSPA FBO staff went above and beyond to bring a smile to her face:
I fly with very young children by myself. This really can be challenging upon landing. I have a plane, kids, and luggage to deal with. The personnel at this airport jump right in to help. They take the children and luggage, [then] take kids to play while I secure my plane. They are Johnny on the spot. On one trip, the birds decided that my plane was a great toilet. [As soon as] I drove up, the plane was being washed for me at no charge!
P.S. The children love all the people at this airport.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Ideal Aviation at St. Louis Downtown Airport (KCPS) in Cahokia, Illinois.
To explain why Ideal is so great, we need to invoke a couple of very similar acronyms: First up is NIFA, the National Intercollegiate Flying Association, which held their 2009 SAFECON event in May, and second is NAFI, the National Association of Flight Instructors, whose Executive Director Jason Blair visited Ideal during SAFECON. Jason writes:
During the last two weeks in May, Ideal got "bombed" by over 100 aircraft from 30 university flight schools from all over the country. Ideal allowed the [SAFECON] competitors to park their aircraft across their ramp, and provided fuel and maintenance services to schools that required it. (Western Michigan University brought 2 Cirrus SR-20 aircraft to the event, one of which suffered a small alternator issue during the course of the week. The mechanic from Ideal had the issue rectified, and the aircraft tested and returned to service within a matter of hours.)
When I arrived to attend the final banquet, not only was a ramp space waiting for me in front of the building, but I didn't even have to put my plane in it. I parked in front of the door, and their capable line staff put my plane into a spot later and fueled it for me.
Ideal Aviation showed a great amount of patience, support, and help, to all of the students, advisors, and coaches who attended the 2009 SAFECON event. They deserve a huge round of applause for their amazing efforts during a time in which they were swarmed ... not only the company owners and reception employees, but the two line gentleman that choreographed a safe, efficient, and safe ramp environment, as well.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Lane Aviation at CMH in Columbus, Ohio.
Apparently AVweb reader Josh Johnson didn't get much exercise on his visit to Lane, but he seemed pretty happy with that:
We were in town for two days of business meetings in a nearby hotel. Immediately after landing, we were met at the door of our airplane by a friendly line guy ... . We were planning to take the hotel bus to our hotel; however, the line guy insisted on taking us there himself! He also said that they would gladly pick us up after our meeting and drop us off at the plane. We arrived for departure and found our airplane a decent walk across the ramp, [but once again] the line guy dropped us off at the door to the FBO to use the restrooms and file our flight plans. When we walked out to go back to the plane, he motioned us to get back in the van for a ride back to our plane! Excellent!
By the way, we arrived in a Cessna 172, and they were taking care of a large jet for a celebrity at the time we arrived. We certainly felt special getting such excellent treatment!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to First Aviation Services at Teterboro, New Jersey's KTEB.
AVweb reader Stan Ross tells how he and his Lifeguard transplant flight team "were treated like VIPs from touchdown to take-off":
"Outstanding customer service" is truly an understatement for the quality of service, level of attention, and extremely detailed efforts to meet and/or exceed our every need. ... We arrived near midnight, and the team at First Aviation was absolutely the best I have ever seen in every regard. I eagerly look forward to a return visit for more of their great hospitality and suggestions for local amenities like the Meadowlands Diner. Top shelf in every respect.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Fairfield Air Ventures at Fairfield County Airport (KLHQ) in Lancaster, Ohio.
AVweb reader Bruce Sturt recommended the FBO after spending a little more time in Lancaster than he'd planned:
The family and I flew into Fairfield County Airport to visit my in-laws for a Sunday afternoon. We were going to fly back to Toledo in the evening, so I left my 182 on the ramp. A few hours (and hamburgers) later, some t-storms started moving in. My brother-in-law drove me to the airport to secure my bird, but when I got there it was not in sight. Then I saw Steve Slater, the airport manager, and he told me he had put the old girl in a hanger for the night. I thanked him and asked him how much I owed him, and he said "not a dime." I will now always look forward to visiting the in-laws and my friends at Fairfield Air Ventures in Lancaster, Ohio.
We love to hear stories about FBOs going above-and-beyond to make things happen for pilots and their passengers, and our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Utah Jet Center at KLGU in Logan, Utah, where "above and beyond" are just another day at the office. AVweb reader Bruce Spencer tells the tale:
My wife and I ... landed at Logan for the evening, and I noticed that the left brake was inoperative. We taxied to the Utah Jet Center where a ramp attendant guided us in to park. He asked about out flight and then asked what they could do for us. I explained that we needed fuel, would like to have the brakes looked at, and that we were looking for a place to stay in Logan for the night. ... [H]e immediately called a mechanic, offered us a very nice courtesy car, gave us some bottled water, and called three different hotels to check availability and get us a corporate rate. Before we left for the night he gave us the cell phone number of the mechanic and asked for ours so that the mechanic could contact us. He said they would top off the tanks and tie the plane down for the night.
About an hour later, we got a call from the mechanic explaining the brake problem, the cost to fix it, and telling us that he would fix it that night and that the plane would be ready in the morning. When we arrived back at the airport at 7:30 am the plane was fully fueled, the brakes were repaired and the plane was ready to go. ... We were 100% satisfied with our experience with the Utah Jet Center at Logan airport and would highly recommend them to anyone flying into Logan or stopping there en route to another destination.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Greenwood Executive Air at KHFY (Greenwood Municipal Airport) in Greenwood, Indiana.
AVweb reader Bill Foraker recently gave the Greenwood team lemons and was delighted with the lemonade they served up:
I needed to recon the area for family reunion planning, so I flew in ... to scout the area for hotels, golf courses, shopping malls, and all the other things the family members require. I taxied onto the FBO ramp at 6:50 — they close at 7 — and went inside to meet the friendliest and most helpful guys ever! I needed 100LL, a car, and I wouldn't be back until after they closed — no problems. The line guy refueled the old Comanche right away, and I got the info inside, paid, got the car keys, got directions, got a layout of the local area, got the plan for returning the car, and even got much of the info I visited to get. In fact, I almost could have gone home simply after talking with the FBO guys! It was a great experience, and I'll go back to Greenwood in a minute.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Century Aviation at George W. Bush Airport (KGWB) in Auburn, Indiana.
AVweb reader Joe Kobiela recommended the FBO:
Lara (a CFI) and her husband Tony (an A&P) took over a rundown FBO and have worked hard to make this a great alternative to Fort Wayne. With a 5,000-foot ILS runway and competitive fuel prices, charts, headsets, and warm cookies, these two have put their future into aviation and have shown Hoosier hospitality to all who land.
"It's easy to look good when things go smoothly," writes AVweb reader Jim Wholey, "but Jet Air [at KSEE in El Cajon/San Diego] still looks good when problems arise." Jim explains the stellar service that makes Jet Air our "FBO of the Week":
I arrived [at Gillespie Field] early in the evening but after rental car agencies were closed. Due to a mix-up on dates, I did not have a car waiting. The staff at Jet Air patiently investigated various options and were able to arrange a temporary loaner car. But more significant, they proved their high level of customer service to me! (Thanks, Missy.)
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Magnolia Aviation at Eaker Field (DUA) in Durant, Oklahoma.
AVweb reader Laura Stephens, of Nolan Avionics, had plenty of great things to say about Magnolia:
The Airport manager is a very caring and sweet individual. He would do anything for you and doesn't mind going above and beyond the call of duty. Although Durant's terminal building is old ... Dwayne keeps it nice. His father and brother are the mechanics on the airport, so if you have any problems, they are always there to help. Also he helps out the local Avionics shop by allowing their overflow to be stored in the community hangar at no charge. If Nolan Avionics ever needs a plane moved, he jumps right on it. The airport is home to a local University flying program, and so the traffic is heavier than normal at a small airport, but he handles it with grace and professionalism.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the FBO at Mexico Memorial Airport in Mexico, Missouri (KMYJ).
AVweb reader Jim Smith told us how the staff at KMYJ don't take trouble lying down:
I stopped at the Mexico Missouri FBO to visit Zenith aircraft next door. I inadvertently left my master switch on during my stay and, of course, had a dead battery when I returned. The FBO manager stopped what he was doing to help me. He first brought out a battery on a two-wheel hand cart, but the batteries wouldn't turn over my C182. He then attempted a hand prop, but the compression was too much. A few calls, and he found a 24 charger. He brought the charger and some tools. He took off the plate and literally climbed inside to place the battery clips. After about 10 minutes, the airplane started. He then re-installed the plate and sent me on my way. Jay (employed by the city of Mexico) would not take any money and was genuinely glad to help. Very rare service indeed in these modern times. KMYJ has become a must-stop for me in the future, if only to support a real aviation server.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Atlantic Aviation at Elmira/Corning Regional Airport (KELM) in Horseheads, New York.
AVweb reader Sandra Fox recounted her stellar experience at Atlantic:
My commercial instructor and I flew to KELM for my day dual cross-country (and lunch). ... On arrival, there was someone there to marshall us to parking and someone else to chock the wheels. They immediately asked if we needed gas and were on the way to the truck before we were inside the FBO. While registering the plane I mentioned we had been told the terminal had a small restaurant. The lady behind the desk pulled out the keys to the courtesy van, gave us directions to the terminal and told us how to get the parking ticket validated. When we got back I asked where I could look up the weather. She didn't just direct me down the hall, but escorted me to the room. Everyone at the FBO was friendly and accomodating. They were proactive in asking if I needed anything rather than waiting for me to ask first. I've already recommended KELM as a standard cross-country destination for the flight school.
Judging by this week's "FBO of the Week" nominations, many of our readers have had some very pleasant (and successful) trips this week. Thanks to everyone who nominated an FBO, and please — keep telling us about outstanding FBOs you encounter in your travels.
Chris Archer sang the FBO's praises, telling us about their "great service ... good instructors ... [and] best aircraft in Hawaii, hands down." (Chris regularly rents a Cessna 172SP with G1000 from FSH and tells us he's "never had a flight cancelled for maintenance.")
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Tri-City Aviation at KTRI in Kingsport, Tennessee.
AVweb reader Jonathan Butkovic recommended the FBO:
I was in Bristol for the NASCAR race, and Tri-City Aviation was the FBO on the field, so I parked there. They were helpful, friendly and very cost-friendly. ... I loved it and certainly will be back next time I go to the races!
We visited SheltAir on another pilot's recommendation, and Robert and Miguel [at SheltAir] lived up to their reputation. [They] totally impress[ed] us with VIP service, fair parking and fuel prices, an over-the-top welcome, and friendship!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Eufaula Jet Center at Weedon Field Airport (KEUF) in Eufaula, Alabama.
AVweb reader Bill Johnson made an unscheduled stopover at Weedon Field to fuel up and "wait out some ground fog" when he discovered the FBO, much to his delight:
What a lucky break for me. Not only did I meet some of the nicest people in aviation at the Eufaula Jet Center run by Eric Langham, [but Eric also] took care of the airplane, helped us keep our appointment on time, and, when we returned to the airport, my associate and I ate lunch at one the best country buffets in the South, right there on the airport. If your route takes you near Eufaula, I highly recommend you take advantage of their service and hospitality. If you are looking for a place to go, I hear the fishing is great, and, if the airport is any example of the rest of the city's hospitality, I'm certain you will be well taken care of. As a businessman, I know the value of good ambassadorship, and Eufaula, Alabama has one of the best in Eric Langham.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Griffing Flying Service, a family-owned FBO at Griffing-Sandusky Airport (KSKY) in Sandusky, Ohio.
AVweb reader Joe E. Greene rents a hangar at Griffing and had plenty of nice things to say about the facilities:
They offer charter services to local Lake Erie islands, including also have two King Airs and other aircraft. They continue to struggle with the existing economy, [but] are very profesional and dedicated.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the FBO run by the city of Great Bend at Great Bend Municipal Airport (KGBD) in Kansas.
AVweb reader Chad Crow recommended the FBO, telling us about their "great hospitality, attitude, and all the amenities you could as for." Plus, Chad tells us the fuel prices ain't bad, either ... !
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Bay Minette Aviation at 1R8 in Bay Minette, Alabama (near Mobile).
AVweb reader Al Airey tells us he "actually had to go back and research the 'FBO of the Week' archives because I could not believe they had not previously been recognized":
[I] had to stop in both directions between Texas and Florida because of the pleasant service and fair price. The all-girl line crew make this a must-see FBO, and the facilities are first class, as well. You can do a quick turn, but you will probably want to stay and chat with the staff and maybe purchase one of their newly available photo calendars. This has to be the most unique FBO in all of aviation. The spacious facilities are spotless, prices are the best in the Mobile area, and did I mention the gorgeous crew that makes this a most memorable fuel stop? You should consider a wide deviation in your routing if needed to make a fuel stop at this amazing FBO.
We have to admit: This is the first nomination we've seen where the line crew drew 'em in and the prices brought 'em back ... .
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Million Air's facility at KALB in Albany, New York. AVweb reader Victoria LeBlanc brought this location to our attention, noting how the staff treats everyone as if they were a VIP guest.
We appreciate your opinions and recommendations, so please continue to tell us about great FBOs you visit throughout North America by clicking here and filling out our nomination form.
Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Peak Aviation Center at KCOS in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Out of all the great FBO stories you've submitted in the last couple of weeks, this one knocked a bit of the winter chill from our hearts and reminded us of why we love certain small FBOs. AVweb reader Nick Ruemker calls Peak "one of the best FBO operations I have encountered":
The service is always top-notch, and the staff is always prepared to help in any way possible. The owner, Pat Carlile, even took his own time to do a checkout with me. It didn't even seem to bother him that the only time I could do the checkout was at nearly 8 p.m., [when] it was pitch black. However, the service and hospitality are by no means the most impressive part of this operation.
Pat has founded an organization which both gives back to the local community and serves the general aviation community. It is called High Hopes For Teens, and their mission is to assist special needs, physically disabled, and disadvantaged children as well as children with parents killed or wounded in combat. It is a non-profit organization funded from a very small FBO. They teach these kids about aviation and how to fly. ... This is a program that can change these children's lives and keep them out of trouble, all the while giving them the opportunity that many of them would never have been able to dream of without Peak Aviation Center.
Pat, as well as his co-owner and director, Allen Mathews, are a true inspiration of what flying has given many of us and an excellent example of how we should all strive to give back to this wonderful community. I hope you will look at their link and spread the word about this wonderful organization.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the center at West Plains Municipal Airport (KUNO) in West Plains, Missouri.
AVweb reader Jim Vick recommended the FBO after several top-notch visits to the facility:
[E]ach experience is the same, with terrific hospitality and service. A phone call in advance will get a courtesy car waiting (even after hours), and, if needed, after-hours assistance with fueling. A great place to stop for fuel or a few days of stay.
Due to IFR weather along my route from SAC to ABQ, I spent an extra two days at Boulder City, Nevada. The FBO, Star and Stripes Air Services, not only delivered me to and from the motel, but [they] made sure I joined them for a very nice Thanksgiving dinner at the FBO office. Sandi, Debra, and Toni all were great and made my unexpected stay a very memorable one!
AVweb reader Claudia Huber confessed that she stopped at Desert Skies "because of the cheap fuel," but was surprised by the hospitality:
Our first stop was at the wrong place, but there was no problem to get the fuel truck from Desert Skies to our parking. Inside the building, there were free coffee, donuts, popcorn, and much more for free for pilots. As a Swiss pilot usually flying in Euorpe, this was a wonderful arrival. Nice, helpful, friendly people, smiling all the time. Great!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to an FBO that's taken the honor once before, back in 2007.
AVweb reader Daniel Stegeman recommended Blue Bell, Pennsylvania's Montgomery County Aviation this time around:
[This] is not a fancy FBO. However, every day of the week — rain, sun, wind — you will be greeted with a smile as soon as you land. They will be at your plane asking how they can help and what you need. I fly in and out of KLOM often ... and every arrival is the same: first class service without exception. From mechanical issues to fuel or directions, [these guys are] always helpful. ... It's not uncommon to have good service at many FBOs, but ... Montgomery County Aviation should be your "FBO of the Week" because they do it right all the time.
Duly noted, Daniel! We couldn't agree more, and that's why MCA gets a second nod from AVweb as this week's leader of the pack.
Santa makes one final delivery for the holiday season, awarding AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon to Epps Aviation at KPDK in Atlanta, Georgia.
AVweb reader Steve Shrum has the story of how Epps saved his Christmas:
I was delivering some very special cargo to Peachtree on Christmas. The cargo included a mother, father, son, and daughter who otherwise would not have made it back home to visit with their family over the holiday. We had to wait out a long line of severe thunderstorms that stretched from Canada to Mexico. After the delay, we arrived in Atlanta just shortly after midnight. Little did we know that our batteries had made their last start. The kind folks at Epps Aviation were incredibly helpful — most specifically, Lymen Fisher. He didn't seem to mind when getting a call at 2 in the morning. He made the one-hour drive to the airport to help us with a battery change at 4 in the morning. The time for us went extremely fast as he kept us laughing with flying and mechanic stories that he had accumulated over the years. Needless to say, he is the sole reason I made it back to northern Arkansas with five minutes to spare to save my Christmas morning. In my opinion, this is yet another Christmas miracle. Thanks, Lymen!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Galaxy Air Services at Lone Star Executive Airport (CXO) in Conroe, Texas.
AVweb reader David Hertz described a nightmare lay-over in Conroe that was made a little easier by the dream team at Galaxy:
We were on our way east, heading towards New York when terrible weather saw us landing at Lone Star Executive in Conroe, Texas. Little did we know how fortunate this choice would be. ... Held in by a two-day ice and snow storm — the Houston natives kept telling us "it never does this in Texas" — we enjoyed terrific hospitality and use of a courtesy car ... . Two days later, the weather cleared and [when] we had said our thank yous and goodbyes , we went to launch, and the starter in the airplane failed. Five minutes after hearing our story (and certainly surprised to see us again), the mechanics at Galaxy were tearing into the airplane to get us on the way. ... [One UPS delivery and another night in Conroe later,] we launch, but Houston approach said our radios were unintelligible. Turning around was the last thing we wanted to do, but Galaxy put us onto their avionics neighbor, Avionics Unlimited. ... The crew car having been given to another crew and unavailable, David and Nancy directed their son to "give them Grandma's car" (a beautiful Lincoln Calais). So we spent one last night in Texas, while styling along in a luxury ride. These fine people went far out of their way for complete strangers. We couldn't have felt more welcome or accommodated. Every effort was to ensure our comfort during this unintended stopover. Giving us Granny's car to drive was just completely over the top. Being native New Yorkers, we were very impressed by "hospitality Texas-style" as shown us by David and Nancy of Galaxy Air Services. In our eyes, they earned "FBO of the Week" and did so many times over.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Pecos Air Center at KPEQ in Pecos, Texas.
AVweb reader Jeffrey B. Chipetine called the FBO "a terrific stop on the way home to New York from California":
[I] called in on Unicom (45 miles out from 13.5K) as dark was falling fast. Was answered immediately and was told they'd be open when we arrived. Was offered a handshake, help with bags, tie-down assistance, and a courtesy car before I could say "thank you." ... These folks know how to make weary travelers feel welcome and wanted. Add me to the list of Pecos Air Center fans.
Didn't realize we were keeping the list, Jeffrey, but we've pinned it to the virtual AVweb bulletin board and added your name!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Don Davis Aviation at Henderson County Airport (KEHR) in Henderson, Kentucky.
AVweb reader George Samara recommended this week's winner, writing:
This airport team goes out of their way to please and accommodate a visiting pilot ... [everyone from] the girls on the desk, Christa and Sarah ... [to] the manager, Nancy, who stay[ed] late one evening to make sure my passenger got his rental car through the security gate to load equipment and to make sure we got off OK ... [to. the line personnel ... [who] help[ed] chock and tie down the plane. They volunteered to put the plane into a heated hanger when it iced up overnight and did not charge for it! This FBO makes you feel inportant and well taken care of, including a well-equipped flight-planning room with a personal computer to use!
We've heard quite a few nice things about Batten Airport recently, but one of the earliest comments came from AVweb reader A. M. Radel, who wrote:
The fantastic service that I experienced at KRAC should be used as a benchmark for every FBO across the U.S. The professionalism and low fuel prices made me a believer that there is still pride and personal care in aviation companies. Don't be foolish and overlook this FBO if [you are] able [to visit them]!
This week, we stretch the definition of "FBO of the Week" just a tiny bit to allow for a nomination we couldn't resist. AVweb reader Abbott de Rham couldn't say enough about his experience at Palmetto Aviation Repair on St. Simons Island, Georgia (SSI). While he gives high marks to the local FBO (Golden Isles Aviation), it was his diehard praise of the team of PAR that made this nomination stand out.
We tried trimming Abbott's story down a bit, but the feeling of warmth and (quite appropriate) Southern hospitality is best appreciated in his blow-by-blow account of the visit, which you'l have to click through to read in its entirety.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Triangle Aviation at KLEE in Leesburg, Florida.
AVweb reader Dave Wilson had a top-notch experience there recently and wrote to share the details:
[Owner] Neil Fisher was on the ramp to assist in parking my Bonanza; his friendly and courteous attitude was a welcome change for some of the FBOs, where, if you are not a turbine-powered aircraft, you are treated with indifference. The lineman, D. J. Alexander displayed the same courteous, helpful attitude in helping with a courteousy car and local telephone business numbers, along with topping off the fuel tanks with 100LL; the price of the fuel was the lowest I have seen in the Southeast U.S. at $2.95 (for both full service and self-service) with an additional discount for Angel Flight pilots. Receptionist Bristy Jones, while being very busy, was also extremely efficient and courteous; her being there assisted in making this stop a very enjoyable experience.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Volo Aviation at KEFD in Houston, Texas.
AVweb reader Brian Hunnell recommended the FBO for making an Angel Flight go as smoothly as possible:
I called the folks at Volo Aviation [during preflight, and] ... they informed me that 100LL would be $3.75 (normally $3.95) and if we needed "anything" they would accommodate us to the best of their ability. Landing 10 minutes after closing time, we met Buddy Roberts, the mid-day and night manager. He gave us a ride to the hotel, where the patient could relax. This was the patient's first experience with General Aviation (along with his slightly nervous wife!). Thank you to all who helped and made this a success.
AVweb reader Mick Collins told us about the FBO last week:
We had a group flight (eight planes) land at KWMC ... for an overnight. Buster and his crew performed flawlessly in supporting all our various needs and wants, even loaning us his personal car to run folks into town. (We had already commandeered the courtesy van!) I highly recommend anyone looking for top-notch service and the chance to meet some good folks stop in at Winnemucca Flying Service!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Western Aviation Services (WAS) at Rafael Hernandez Airport (TJBQ) in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
Almost all of this week's nominations came from pilots who experienced Hurricane Omar evacuations firsthand and made it through with the help of outstanding FBOs and careful planning — but the fact that Western Aviation was nominated by a group of some 30 pilots at various airports ("TJSJ, TJIG, TJAB, TSTT, TSTX, and others," according to the form) made it stand above the rest. So did AVweb reader A.B. Ravelo's rundown of everything the team at WAS did for the GA community. Here are some of the highlights of A.B.'s account:
The panic button hit all regional aviation as the storm had projected winds of 105 mph. ... Mr. Ruben Hernandez, owner of Western Aviation Services, and his team went into high gear and offered hangar facilities free of cost to over 60 aircraft and ramp facilities to another 20. BQN controllers saw over 100 flights in less than four hours, as King Airs lined up on the downwind for Runway 8, behind C-150s and others. Overnight, the storm's easterly track pushed it out of range, and it became a non-event. However, the Good Samaritan spirit of WAS and their staff are ... [the reason why] the folks at WAS are your first friends when traveling into the Caribbean USA.
AVweb reader Skip Weld has been there twice and found them to be an outstanding FBO on both visits, going "far beyond what a normal good staff would do":
They have offered to stay late or open after hours ... [even] offering me the code for the pilots room so I could wait out bad weather in comfort. When I was too tired to fight bad weather, they made sure I got into a reasonably priced hotel at a good price, made sure I knew where to eat, and picked me up the next morning and brought me to the airport. All because I filled up with fairly-priced self-serve gas. (They also have full serve.) It is clean and neat [and] doesn't have gold-colored fixtures in the bathroom! ... I will be back every time I am going to the Homestead race track.
AVweb reader Jim Thomas recommended the FBO for exceptional performance "amid the hubbub of NBAA":
Despite nearly 500 aircraft on static display, the great crew at Showalter are still delivering high-quality service with a smile. All fees are waived with a minimum fuel purchase, even as little as a gallon! Showalter has hosted EAA Chapter 74 since the new terminal was built and also provides facilities for the Orlando Youth Aviation Center's "Introduction to Aviation" class series for kids 10-16. I've always found them to go above and beyond on any request. Bob & Kim Showalter run a class act.
Not all great "FBO of the Week" recommendations start with a mechanical problem, but sometimes it's just such a problem that makes an AVweb reader realize how important good support can be when something goes awry during a trip. Case in point: Jim Dunn recently found himself repeating a maintenance misadventure that had befallen one of his buddies and decided to handle it the same way, by seeking help from the staff of Northern Sky Air Center at KCOE in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
I was hundreds of miles away when a Bonanza owner told me how Jay lent him a mag to get his sick Bonanza home. My experience has been the same. Jay Burdeaux and all the staff at Northern Sky Air Center always treat me like I'm a long-lost friend. They have great prices, experienced staff, and will greet you with a smile that extends from Idaho to Louisiana.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Jay and the staff of Northern Sky.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Tunica Air Center at UTA in Tunica, Mississippi.
AVweb reader Steve Spinney did his research before a 600-mile flight and learned about the FBO online:
I started by checking out their web site and also called and asked a few questions on the phone. This place is building quite a reputation for rolling out the red carpet for their customers; big or small, they can do it all. The facility is as nice as the people that run it. ... One attendant even took my picture by the airplane for me. I base out of Fort Smith, AR and I have to say we have a first-class FBO with TacAir, but you can't get a hamburger with your fuel. The cafe at Tunica has a great burger and some sandwiches made with Boars Head Deli products. So fly to Tunica — there is lots of runway and amenities!
Mmm — Boar's Head! Thanks for the recommendation, Steve!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to an FBO at Warrensburg, Missouri's Skyhaven Airport (KRCM) run by the Department of Aviation at the University of Central Missouri.
AVweb reader Ryan Sanders gave the location his hearty recommendation:
I cannot say enough about this FBO. I get great service every time I come into Warrensburg. Although students run the University's FBO, they really are a great bunch. All ... are extremely passionate about aviation, and they pass this on to their customers. They are quick on fuel, and the prices are the best in the Midwest.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Galaxy Aviation at KSUA in Stuart, Florida.
AVweb reader Adam Green recommended the FBO:
Enroute VFR and had to divert to Stuart due to weather. Galaxy's line guys were ready to greet us, and promptly helped us out of our Cessna and refueled. Inside, Vanessa and team were as friendly as can be and offered my girlfriend and Milo (the dog) coffee, popcorn, and dog treats. ... They even loaned us a car with a GPS, and gave us a list of local restaurants with directions so we could run out and grab a bite to eat. When we returned, we had a few hours to kill and their HD Satellite televisions in every corner were great entertainment. We even moved into the pilot's lounge where they offered us pillows and blankets, and gave us fresh popcorn to munch on. Thanks, Galaxy; this was a great FBO experience. Can't wait to come back!
Traveling AVweb readers have recommended many FBOs to us this week. If you'd like to see your favorite FBO spotlighted here next Monday, recommend them using our online form.
Our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to McDonald-Gregory Aviation at Danville-Boyle County Airport in Danville, Kentucky.
AVweb reader Richard Grindal made an unscheduled visit last week:
Far from home and way out of my comfort zone — and experiencing engine trouble — I precautionary-landed on Monday, September 5 (Labor Day). The owner of the FBO arranged a car and called the mechanic that night. With an overnight and the chief mechanic dropping everthing (including work on a Cessna 414) to work on my lowly experimental Cub, I was quickly on my way again — thankful for the hospitality and expertise on the mechanic work, as well as the reasonable price for everything. Thanks again to Tim and Shane!
AVweb reader Steve Cronje gave the FBO "a big thumbs up" for going above-and-beyond to correct an honest mistake. While visiting the FBO, Steve received a fuel bill that he thought was a little high, and after returning home, he began to wonder if the lineman had overcharged him or if (perhaps more worrisome) someone had breached security and stolen a bit of his fuel. Here's the rest of the story, in Steve's own words:
Imagine my pleasure when I received an unprompted letter from Stout Flying Services today. It apologized for accidentally overcharging us for 40 gallons of fuel when we refueled. Apparently, the fuel meter had not been reset properly, and the lineman, who was new, did not notice it. (It was early in the morning and he was the only one around.) They had corrected the accounting with the credit card company and included transaction receipts for our records!
It is great to find a company that puts honesty and integrity above the bottom line in the world of today. There was no need for the Stouts to do anything other than nothing — yet they went to the trouble of tracking us down and putting the matter right.
I hope that Stout Flying Service wins the "FBO of the Week" award for putting principles before the bottom line. Our family, for one, will be certain to use their services again and hopefully this nomination encourages others to do the same.
AVweb readers logged some serious time this week, with many recommending FBOs they visited during their travels. Frank Ladd called our attention to Indiana's Montgomery Aviation, which he praises for taking the "big gamble" of opening an FBO location at Grissom Air Reserve Base in Peru, Indiana. KGUS is U.S. Air Force Base recently opened for public use, and, as Frank writes:
It has been a major feat ... for an FBO to go into this location headfirst and start developing a new FBO where no FBO has ever existed in the 70+ years of existance of Grissom Air Force Base. In economically hard times, Montgomery Aviation should be praised for their forward thinking.
If you pass through, stop by and check out Frank's claims for yourself. And in the meantime, congratulations to Montgomery Aviation, AVweb's "FBO of the Week"!
Althought it's still a relatively new FBO, Air 51 in Lexington, Kentucky keeps popping up on our radar. The latest recommendation comes from AVweb reader Don Hagedorn, who calls this popular pit stop the "best FBO I have ever visited," prompting us break with tradition and make Air 51 our "FBO of the Week" for a second time.
Don writes:
We were delayed due to weather ... when returning to Columbia, SC from Oshkosh on 2 August. Their great staff went out of their way to take care of my 13-year-old nephew and make him feel welcome while we waited. Fine staff, great facilities, reasonable fuel prices, and wonderful amenities. Plus, my nephew was especially thrilled by the TV in the men's room. (Ah, simple pleasures!)
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Poplar Grove Airmotive, located (where else?) at Poplar Grove Airport (C77), an hour north of Chicago.
In a week filled with great recommendations, it was this testimonial from AVweb reader Steve Langdon that brought Poplar Grove to the top:
Poplar Grove is the Mecca for fun aviation. The field hosts numerous biplanes, homebuilts, etc. The owners, Steve and Tina Thomas, will bend over backwards to make your visit enjoyable and memorable. The field has two sod strips ... great for obtaining your tail wheel endorsement in either the Piper Cub or the Cessna 140 that are available for rent at the FBO. Good food is just up the road, and a car is usually availabe. Adjacent to the airport is the Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum, which celebrates the early years of aviation and other forms of transportation.
Sounds like a destination FBO, Steve — thanks for the tip!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Three Wing Flying Services at Igor Sikorsky Memorial Airport (KBDR) in Stratford, Connecticut.
AVweb reader Paul McGhee tells us why Three Wing is an outstanding FBO:
I was stuck at BDR as thunderstorms popped all around the area. Even though I hadn't purchased a thing, the manager offered me the crew car so I could get breakfast. When I finally gave up, the line guys helped me get a car rental and tied me down. All this and the lowest fuel prices in the New York airspace area.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Pontiac, Michigan's Oakland Air (KTPK), an FBO that recently went the extra mile to make an unplanned trip a little easier for AVweb reader Tom Ahonen.
Tom shared the story with us:
I received one of those phone calls you dread. A parent had passed (my wife's mom). So I hastily organized a trip from Minneapolis to Pontiac. I called Oakland Air to organize a car. Upon arrival, two line guys guided me to parking, where my car was waiting. They helped with bags, the plane cover, anything we needed. And in the car, there was a gift basket and a sympathy card. Wow. Thanks, Oakland Air. You really brightened our otherwise dark day.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to TAC Air at GMU in Greenville, South Carolina.
AVweb reader John Hey hadn't stopped at GMU for six months, but he tells us "they still remembered me":
Great, cheerful, and competent service — even though I had just saved $30 using their self-service pump. Call ahead, and they get you a great discount on the nice Phoenix Motel one block away with the best free full Southern breakfast ever!
I've never met a more user-friendly FBO. This FBO has an extremely competitive fuel price for how much service they offer ... [and] they have a brand-new terminal and are located right in downtown St. Pete.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to FlightLine First at Lakefront Airport (KNEW) in New Orleans, Louisiana.
AVweb reader Ian Cairns called the airport to our attention this week, calling the staff at FlightLine "good folks trying to make a go of it and up against two national chains." Ian went on to explain that the main office is still located in a trailer while they finish post-Katrina renovations, "but it has everything — widescreen TV, computer access for briefings, comfortable sofas ... [and the] courtesy car is a new Mercedes." Ian does warn us against higher fuel prices throughout the area, but he says FlightLine is very competitive in that context and should have self-serve options in the very near future.
Hands down, our latest "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Columbia Air Services at Southern Vermont Regional Airport (KRUT) in Rutland, Vermont.
The Cessna Pilots Society recently held their annual gathering in Rutland, and praise for the FBO has been pouring in to AVweb ever since the participating pilots returned. Almost everyone who took time to rate the FBO pointed out that the staff stayed very busy throughout the five-day event but never faltered when it came to top-notch service and friendliness, working their fingers to the bone to provide tie-downs, refreshments, rental cars, and local information. In particular, Kate, Al, and Brian received a lion's share of praise for going the extra mile to help out these Cessna flyers.
(And while we can't send hats to everyone, we will be sending one to AVweb reader Abbott de Rham, who was the first to sing the praises of Columbia. It's certainly gratifying to know we have so many regular readers and contributors among the CPS membership!)
AVweb reader Andy Couch explained how Aeroflight delivered that all-important personal touch:
As I taxied to the FBO, a lineperson came out to meet me and directed me to a tiedown; I didn't have to wander about the ramp, looking for a place to park. The lineperson helped me with my baggage and with my ground transportation. When I returned to the FBO a few days later to depart, I used both the computer-based flight planning services the FBO made available and the FBO's telephone to contact Flight Service. ... I was treated as if I were Bill Gates flying my personal bizjet instead of a piston-engine GA driver who purchased only 54 gallons of 100LL.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to AAR's location at Will Rogers World Airport (KOKC) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
A couple of weeks ago, AVweb reader Mitch Hargrave found himself in the vicinity of Oklahoma City, checking the local weather reports:
I checked the weekend weather, and the chance for thundershowers was quite low for the OKC area. But, wouldn't you know it, three hours after arriving I could see storms brewing out to the west. As the evening wore on, they intensified and were moving toward Will Rogers, where our beloved N33V was sitting out on the ramp. Feeling not a little uneasy, I called AAR. I was told not to worry — 33V was [already] in the big hangar! That, my friends, is service. Needless to say, I slept soundly that night.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Vee Neal Aviation at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport (KLBE) in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
AVweb reader Josh Allen put their FBO on our radar, writing that he "always look[s] forward to being to fly to Vee Neal":
Their attitude toward planes should be followed by all FBOs. Together, being friendly and fast and having the cheapest services around, they are an all-around wonderful FBO. I find myself with tons of time to kill because they are so quick with their service! Can't wait to come back!
AVweb reader Alec Thigpen recommended the FBO, telling us how manager Stephen Leidigh helped him (and others) during the very busy week of Sun 'n Fun:
[O]n a busy Saturday of Sun 'n Fun, [Stephen made time] to personally take us to our plane on a somewhat distant parking area when we were unable to get a SNF shuttle to come get us. He also took another group to their airplane as well. The facilities were perfect for all of our needs, and there was a fuel discount during the week of the show as well. Their friendliness was quite nice and not all that common at many FBOs when things get hectic.
AVweb reader Robert Parker recommended the FBO, citing the owner's eerie prescience:
John somehow knew before we landed that we'd been fighting fierce headwinds the previous four hours. He met us at the plane,then towed the plane to the SS fuel pump, fueled it with my card (at prices quite below the national average), parked it back in front of the FBO, then drove out to buy batteries for our headsets so my wife and I could relax before flying the final four-hour leg home!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Indy Aero at KMQJ in Mt. Comfort, Indiana.
AVweb reader Penny Litz, a volunteer for the American Military Heritage Foundation, told us how Indy Aero came to her rescue recently:
[T]he AMHF operates a rare Lockheed twin-engine PV2 Harpoon on the air show circuit. We do not have a hanger for our aircraft. Recently Indy Aero cleared out their whole maintenance hanger for a whole weekend so that we could work on replacing an engine in comfort — it is cold in Indiana — at no expense to us. They are very supportive to the community, general aviation and the weekend-warrior as well as the corporate jet set.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Quality Aviation at KFBL in Faribault, Minnesota.
AVweb reader Rick Lemon made a day stop at Quality while touring a nearby college with his daughter and wife:
Jerry [from Quality] met me at the plane and provided a courtesy car for the day. The car itself was fun — a recycled police car, so you couldn't open the back seat door or the window from inside. While I was gone, a thunderstorm blew in and Jerry put my plane in a hangar to avoid any possible hail damage. He refueled the plane even though it's advertised as self-serve.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to a relatively new FBO, Air 51 at LEX in Lexington, Kentucky.
AVweb reader Graham Richardson discovered Air 51 "quite by accident":
We were stopping for fuel at [another FBO] as is our habit when at LEX when we passed a spectacular P51 Mustang heading out for an evening flight. I questioned ground control and found out that the owner had just opened a new FBO called Air 51. We changed our destination and taxied down taxiway Delta to the nicest airport facility I have ever seen. Service was imediate, friendly and competent ... free soft drinks and popcorn [and] a brand-new Porsche Boxter convertible loaner car. ... This was the best FBO experience I've ever had in over 20 years of flying. I only hope these guys go national.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Five Star Jet Center at KBAF in Westfield, Massachusetts.
This is facility that's shown up on our nomination list several times, and but it was this strong endorsement from AVweb reader John Light that made us name Five Star our "FBO of the Week":
I expect that I fly considerably more X/C miles than most GA pilots that I know; I stop at far more FBOs in a year ... [and] Five Star Jet Center is, without exception, the best FBO in New England. Beth and Patric make you feel 100% at home ... . Even before they knew that I might buy av fuel or anything else they were right on the spot to offer me a hand ... without me even asking. I simply cannot say enough for these people. They well exceed any measure of customer satifaction practices that I can think of.
Maybe it's all the travel related to Sun 'n Fun, but we received quite a few (really compelling) nominations for "FBO of the Week" over the last few days. The standout among these was a rather unusual recommendation (and plea) from AVweb reader Doug McDowall of EAA Chapter 165. Doug raved about two airports he frequents in North Little Rock, Arkansas — Barrett Aviation and Air Charter Express (ACE) — both located at North Little Rock Municipal Airport, KORK (formerly 1M1). On April 3, the airport was hit by a tornado, causing massive damage to both FBOs' rental and charter airplanes. The two have still managed to keep up with Doug's demands, and he hopes the exposure as AVweb's "FBOs of the Week" might encourage more people to stop by and support the FBOs during their reconstruction.
Doug writes:
[Fuel sales] may be the only source of income for both Barrett Aviation and Air Charter Express for months to come. If you are coming through this area and need to make a fuel stop, it would really help these two FBOs to get through some tough times. Barrett Aviation is a Phillips 66 dealer, and Air Charter Express handles Shell products (also has a 24-hour self-fueling faciltiy on the SW corner of the field). Both Barrett Aviation (Harry Barrett) & Air Charter Express (Tommy Murcheson) ... have taken a major hit from Mother Nature and deserve a helping hand.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Amelia Reid Aviation at KRHV in San Jose, California.
AVweb reader Konstantin Blank recommended the FBO, citing the unique training experience:
Amelia Reid Aviation is a rare place where you get excellent flight instruction while connecting with the roots of aviation. While they instruct for all airplane ratings, the spcialty is in tailwheel aircraft ... a place where hangar flying is a both a pleasure and valuable (non-loggable) flight experience. I recommend everyone get a tailwheel transition training here as it will be fun and make you a better pilot.
While tailwheel training isn't on our list for this year, we'll definitely spread the word. (And now we know a good FBO in San Jose to stop in on during our travels.)
AVweb reader Dick Bicknell couldn't find enough nice things to say about this week's "FBO of the Week" winner — Parlin Field Airport (2B3) in Newport, New Hampshire.
Six or so years ago, while searching for low fuel prices, we discovered a perfect gem of an airport located 45 nm north of the Massachusetts border and 5 miles west of Lake Sunapee, NH. Their fuel prices remain the lowest, or equal to, any in New England, and their attractiveness, hard to beat. The airport facilities are immaculate. The north/south runway is 3450' paved and NW/SE 1950', excellent turf. 2B3 features an exceptional Mexican restaurant and an ice cream stand ... but the "piece de resistance" is found at the end of Runway 30 — shaded picnic tables, a crystal clear river, sandy beach, and a picturesque covered bridge.
The FBO, Dick tells us, is owned by the town of Newport and operated by Maura and Dean Stetson, "whose welcome is always enthusiastic, friendly and helpful."
Today, AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Landmark Aviation at KORF in Norfolk, Virginia, which was recommended to us by AVweb readers David & Roberta McKenna, who write:
The line staff and front counter girls were outstanding, giving [us] a truly excellent experience. We were given the AOPA 25¢ fuel discount, a reservation at Windmark Hotel for $68(not a misprint!), their shuttle to and from the FBO, and a restaurant recommendation. Outstanding service!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Blue Diamond Aviation at Russellville Municipal Airport (M22) in Russellville, Alabama.
AVweb reader Robby Bendall calls the FBO "a welcome stop for anyone," recounting how he and a friend have made it their base of operations while airplane shopping:
Cm. Sgt. Harry Mattox has done an excellant job of building a good small town FBO and flight traing center. Recently a friend and I have been working on the purchase of his first airplane, a 172 that has been sitting for two years. He has welcomed us with open arms and has gone out of his way to help. We have used his facilities on and off since January of this year, and it and looks like we are about to finish up. Harry has auto-dispensed Jet A and 100LL, [plentiful] hangar space, and the nicest small town terminal with a courtesy car. Smiles abound.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Out of the Blue Aviation at KAWO in Arlington, Washington.
According to AVweb reader Jeanne Howe, Out of the Blue "has it all":
There is a comfortable lounge with great espresso, pilot supplies and top-notch instructors. Owner Cathy Mighell is enthusiastic about all she has developed. As a Cessna Pilot Training Center, the staff is knowledgeable and able to guide students and pilots to meet their needs. Everyone is friendly and excited about their seminars and events. I've enjoyed the North Sound Poker Run and look forward to their Mountain Flying seminar and beach BBQ getaway.
From Jeanne's description, it sounds like the FBO at Out of the Blue is a destination unto itself!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Tropical Aviation Corp. at Isla Grande's Fernando Rivas Dominicci Airport (TJIG) in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
AVweb reader Robin Fraser made a compelling case, insisting that Tropical "was the best FBO we used in an entire month of cross-country flying" from Saskatchewan to BVI. "They easily deserve to be recognized as the 'FBO of the Week,'" writes Robin, and based on his account of the trip, we tend to agree:
The service at Tropicana Aviation was nothing less than excellent. From fueling at customs the moment we arrived and excellent pricing to the assistance in parking, everything was top-notch. The front desk staff arranged transportation and accomodations on a moment's notice and were exceptional with their service. The General Manager was there to meet us and offer his assistance and also introduced us to the owner of the business. Facilites were excellent and the staff took care of flightplans and the very low airport fees (less than 7.00 for the night!).
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Air Flyte, Inc. at KBAF in Westfield, Massachusetts.
We've heard of some pretty nifty things FBOs do to make their visitors feel at home, but AVweb reader Bob Cipolli painted a unique and inviting picture of this "new FBO located in the brand-new terminal building at Barnes/Westfield." Bob writes:
They have lineman ready to park you as soon as you taxi in and roll out an actual red carpet for every plane on their ramp. They even have cookies for my dog when she comes with me to the airport. First class organization all the way.
Red carpet? Dog cookies?? We have to agree, Bob — that's the very definition of "first class all the way"!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Signature Flight Support at KSNA in Santa Ana, California.
AVweb reader Robert Parker recommended the FBO with one of the finest lines we've read in a while:
[W]hen a family in a Bonanza drops in for a weekend visit to Disneyland and gets treated like a Gulfstream full of celebrities, you know that you've found a good place.
You guys have been doing a lot of flying lately! We received more "FBO of the Week" nominations over the last seven days than we have in months. Despite some outstanding recommendations, we're awarding our "FBO of the Week" ribbon to the FBO at Santa Ynez Airport at KIZA in Santa Ynez, California.
Not only do they have a great webcam on their site (where you can check real-time fuel prices and ground conditions at a glance), but they inspired this heartfelt endorsement from AVweb reader Eric Cobb:
This is the way airports used to be, and I believe [Santa Ynez] is the best small airport in the U.S. Made me feel like a kid again.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to the FBO at North Las Vegas Airport (VGT) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
AVweb's own Mike Busch has nominated these folks before, pointing out that "the same customer service people have been working there for as long as I can remember (zero turnover), so they really know what they're doing." In addition, Mike tells us, "The facility is very nice, and the avgas prices are always extremely competitive (particularly at the self-serve island close to the GA terminal). There's a regular shuttle service that runs between the GA terminal and the hotels on the Strip."
So why is Mike so eager to have us make VGT's FBO our "FBO of the Week"? Well, there's this:
About my only complaint is that there's a restaurant up on the second floor of the terminal building with a lovely view of the airport, but they seem to have a hard time keeping it open. It has changed hands a number of times and keeps going out of business, which is a bummer. Maybe if VGT [is] the "FBO of the Week," it'll get so much new business that they can keep the restaurant open!
One can only hope! Congrats to the folks at VGT for running such a tight operation. (Mike, bring us back a hamburger.)
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to American Aviation West at KPGA in Page, Arizona.
According to AVweb reader Scott A. Hauert, "These folks embody the spirit of aviators helping aviators" — and after hearing his story, we tend to agree.
Scott arrived early the morning for what he'd planned as a three-day stay in Page. "Bob, the Chief Pilot, could not have been more helpful if he had to," writes Scott. "He opened the FBO an hour early so we could stay on [a tight] schedule." When mechanical troubles reared their head, Scott became worried he wouldn't be able to get back, so Bob stayed late ("the same day he picked us up early") to let him back into the hangar. And when Scott had to leave bright and early the following morning, "one of the linemen picked us up."
In a week filled with stellar FBO recommendations, our "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Epic Aviation at KEVB in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
According to AVweb reader Robert Edelson, Epic really stepped up to the plate on a recent visit, despite having their hands full with other pilots:
The self-service pump was inop, but they refueled me by truck at the same price. Furthermore, they changed by CHT probe and cleaned a partially-blocked injector plus moved and returned our plane to its tie-down by tug, all for a time charge of one and half hours. They operate a busy flight-training operation, maintaining 20 aircraft, yet they graciously took the time to help me ... all for a reasonable rate!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Dixie Aviation Services at KCTY in Cross City, Florida.
AVweb reader Alec Thigpen brought Dixie to our attention:
I stopped in twice last month on a trip to the Keys and got a very low price for full service ... . On the way back, I stopped in again for a topoff, and even though it was after the time cutoff for the Saturday 25¢ discount, they gave it to me anyway, without me asking ... and the manager couldn't have been more hospitable. It is a small FBO but very nice, and they have snacks, sandwiches, and ice cream.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Aviation Technology at KSDF in Louisville, Kentucky.
AVweb reader Don Gay tells us how the Tec team came through for him just last week:
My twin Cessna 310 had a bad case of plug fouling and clogged fuel injectors on Friday, January 4 at 4pm. Paul Atwell and his tech stayed overtime for two hours to clean and gap the plugs and clean fuel injectors to get me on my way to my destination that night. Outstanding.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Prior Aviation at KBUF in Buffalo, New York.
AVweb reader John LaCourt recounted his experience at Prior:
On our first flight to my wife's old home town we flew to Buffalo with family friends. With only a hour or so notice, Prior Aviation met us at the ramp, provided two rental cars — one of which was a Red Mustang that made our friends' day. We asked for hangar space due to impending freezing rain and were provided with a heated hangar at less than half the cost of similar space at our home airport. When we arrived ahead of schedule for departure, they had the plane ready, fueled at reasonable rates, and gave us helpful hints as to taxi insturctions we would receive with a clearance. Hats off to Prior; we will certainly use them on future trips!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to 1st Class Air at KSPI in Springfield, Illinois.
With storms criss-crossing the U.S. for the last few weeks, many of our most glowing recommendations have come from pilots who found themselves trapped in less-than-ideal conditions far from home. AVweb reader Scott Bartley was in just such a position, stopping at Springfield because of bad weather a little further north. When weather put the kibosh on his flight, the team at 1st Class air checked in Scott's crew car and got him a rental, and when he need to get back to the plane a day early (just after Thanksgiving!), 1st Class had it ready for the air. "Everything went smoothly despite my ever-changing plans," writes Scott. "This FBO will remain on my list of planned stops for all trips north."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Emerald Coast Aviation at 54J in Defuniak Springs, Florida.
Emerald Coast brought a little holiday cheer to AVweb reader Travis Turner, who stopped at the FBO "to pick up my mother for the holidays":
She had not flown in a small plane before, and the owner Johnathan helped to reassure my mom that flying was a safe and fun way to travel. Aside from helping to calm her nerves, Emerald Coast has a clean facility, good prices and a new surface on their runway. I certainly will visit again!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Flightstar at Willard Airport (CMI) in Savoy, Illinois.
AVweb reader Geoffrey Morsell recently dealt with some "winter weather" in that area and heaps praise on the team at Flightstar for helping him cope:
I arrived at CMI just prior to a week-long freezing rain event. We were scheduled to be in CMI for three days, and as luck would have it the forecast was correct; during our stay everything was coated with ice! On the morning of our scheduled departure, I called to request the aircraft be placed in a heated hanger to remove the ice coating. To my surprise, the CSR informed me that the plane had been put in a heated hanger several days ago in anticipation of our depature!
AVweb reader David W. Douglas praises the Specialty Flight team for stepping up to the plate when he arrived late on a Friday afternoon:
I ... needed to hanger my Cirrus due to incomming weather, ... and Specialty was kind enough to move one of their own planes outside and put in mine. The owner, Lonnie, was very kind and his FBO was pristine! There was a big frost that night and his kindness helped me be able to leave the next day without concern for frost/snow.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Montgomery County Aviation at KLOM's Wings Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
AVweb reader Brett Justus recommended the FBO, telling us that "'Brotherly Service' is abundant at this FBO":
I received exceptional service all the way around. Most notably, though, I needed a quick aircraft wash for some important clients the next morning (potential investors), and there was only an hour and a half of daylight left. The entire staff jumped on it immediately to get it done and charged a ridiculously low price. Definitely the place to land if you're going to Philly!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Monaco Air at Duluth International Airport (KDLH) in Duluth, Minnesota.
AVweb reader Armand Bendersky recommended the FBO for its friendliness and careful preparations, calling Monaco "a first-class operation with first-class folks":
[W]hen I told Holly were we were staying, she gently suggested that we could do better and proceeded to name about four hotels that were much better. Also, she said that Monaco had checked them out and arranged special rates for transient pilots. We got a great rate at her first choice. ... Also, she and the line manager were so helpful on our arrival. Our rental car had been pulled up and was running, as temps were in the teens.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Antrim County Airport at KACB in Bellaire, Michigan.
AVweb reader Stan Prevost flies into KACB several times a year, and he tells us it's always a pleasant experience, accompanied by a warm welcome. Here's how Stan was greeted on a recent arrival:
As we disembarked the airplane, airport manager John Strehl met us at the airplane with two plastic bags, greeted us by name, and told us to help ourselves to tomatoes growing on vines they had planted around the terminal.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Heartland Aviation at KEAU in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
AVweb reader Mark Griffith was preparing to leave Eau Claire when his alternator failed:
Unable to make the one-hour flight back to Rochester and realizing that the FBO had just closed, we resigned ourselves to a cold, dark fall night outside, waiting on our ride home. Hugh, the night janitor at Heartland Aviation, saw our predicament and quickly ushered us inside to the nicely furnished (and comfortably warm) pilot's lounge. Our ride arrived a couple of hours later, and we could thank Hugh enough for being a gracious and warm host. He really turned a cold, depressing evening into a gathering of friends! Thanks for everything, Heartland!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Panorama Flight Service at Westchester County Airport (KHPN) in White Plains, N.Y.
"Panorama Flight Service goes out of their way to serve pilots and passengers," according to AVweb reader George Samara, who also raved about the princely treatment he received there:
They are the only FBO I know of that provides free: a flavored coffee service, a large container of Gorp Mix, a large container of Jelly Beans, a large container of small chocolates, and (for all pilots) a selection of seven different kinds of cheesecake (which were awesome). Oh, and they also provide several kinds of free granola bars, and a great Crew Lounge with two computer terminals and two phones. Did I mention that there are three phones in the lobby, too?
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Minute Man Airfield at 6B6 in Stow, Massachusetts.
AVweb reader Dick Shafner recommended the FBO after spending some time there and discovering that (for piston pilot at least) "Minute Man Airfield has it all":
[Onwer Don and wife Nancy] still treat each incoming aircraft like it is their first customer. The motto on the Minute Man web site is "Where Piston Pilots Rule", and it certainly is. Fuel is cheap (pay cash and it is even cheaper) and there is always a friendly "hello" on the frequency when arriving or departing. ... And then there is Nancy's Airport Cafe. What a find. Locals consider it "the place to go" for breakfast and lunch during the week, and on Friday and Saturday nights Chef Nancy prepares gourmet meals in a very relaxed cafe setting.
AVweb reader Jim Hinnen stopped in on a fishing trip and couldn't recommend Lockhart highly enough:
Owner/manager [Douglas Lockhart] ... directed us to phones, parked and tied us down, helped with baggage, and even ... suggested hotels where they had a better rate, then called [the] hotel for rooms and transportation. You could not have any better (friendly, courteous, helpful) service anywhere. Also, no tie-down charge! [I] tried to tip them, and they refused, saying our business was good enough.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Aviation Facilities, Inc. (AFI) at KFUL in Fullerton, California — a family-run FBO that celebrated its 40th anniversary at KFUL last week.
AVweb reader Ray Stratton gave us a little history:
Starting with a C-150 and using the airport motel lobby as an office, [AFI] ... has grown to a fleet of eleven aircraft and over seven instructors. Still owned and operated by the same family, it has accomplished over 250,000 hours of flight instruction.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Zenith Flight Support at KRAL in Riverside, California.
AVweb reader Bob Spidell quot;didn't know a thing about local FBOs ... [and] picked one out of Pilot's Guide," but he was surprised at how well he'd picked when he arrived at Riverside:
[T]he young lady who took my reservation had my rental car parked out front, running, with the air conditioner on as it was a hot day. ... Friendly staff, efficient and well-run outfit--a credit to the business.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Cutter Aviation at KCOS in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
AVweb reader Jim Landfried recommended the FBO after getting top-notch, personalized service from a big chain operation:
I was surprised that at [an] airport this [big] they didn't charge any more for fuel than my local municipal airport. On my departure, Doug, a lineman, after learning that my family hadn't been to a General Aviation facility before, loaded my granddaughter, her husband, and their 1-1/2-year-old daughter into a crew vehicle and drove them to a place where they could see my wife and I depart. This at a large commercial airport! ... I have been back three times since and they always provide very excellent service and personal attention ... . By the way, the fuel prices have remained modest.
And it sounds like Jim would know his way around FBOs, having visited many of them over the years during a career as a scorer for the Air Race Classic!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Hutt Aviation & Soar Minden at Tahoe-Minden Airport (KMEV) in Minden, Nevada.
The Civil Air Patrol's Brent Ludlow spent quite a few hours there during the last two weeks as part of the search for missing aviator Steve Fossett. Ludlow spoke highly of both FBO operators and the airport's Taildragger Restaurant:
You all made us welcome and promptly responded to anything we needed. You helped all of us in the Civil Air Patrol to do our job, and I hope everyone flying through there stops to enjoy the hospitality that we have seen.
Congratulations to the folks at Minden-Tahoe — and Brent, watch your e-mail. We'll be in touch about sending you an official AVweb ball cap.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Lancaster Aviation at McWhirter Field (KLKR) in Lancaster, South Carolina.
AVweb reader Alex McDowell recommended Lancaster for the usual reasons — "down-home hospitality, excellent service, and very reasonable rates" — but like many pilots, Alex discovered the true value of good service during an unscheduled stop for emergency maintenance. Alex writes:
Suffering complete electrical failure upon takeoff from a military base, I diverted 95 miles out of my way because I knew I could count on them really taking care of me. I wasn't disappointed. Gary's team jumped right in, troubleshooting my problem while I enjoyed reading all the heartfelt notes to parts manager Carrie from deployed service men and women in appreciation for the many care packages she has sent to these overseas troops. Sandy loaned me the crew car overnight, and the gang had a fix in the works by the time I arrived back at the airport. Fred the pooch was even keeping my parking spot on the ramp warm! Neil, Mark and Justin had me repaired, refueled, and ready to go before lunch, but I couldn't pass up the invitation to stay for the barbecue chicken and fixin's Mike had been grilling up all morning. I had been anxious to get back home for meetings the next day, and the gang made sure I made it on time, but I sure hated to leave the wonderful family atmosphere.
Alex will definitely return to Lancaster Aviation and recommends any other pilots in the area check them out.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Atlantic Aviation at Wiley Post (PWA) in Oklahoma City, Ok.
AVweb reader Bill Johnson gives the FBO a stellar recommendation:
If your travels take you to Oklahoma City, the best airport is Wiley Post and Atlantic Aviation. Their facities are excellent, open 24/7 -- and more friendly, considerate people you will not find. On a recent trip to visit my ailing mother, Allison and her team not only got me where I needed to go, they made arrangements to pick me up and even checked to make certain everything was O.K. If Im in Oak City, Im at Atlantic Aviation at PWA.
AVweb reader Christopher Dean heaps praise on the service team in Henderson:
We spent eight days out there going up and coming back daily. The line crew simply rocks -- they are thorough, efficient, professional and safe. The customer service teams on all of the the shifts are friendly, and know how to take care of the customer. And the icing on the cake -- the fuel prices can't be beat! From the second we arrived to eight days later, everyone there at the FBO who dealt with us left us with a positive and warm impression. We will make this FBO our choice FBO for our trips to Las Vegas. Thank you to everyone who works there!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to TNT Air at N47 in Pottstown, Penn.
AVweb reader Howard Whyte recommended the FBO after an unscheduled stop at Pottstown:
Recently, while my wife and I were on a cross country flight to visit her brother, we experienced a complete electrical failure. We diverted to the nearest airport and upon landing discovered that because it was Sunday there were no services available. No rental cars, no maintenance and no way home. We called friends and we called acquaintenances, but no luck. Since we are based at N47 we finally called TNT Air. Tom and Angie Noetzel run the FBO there and they immediately sprang into action. Tom picked us up in a Cirrus 22 at no cost, and even let me fly it home. Angie met us on the ramp with cold bottled water and a welcoming smile. That's just the way the operate. Form setting up and hosting a lavish birthday party for a local 96 year old pilot to impromtu cook-outs they manage to keep the airport the place to be. Clean, hospitable, friendly, you couldn't ask for a better FBO than TNT Air.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Medford Air Service at KMFR in Medford, Ore.
AVweb reader Jim Boeckl said the FBO staff took great care of him after his airplane limped into their facility.
"Our engine broke flying near MFR, and we landed and taxied to Medford Air Service trailing oil. We stepped out onto red carpet, and soon found out that the engine needed overhauled. They put Champ in their hangar for two months at no charge -- line manager Bobby Croll said the FBO didn't want to benefit from our misfortune. The entire staff was friendly and helpful, and the facility is immaculate. It is clear Medford Air Service recognizes and promotes the miracle of flight, even in its simplest form. This is not something I would have expected from an executive flight center."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to McMinnville County at KRNC in McMinnville, Tenn.
AVweb reader Jerry Trachtman said the county-run facility's staff went above and beyond:
"Traveling from my home base of Melbourne, Fla., to Oshkosh, I stopped for fuel at McMinnville, Tenn. (RNC), based upon availability of low-priced avgas (lowest price within 100 miles). Due to thunderstorms, I could not depart as planned and had to spend the night. Without hesitation, the FBO staff gave me their only crew car for the overnight, and pointed me in the right direction. My early departure the next morning was met with a top cowl latch on my Piper Lance popping open on takeoff roll. I aborted the takeoff and sought help with the FBO's mechanic, who was at work early before any other staff had arrived. He repaired the latch, sent me on my way and refused compensation. This FBO demonstrated service above and beyond the call of duty."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Corporate Wings at KCHS in Charleston, S.C.
AVweb reader Val Nasano said the FBO's staff really delivers:
"I have been using Corporate Wings CHS since I started traveling to Charleston on business in 2006. I receive the same royal treatment in my C182 each time I taxi in as any bizjet or large corporate client. Last trip in, the crew at Corporate Wings went above and beyond. I always rent a car through the FBO and when I ended up with a flat tire on the side of the interstate at 9 p.m., I called the FBO for the number of roadside assistance. Not only did they call the car rental company for me, one of their lineman went out on his own, located our car and changed the flat for us so we could get off the busy highway in the dark. I can't say enough about this crew. I nominate them for FBO of the year!"
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to TAC Air at KAPA in Denver, Colorado.
AVweb reader Scott Brooksby raves about the service at TAC Air:
"These guys were great; their self-serve fuel prices were great, and they loaned us a crewcar to go to dinner. When we first arrived, they took us to our hotel. When we left two days later, they had the airplane near their door, ready to go. Awesome."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Livingston Aviation at KALO in Waterloo, Iowa.
AVweb reader Mark Griffith writes, "A fellow pilot and I were on a $100 Hamburger flight from Rochester, Minnesota. When we pulled into the Livingston Aviation parking area, we were met by a very professional lineman who provided us with as much attention as the Cessna Citation he had just parked. After filling our tanks and adding a little air to the tires, he took us inside, where the very professional receptionist gave us a crew car to complete our mission.
"The icing on the cake? Yesterday, I got a handwritten thank you note with a coupon for discounted 100LL next time we're in town."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Elliott Aviation at KMLI in Moline, Ill.
AVweb reader Jim Grady likes how they treat the "liitle guy."
"Our Sunday evening arrival was literally as the staff was out the door and off duty. They returned, parked us, took the fuel order and even took us to town in the van. All this was for a couple in a little taildragger, not a jet-A customer!"
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Atlantic Aviation at KISM in Kissimmee, Florida.
AVweb readers (and Cessna Pilot Society members) Dave Kalwishky, Greg Wright, Gene Cartier, Gilberto Velez-Domenech, Ray Mozingo and Keith Dorken said the facility's staff rose to the occasion during a fly-in for their annual get-together.
"We had a group fly-in to ISM and we used this FBO. They did a great job of parking the 25 of us, brought us ice cold bottled water when we came in and gave us rides on golf cart from our plane to the FBO," noted Kalwishky. Velez-Domenech added, "Each and every person in the staff made me feel like I was their most important customer. They were efficient, courteous, friendly and always had a smile on their faces."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Jackson Jet Center at KBOI in Boise, Idaho.
AVweb reader Fred Herzner said the FBO offered great service and fair prices.
"I flew into Boise with our Bonanza on the way home from Seattle and happened to chose Jackson Jet Center from several FBOs on the field. Line service was great, the facility was outstanding, the people were nice and the price of fuel was fair. They loaned us a very nice crew car for the afternoon and booked us in a good hotel for a low price. People were nice, and the service and facility were great. What else is there?"
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Great Lakes Air at K83D in St. Ignace, Mich.
AVweb readers Andrea and Tim Olson said the FBO's staff and service were outstanding.
"We had just touched down and were still rolling out down the runway when we were greeted over the Unicom with a very friendly 'Hello, Welcome to Great Lakes Air, will you be needing any fuel today?' At the fuel pump (with very reasonable fuel prices for the area), the staff was friendly and truly enjoyed talking aviation. The staff brought the courtesy car around to the plane, and even helped me unload the plane and pack the car while my husband, the pilot, 'talked planes.' The courtesy car was available for us to have until the next morning, so we were able to enjoy the Mackinac Bridge, see the area sites, and have a great dinner. Sally, the resident Golden Retriever, was very well behaved and kept our young daughters busy while we paid for fuel. A family friendly, reasonable, well maintained FBO located in a beautiful part of Michigan, in it for the love of aviation."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Vail Valley Jet Center at KEGE in Gypsum, Colo.
AVweb reader Snorri Snorrason said the FBO is tops in his book.
"Great setup with remarkable pilot accommodations. A lobby that makes your grandma feel comfy, and staff so helpful it feels like a five-star hotel. We had to stay the night for maintenance, which was taken care of promptly as soon as our part came in. We took the courtesy Hummer to town for dinner, and while the FBO closed down we were allowed to use the recliners and TV till the next morning. A brilliant experience with top-notch staff. They are the number-one FBO in my book."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Indianapolis Aviation at KUMP in Indianapolis, Ind.
AVweb reader Bill Johnson said the FBO staff is not only helpful, but honest, too.
"If your travels take you to Indianapolis the best airport is UMP. Phylis Denny and Larry Schmaltz run Indianapolis Aviation. Customer service is excellent and the facilities are great. Before I could call them with a question on my fuel bill, they called me to tell me they had found a discrepancy in my favor. If I'm in Indy, you'll find my plane at Indianapolis Aviation at UMP."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Aurora Jet Center at KUAO in Aurora, Ore.
AVweb reader Dennis Conner said the FBO has great service -- and cookies, too.
"Every time we stop in there, there is always a person to greet you and take care of all your needs quickly and efficiently. Fresh cookies and coffee as well."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Rowan County Airport at KRUQ in Salisbury, N.C.
AVweb reader A. Paul Giannobile said the facility always delivers.
"Every time we stop here on or way to Florida, the service is friendly, the free courtesy car is always available and the fuel price is the lowest. Easy in and out -- my favorite."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Heartland Aviation at KEAU in Eau Claire, Wis.
AVweb reader David Stone said the FBO stepped up to the plate when he had to divert due to weather.
"For two months I had been planning a trip to the Metrodome -- a birthday gift to my 12-year-old baseball-possessed nephew – to see the Red Sox versus Twins game. The forecast at KSTP was thunderstorms, with surface winds over 35 knots. Radar showed storms on the way, so I landed at KEAU instead. The car rental was closed, but Heartland lent me a great crew car for the 180-mile round trip with only a request to return it full (it was full when they gave it to me). They are the best."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Million Air at KHHR in Hawthorne, Calif.
AVweb reader Steve Hamerslag couldn't say enough good things about this facility.
"This is a new FBO on the field. When I arrived the ramp personnel were waiting to help with securing the aircraft. I was offered a short lift on their cart to the office, but I elected to walk the short distance. Upon entering the lobby I was helped immediately and efficiently. I was planning on taking a cab to my destination five miles away, but they insisted that they take me in their courtesy van. They even have a free soda machine on top of the normal coffee and tea. When I was departing, the line crew helped remove the chocks and offered me a cold bottled water as I did my walk around. Million Air KHHR has very friendly and efficient staff. The fuel was even reasonably priced!"
AVweb reader C. Moon says he visited the FBO twice and was impressed both times.
"I've visited St. Thomas, Ontario, twice, and both times I've received first-class service -- in one case beyond expectation. The first time the starter gear on my Cardinal sheared, grounding my copilot and I late on a Sunday afternoon. The airport was deserted, save for the manager. Rather than have me call my wife to make a 100-mile pickup journey, he pulled a 172 out of the hangar and had us on the way immediately. No fuss, no paperwork, no check ride. And no 100-mile car ride back with a less-than-pleased spouse. Last Sunday I paid a return visit. The crew car was made available to my wife and I for the entire afternoon to tour the area. No charge and no paperwork, just a friendly greeting and hand over of the keys. We will return again. This airport operates as a model of how one dreams what personal flying can be."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Atlas Aviation at KTPF in Tampa, Fla.
AVweb reader Armand Bendersky says the FBO went above and beyond.
"I contacted them before flying to Sun 'n Fun, and they were friendly on the phone and went above and beyond in obtaining hotel reservations, printed directions and the right rental car. Their facility is clean and the staff is friendly and helpful to a fault. I highly recommend this small, but very convenient operation for anyone going into the Tampa area. Fuel prices are probably less than others in the area, and they treat you like they appreciate your business."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Augusta Aviation at KDNL in Augusta, Ga.
AVweb readers Jim and Karen Lindemulder says the FBO owners went out of their way to help them.
"Good Friday evening our Skylane experienced multiple instrument failures while flying over Georgia. Control vectored us to Daniel Airport for assistance, where we were met on the ground by the smiling faces of Sherrell and Steven Gay of Augusta Aviation. The Masters Golf tournament was in progress and every hotel and rental car was taken. There were no mechanics available at the late hour and we considered a ferry flight to another facility, but Sherrell could tell by my wife's face that we really needed a night on the ground. She made many personal phone calls and located the last room available 35 miles away and gave us their own truck to get there. When we returned in the morning, their mechanic had already checked out our plane and determined the pitot heater was not working well and allowed ice to form in the lines. We were gratefully humbled when we were told that there was no charge for any of the services, even though we did not buy fuel. We will definitely stop to see them whenever passing through!"
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Bergstrom Aircraft at KPSC in Pasco, Wash.
AVweb reader Richard Ciccone says the FBO blends old-fashioned service with modern facilities.
"It's easy to see why Bergstom Aircraft has been Central Washington's foremost full service FBO for 35 years. They offer a highly regarded maintenance facility, as well as efficient and friendly office and line staff that supports an extended and loyal customer base. A consistent population of primary and advanced students is also supported by a dedicated staff of professionals in a very modern facility. This family's strong commitment the aviation community is reflected in everything they do, everyday."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Dillon Flying Service at KDLN in Dillon, Mont.
AVweb reader Benjamin Marsh liked the service so much at the FBO that he dreams of going back.
"Dennis and Jean, the owners, offer extremely personable service and genuinely care about their customers. Dennis, a high-time tailwheel pilot, welcomes everyone from cub pilots to jet jockey's at the FBO. Dillon's does get trainsient traffic; however, most is recreational due to its world-famous fishing and hunting. Yet prices are extremely low unlike other recreational airports. The FBO even offers a beautiful C172 for rental at only $82/hour wet. Overall, this FBO is a dream come true for any fisherman planning a trip this summer to the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Ruby or Madison Rivers, but still wants to stick to his budget. I can only dream of a flight back to Dillon."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Phazar Flight Support at KFTW in Fort Worth, Texas.
AVweb reader James Knox says the facility staff are attuned to customer's every need.
"Phazar is a relatively new FBO, and they are just puppy-dog eager to please. (Or else it's a plot to make you feel guilty about asking for anything.) They parked my little plane under the wing of the biggest Gulfstream and gave me the same treatment they gave them. Everything is done quickly and on time."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Jet Aviation at KBED in Bedford, Mass.
AVweb reader Paul Tollini says the FBO provides the same level of service, regardless of airplane size.
"Unlike some other FBOs, at Jet Aviation BED all customers are valued regardless of the size of the aircraft that they arrived in or how much fuel they purchase. When I had passengers that insisted on using the other FBO on the field, I felt like a traitor and received much worse service at a much higher price."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Rexburg Air Service at KRXE in Rexburg, Idaho.
AVweb reader Scott Brooksby says the FBO's owner bent over backwards to accommodate him.
"I landed last weekend for a mother’s weekend at BYU Idaho. I was fueled quickly, and a courtesy car was offered. The next day was so cold that I could not even get the engines started to take friends flying. Craig Frisby, the FBO owner, put the plane in the hangar overnight, serviced the struts and charged the battery, all at no charge. He met us Sunday afternoon and helped get the airplane out and ready to go. We had a brake failure on taxi out, and he came out immediately to service the brakes. He then waited to make sure we were off OK before going home to his family."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to North Atlantic Air at KBVY in Beverly, Mass.
AVweb reader Steven Swartz says employees at this FBO kept their cool under difficult weather conditions.
"Four days after we received our just-repainted (and gorgeous) 1980 Warrior, the Northeast was hit with an ice storm. North Atlantic's superb and enthusiastic line people moved it into a cozy corner of a heated hangar to wait out the storm. Moving aircraft for the next several days was like something out of an old-time Laurel and Hardy movie as the ice was inches thick all over the taxiways, ramps and parking lot. NAA's crew never flinched, and more importantly never fell down on the ice. Regular jet traffic was slowed but not stopped by the storm. Watching these guys handle expensive hardware on treacherous ground deserves a nomination of FBO of the week. May can't come soon enough around here!"
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Premier Jet at KCRQ in Carlsbad, Calif.
AVweb reader Douglas Roberson said the staff gets what it takes to have a successful FBO.
"When I arrived they gave me the red carpet treatment and parked me right up front and met me when my door opened, with a friendly smile and a welcome. Then the service began: they asked me what I needed for my overnight, and within a few minutes they had me a hotel room and a ride for me. The next morning they picked me up, without a phone call, at the time I requested. When I arrived, my aircraft was positioned up front ready to load. They treated me as if I was flying a jet. They get it!! They know with the advent of the very light/personal jets that a lot of their future customers will be buying jet-A. But in my opinion I believe the staff truly desires to treat there customers the way they themselves would like to be treated."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Executive Flight Center at KMDQ in Huntsville, Ala.
AVweb reader Breck Hopkins said the personnel at the FBO made his literally messy situation better.
"Executive offered the best and most helpful service I have experienced in 49 years of GA travel. I had a bird strike en route, and though it was frigid and gusty, they cheerfully spent more than a half hour scrubbing the remains off the windshield and wing. We met someone there to look at an airplane, and they offered to put the airplane in a hangar to make the inspection more comfortable, shuttled us back and forth to the hangar and let us use the crew car. The facilities are first rate, too. I will go out of my way to stop at MDQ."
AVweb reader Nick Ruemker said the FBO helps to make flying fun again.
"St. Charles Flying service is by far my favorite FBO I have experienced. The staff is always striving to go above and beyond to help anyone learn to fly and enjoy flying. It is a small business made of people who enjoy flying and the atmosphere that it brings to a small airport. This FBO is a great place to hang out and do some hangar flying or to just walk in and see who wants to go flying. Their prices are the lowest I have ever seen after flying in the Seattle, Denver/Colorado Springs and St. Louis areas. I would absolutely recommend this FBO to anyone who wants to enjoy the process of learning to fly and enjoy flying afterwards."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to DB Aviation at KUGN in Waukegan, Ill.
AVweb reader David Stone said the facility's staff literally gives him a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.
"I am in and out of KUGN about four times a year, so the guys at DB Aviation do not really know me.I showed up on a cold breezy day, and asked for my Tanis heater to be plugged in. When I walked out on the ramp to depart, my plane was nowhere to be found. With a look of bewilderment on my face, the lineman asked if I was driving the Arrow. I said yes, and he said to look in the hanger. It was nice to jump into a 50+ degree airplane when it was 10 degrees out. DB is always great, with a crew car often available."
AVweb reader Eddie Smith said the FBO is a shining example of Southern hospitality.
"Oscar and Mitch Taylor go beyond the required service. They have Paymaster self-service pumps, but are there to service your aircraft anyway. They just cannot do enough for you. Their fuel prices are extremely low, and I noticed many others landing there – some even going out of their way to return. Enough cannot be said about the service at this facility."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to LaSill Aviation at KLAW in Lawton, Okla.
AVweb reader Gerrit Paulsen said the facility consistently provides great service.
"I fly in to KLAW several times a month on business and have received top-notch service from the great folks at LaSill Aviation every time. My first experience with LaSill was early last year, shortly after they opened. I arrived after-hours on a Sunday evening, just as Bill Tipton was climbing into his truck to go home. He cheerfully reopened the FBO, fueled and hangared my Cirrus, and then insisted on giving me a ride to the hotel rather than calling a taxi — and then refused the 'gas money' I offered as thanks. Since then I have come to expect that Bill, Chris Pittman and the rest of the team at LaSill will anticipate my needs and then make it happen with a smile. On a recent visit when I arrived with the finish on my airplane looking a bit dull, Chris and Bill offered to wax the plane while I was in town and did a terrific job at a reasonable price. On my visit there last week my Hertz rental car magically appeared planeside, even though I had not made any prior arrangements to have it delivered from the airline terminal. Fuel is competitively priced as is overnight hangar space."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to LaSill Aviation at KLAW in Lawton, Okla.
AVweb reader Gerrit Paulsen said the facility consistently provides great service.
"I fly in to KLAW several times a month on business and have received top-notch service from the great folks at LaSill Aviation every time. My first experience with LaSill was early last year, shortly after they opened. I arrived after-hours on a Sunday evening, just as Bill Tipton was climbing into his truck to go home. He cheerfully reopened the FBO, fueled and hangared my Cirrus, and then insisted on giving me a ride to the hotel rather than calling a taxi — and then refused the 'gas money' I offered as thanks. Since then I have come to expect that Bill, Chris Pittman and the rest of the team at LaSill will anticipate my needs and then make it happen with a smile. On a recent visit when I arrived with the finish on my airplane looking a bit dull, Chris and Bill offered to wax the plane while I was in town and did a terrific job at a reasonable price. On my visit there last week my Hertz rental car magically appeared planeside, even though I had not made any prior arrangements to have it delivered from the airline terminal. Fuel is competitively priced as is overnight hangar space."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Copeca Inc. at TJBQ in Aquadilla, Puerto Rico.
AVweb reader Tami Bream said the FBO makes you feel right at home.
"We have been flying to Puerto Rico for more than 10 years and always land at Aquadilla Airport (BQN/TJBQ). We never found an FBO there, until now. Copeca is first rate and really knows how to treat GA pilots. Upon our arrival, they met our Bonanza with umbrellas due to the rain. This is a rare event, even in the States when arriving in a single-engine piston. Once we got out, they pushed the plane directly into a hangar so we could unload and stay dry. Their facilities are beautiful and clean, and we felt right at home. They should be recognized for their courteousness and knowing how to really treat GA pilots."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Copeca Inc. at TJBQ in Aquadilla, Puerto Rico.
AVweb reader Tami Bream said the FBO makes you feel right at home.
"We have been flying to Puerto Rico for more than 10 years and always land at Aquadilla Airport (BQN/TJBQ). We never found an FBO there, until now. Copeca is first rate and really knows how to treat GA pilots. Upon our arrival, they met our Bonanza with umbrellas due to the rain. This is a rare event, even in the States when arriving in a single-engine piston. Once we got out, they pushed the plane directly into a hangar so we could unload and stay dry. Their facilities are beautiful and clean, and we felt right at home. They should be recognized for their courteousness and knowing how to really treat GA pilots."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Million Air at KRIC in Richmond, Va.
AVweb reader Joe Stubblefield said the facility treated him like he was royalty.
"After meeting our 172 and picking us up in a van to drop us at the office only a couple hundred feet away, we asked for a ride to the museum and were give the crew car -- an S-type Jaguar. All that and saving the $50 landing fee by getting a little fuel from them at a really fair price, too. Great folks and service. Made us feel like royalty among the jets and King Airs."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Million Air at KRIC in Richmond, Va.
AVweb reader Joe Stubblefield said the facility treated him like he was royalty.
"After meeting our 172 and picking us up in a van to drop us at the office only a couple hundred feet away, we asked for a ride to the museum and were give the crew car -- an S-type Jaguar. All that and saving the $50 landing fee by getting a little fuel from them at a really fair price, too. Great folks and service. Made us feel like royalty among the jets and King Airs."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to KaiserAir Center at KOAK in Oakland, Calif.
AVweb reader Carl Lindros praised the facility for not just catering to jet clients.
"KaiserAir is the best big-city FBO in the nation. They are friendly, fast and thorough, and they're as nice to the small plane guy as they are to the G5 crew. Their prices are very competitive with other big city airports, and they give free van service to the BART station so you can easily get into San Francisco in less than 45 minutes after you check in. "
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to KaiserAir at KOAK in Oakland, Calif.
AVweb reader Carl Lindros praised the facility for not just catering to jet clients.
"KaiserAir is the best big-city FBO in the nation. They are friendly, fast and thorough, and they're as nice to the small plane guy as they are to the G5 crew. Their prices are very competitive with other big city airports, and they give free van service to the BART station so you can easily get into San Francisco in less than 45 minutes after you check in."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Goshen Air Center at KGSH in Goshen, Indiana.
AVweb reader John Wesley said this FBO has been turned around by its current owners.
"Zane Gillin and Randy Sharkey took over this operation 14 years ago, it was broke and had been on the skids for years. They have developed it into a clean, modern facility that cheerfully serves everyone in aviation from the ultralight through the large corporate jet. They have a courtesy car, wireless Internet, pilot lounge, flight-planning room, meeting room, a large comfortable waiting area and free lunch Friday."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Goshen Air Center at KGSH in Goshen, Indiana.
AVweb reader John Wesley said this FBO has been turned around by its current owners.
"Zane Gillin and Randy Sharkey took over this operation 14 years ago, it was broke and had been on the skids for years. They have developed it into a clean, modern facility that cheerfully serves everyone in aviation from the ultralight through the large corporate jet. They have a courtesy car, wireless Internet, pilot lounge, flight-planning room, meeting room, a large comfortable waiting area and free lunch Friday."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to North American Aviation at KRFD in Rockford, Illinois.
AVweb reader Wayne Phillips said he's treated like a rock star at this FBO.
"No matter what size airplane you fly in, they treat you like a rock star. They also keep 100LL prices low for a big airport ($3.85), have no ramp fees, have put my Skylane in their hangar when the weather gets bad at no cost, have driven me to my mom's house 12 miles away to avoid rental car or cab fees and have let me use their courtesy car overnight. These guys deserve the recognition!"
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to North American Aviation at KRFD in Rockford, Illinois.
AVweb reader Wayne Phillips said he's treated like a rock star at this FBO.
"No matter what size airplane you fly in, they treat you like a rock star. They also keep 100LL prices low for a big airport ($3.85), have no ramp fees, have put my Skylane in their hangar when the weather gets bad at no cost, have driven me to my mom's house 12 miles away to avoid rental car or cab fees and have let me use their courtesy car overnight. These guys deserve the recognition!"
AVweb reader Mack Secord said he received real Southwestern hospitality at the county-run facility.
"After more than nine hours of flying in our Skylane, we were ready to call it a day when we selected Borger, Texas, as our overnight stop. Almost before the prop stopped turning, Ronnie Wood and his crew had chocked and tied down the airplane, unloaded our baggage and positioned the fuel truck for a load of 100LL at $3.05 per gallon. When we asked about a place to stay, they promptly made us reservations at a new nearby motel, suggested three local restaurants and gave us the keys to a Crown Victoria sedan (at no charge). On departure the next morning, they arranged for a simply stunning sunrise as they wished us farewell. (I'll be submitting the photo of that sunrise for 'Picture of the Week!') This was Southwestern hospitality at its finest."
AVweb reader Mack Secord said he received real Southwestern hospitality at the county-run facility.
"After more than nine hours of flying in our Skylane, we were ready to call it a day when we selected Borger, Texas, as our overnight stop. Almost before the prop stopped turning, Ronnie Wood and his crew had chocked and tied down the airplane, unloaded our baggage and positioned the fuel truck for a load of 100LL at $3.05 per gallon. When we asked about a place to stay, they promptly made us reservations at a new nearby motel, suggested three local restaurants and gave us the keys to a Crown Victoria sedan (at no charge). On departure the next morning, they arranged for a simply stunning sunrise as they wished us farewell. (I'll be submitting the photo of that sunrise for 'Picture of the Week!') This was Southwestern hospitality at its finest."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to TAC Air at KTYS in Knoxville, Tenn.
AVweb reader David Stone said he literally got a warm reception from the facility's staff upon his departure.
"I showed up Wednesday before Thanksgiving with my wife and two sons. TAC Air had crew waiting with a luggage cart and even unloaded the plane. What wins my nomination, though, is TAC Air employees pulling the plane into a heated hanger Saturday morning after I called to have the plane pulled out front. The plane was covered in frost, and they saved me an hour and did not charge me a dime."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to TAC Air at KTYS in Knoxville, Tenn.
AVweb reader David Stone said he literally got a warm reception from the facility's staff upon his departure.
"I showed up Wednesday before Thanksgiving with my wife and two sons. TAC Air had crew waiting with a luggage cart and even unloaded the plane. What wins my nomination, though, is TAC Air employees pulling the plane into a heated hanger Saturday morning after I called to have the plane pulled out front. The plane was covered in frost, and they saved me an hour and did not charge me a dime."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Million Air at KSLC in Salt Lake City, Utah.
AVweb reader Harlan Ribnik said he was treated, well, just like a millionaire at the facility, even though he didn't pull up at the ramp in a jet aircraft.
"From the instant I taxied to their ramp, I was met with the friendliest line crew I've ever met. The atmosphere was incredibly friendly, service-oriented. I was made to feel an honored guest, rather than just somebody bringing business to the store. I have been at many FBOs who so clearly tailor their service to the type of aircraft being serviced, that it was a very welcome surprise to be treated as well as the G5 pilot, even though I flew a Mooney. Even when things did not go as smoothly as might be optimal, the staff made me feel comfortable and confident that I and my airplane would be well cared for. And we were!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Million Air at KSLC in Salt Lake City, Utah.
AVweb reader Harlan Ribnik said he was treated, well, just like a millionaire at the facility, even though he didn't pull up at the ramp in a jet aircraft.
"From the instant I taxied to their ramp, I was met with the friendliest line crew I've ever met. The atmosphere was incredibly friendly, service-oriented. I was made to feel an honored guest, rather than just somebody bringing business to the store. I have been at many FBOs who so clearly tailor their service to the type of aircraft being serviced, that it was a very welcome surprise to be treated as well as the G5 pilot, even though I flew a Mooney. Even when things did not go as smoothly as might be optimal, the staff made me feel comfortable and confident that I and my airplane would be well cared for. And we were!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to North Alabama Aviation at KDCU in Decatur, Ala.
AVweb reader Stan Poelstra was literally floored by the FBO’s low fuel price and high level of service.
"We stopped here twice. The first time, on the way to Florida, the FBO owner lowered the price of fuel of the self serve while I was fueling to $3.25. He said he just got the new quote so he would give it to me. On the way back two weeks later, the price was the same but it was so windy one could hardly stand up, so my wife and I stayed over night. They gave us the use of the courtesy car that afternoon and overnight. No charge, just lots of smiles and thank you’s for stopping. Wow!”
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to North Alabama Aviation at KDCU in Decatur, Ala.
AVweb reader Stan Poelstra was literally floored by the FBO’s low fuel price and high level of service.
"We stopped here twice. The first time, on the way to Florida, the FBO owner lowered the price of fuel of the self serve while I was fueling to $3.25. He said he just got the new quote so he would give it to me. On the way back two weeks later, the price was the same but it was so windy one could hardly stand up, so my wife and I stayed over night. They gave us the use of the courtesy car that afternoon and overnight. No charge, just lots of smiles and thank you’s for stopping. Wow!”
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Montgomery Aviation at KTYQ in Indianapolis, Ind.
AVweb reader Justin Klump simply said that the FBO is tops and deserves to be highlighted in AVweb.
"Montgomery Aviation is a first class facility operated by first class people. You are always greeted with a smile. They are definitely deserving of the FBO Of The Week award."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Montgomery Aviation at KTYQ in Indianapolis, Ind.
AVweb reader Justin Klump simply said that the FBO is tops and deserves to be highlighted in AVweb.
"Montgomery Aviation is a first class facility operated by first class people. You are always greeted with a smile. They are definitely deserving of the FBO Of The Week award."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Carolina Air Center at KHXD in Hilton Head, S.C.
AVweb reader Matt Thompson complimented the FBO staff for giving piston operators the same red carpet treatment as the jet set.
" I stopped here three times in nine days in two different aircraft (a Beech B36TC and a Cirrus SR22). The quality of service was superb. While many resort facilities really roll out the red carpet for the jet set, Carolina Air Center gave me the same service I have received when arriving in much larger corporate aircraft. It was a pleasure doing business with these folks. I would highly recommend them to anyone passing through the area. And I might add, they are the only FBO on the field. Many thanks for this excellent level of service."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Carolina Air Center at KHXD in Hilton Head, S.C.
AVweb reader Matt Thompson complimented the FBO staff for giving piston operators the same red carpet treatment as the jet set.
" I stopped here three times in nine days in two different aircraft (a Beech B36TC and a Cirrus SR22). The quality of service was superb. While many resort facilities really roll out the red carpet for the jet set, Carolina Air Center gave me the same service I have received when arriving in much larger corporate aircraft. It was a pleasure doing business with these folks. I would highly recommend them to anyone passing through the area. And I might add, they are the only FBO on the field. Many thanks for this excellent level of service."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Scottsdale AirCenter at KSDF in Scottsdale, Ariz.
AVweb reader Alan Tipps praised the friendly service received at Scottsdale.
"The line-staff are totally heads-up, proactive, professional and courteous, and on-the-ball. Just about every time we are into Scottsdale, the line staff anticipates our needs. Their ramp management is progressive and efficient, and I find these folks to be one of the best line crews in the country."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Scottsdale AirCenter at KSDF in Scottsdale, Ariz.
AVweb reader Alan Tipps praised the friendly service received at Scottsdale.
"The line-staff are totally heads-up, proactive, professional and courteous, and on-the-ball. Just about every time we are into Scottsdale, the line staff anticipates our needs. Their ramp management is progressive and efficient, and I find these folks to be one of the best line crews in the country."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Hill Aircraft at KFTY in Atlanta, Ga.
AVweb reader Brett Justus offered comments and a few reasons to stop by.
"I visit 20-30 FBOs a week. Hill has the best service I've experienced, ever. Came in late at night in chilly rain after a long day of flying. They had the fuel truck and my rental car at the plane in minutes. Rental car GPS was programmed with instructions to my Hotel. I was on my way to a warm room and comfy bed within a few minutes of landing!"
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Hill Aircraft at KFTY in Atlanta, Ga.
AVweb reader Brett Justus offered comments and a few reasons to stop by.
"I visit 20-30 FBOs a week. Hill has the best service I've experienced, ever. Came in late at night in chilly rain after a long day of flying. They had the fuel truck and my rental car at the plane in minutes. Rental car GPS was programmed with instructions to my Hotel. I was on my way to a warm room and comfy bed within a few minutes of landing!"
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Dixie Chopper Air at K4I7 in Greencastle, IN.
AVweb reader Bruce Cameron offered comments and a few reasons to stop by.
"Stopped twice in the last month (X-C in my Bonanza Coast to Coast R/T) Excellent service and prices, Great restaurant and 12 guest suites overlooking the runway. What else could a pilot/passengers ask for?."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Dixie Chopper Air at K4I7 in Greencastle, IN.
AVweb reader Bruce Cameron offered comments and a few reasons to stop by.
"Stopped twice in the last month (X-C in my Bonanza Coast to Coast R/T) Excellent service and prices, Great restaurant and 12 guest suites overlooking the runway. What else could a pilot/passengers ask for?."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Henderson Executive at KHND in Henderson, Nevada.
AVweb reader Thomas Okerlund offered his praise for the
service and facilities.
"The Line and Customer Service staff are top notch and match the new facilites just opened at Henderson. On a recent after hours late night trip, the Line Staff came into assist with parking and luggage. To accomodate the crew, they took everyone to their hotel and then turned down a tip when offered. Wow!"
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Henderson Executive at KHND in Henderson, Nevada.
AVweb reader Thomas Okerlund offered his praise for the
service and facilities.
"The Line and Customer Service staff are top notch and match the new facilites just opened at Henderson. On a recent after hours late night trip, the Line Staff came into assist with parking and luggage. To accomodate the crew, they took everyone to their hotel and then turned down a tip when offered. Wow!"
We've heard good things about this FBO before, but AVweb reader
John D. Light thought the entire staff deserved kudos for the
service and facilities.
"Senior CFIs Dale Stewart and Jamey Gauthier are two of
the best anywhere in the world," writes John. "The entire A&P
force, led by Ben Mosier, are always ready, willing and able to
do whatever is required to keep you flying, and the front desk man,
Chris Parker, is the best front desk man to be found anywhere. Owner
Nate Humphries runs a very fine FBO that is certainly deserving
of all the recognition it gets."
We've heard good things about this FBO before, but AVweb reader
John D. Light thought the entire staff deserved kudos for the
service and facilities.
"Senior CFIs Dale Stewart and Jamey Gauthier are two of
the best anywhere in the world," writes John. "The entire A&P
force, led by Ben Mosier, are always ready, willing and able to
do whatever is required to keep you flying, and the front desk man,
Chris Parker, is the best front desk man to be found anywhere. Owner
Nate Humphries runs a very fine FBO that is certainly deserving
of all the recognition it gets."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Beck's Helena U-Pump at KHLN, Helena, MT.
Offering up Beck's, Bruce Riter told us, "Clean & modern pilot lounge including kitchen & shower; nice late-model courtesy cars; cheapest fuel anywhere; a local told us the operator sells fuel just above cost & puts the markup into amenities for pilots. Hats off to the operators of this facility!" Keep those nominations coming.
Click here to nominate your favorite FBO and here for complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Beck's Helena U-Pump at KHLN, Helena, MT.
Offering up Beck's, Bruce Riter told us, "Clean & modern pilot lounge including kitchen & shower; nice late-model courtesy cars; cheapest fuel anywhere; a local told us the operator sells fuel just above cost & puts the markup into amenities for pilots. Hats off to the operators of this facility!" Keep those nominations coming.
Click here to nominate your favorite FBO and here for complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Aitkin Aviation at KAIT, Aitkin, MN.
Offering up Aitkin, Helen Woods told us, " My boyfriend and I stopped in for fuel during a long cross country trip to find a beautiful little country airport -- the type with a cub in every hanger and folding chairs in the hanger doorways gazing out onto the runway. The FBO manager came out and topped us off with reasonably priced fuel. They offered three grades including MoGas, which saved us a good deal of money. We then discovered that they had a beautiful grassy and tree lined campsite, complete with fire ring, grill, picnic table, and a huge mountain of firewood. They also had a 24hr pilot lounge complete with a shower, clean restroom, and weather computer, which they offered to us for indoor camping if we preferred. As the weather had deteriorated, we took them up on their hospitality decided to camp in their beautiful campsite. No sooner had we unrolled our tents than the FBO manager drove a car over to us and handed us the keys, maps of town, and directions to good food and enjoyable places to visit. We spent two nights at this airport and left on a Saturday morning when we found the FBO manager making huge pots of chilli for a vibrant volunteer airport community that had come out to repaint the runway markings. We said our good-byes and were handed two bags of locally grown wild rice as parting gifts from the FBO manager as we left. All of this, except the fuel and charts we purchased, was free of charge. If this FBO isn't worthy of an AVweb award, I don't know what is!" Keep those nominations coming.
Click here to nominate your favorite FBO and here for complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Aitkin Aviation at KAIT, Aitkin, MN.
Offering up Aitkin, Helen Woods told us, " My boyfriend and I stopped in for fuel during a long cross country trip to find a beautiful little country airport -- the type with a cub in every hanger and folding chairs in the hanger doorways gazing out onto the runway. The FBO manager came out and topped us off with reasonably priced fuel. They offered three grades including MoGas, which saved us a good deal of money. We then discovered that they had a beautiful grassy and tree lined campsite, complete with fire ring, grill, picnic table, and a huge mountain of firewood. They also had a 24hr pilot lounge complete with a shower, clean restroom, and weather computer, which they offered to us for indoor camping if we preferred. As the weather had deteriorated, we took them up on their hospitality decided to camp in their beautiful campsite. No sooner had we unrolled our tents than the FBO manager drove a car over to us and handed us the keys, maps of town, and directions to good food and enjoyable places to visit. We spent two nights at this airport and left on a Saturday morning when we found the FBO manager making huge pots of chilli for a vibrant volunteer airport community that had come out to repaint the runway markings. We said our good-byes and were handed two bags of locally grown wild rice as parting gifts from the FBO manager as we left. All of this, except the fuel and charts we purchased, was free of charge. If this FBO isn't worthy of an AVweb award, I don't know what is!" Keep those nominations coming.
Click here to nominate your favorite FBO and here for complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Skyline Aeronautics at KSUS, Chesterfield, MO.
Offering up Skyline, Robert Greenfield told us, "Truly the best of the best. Great plane rentals, instructional staff, and services! I've flown thru many FBO's in the past, but these guys bend over backwards to help you out! Currently working on my instrument ticket with them, and couldn't be happier!." Keep those nominations coming.
Click here to nominate your favorite FBO and here for complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Davis Field Aviation at KMKO in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Gordon Richardson II writes, "We stopped at MKO with a flight of Texas bound AT-6s on the way home from Oshkosh, and what a treat! The operators gave us some courtesy cars to go get some lunch. They were friendly, helpful, and had great fuel prices. Not to mention a nice airport."
Now that sounds like a top-notch stopover!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Skyline Aeronautics at KSUS, Chesterfield, MO.
Offering up Skyline, Robert Greenfield told us, "Truly the best of the best. Great plane rentals, instructional staff, and services! I've flown thru many FBO's in the past, but these guys bend over backwards to help you out! Currently working on my instrument ticket with them, and couldn't be happier!." Keep those nominations coming.
Click here to nominate your favorite FBO and here for complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Skyline Aeronautics at KSUS, Chesterfield, MO.
Offering up Skyline, Robert Greenfield told us, "Truly the best of the best. Great plane rentals, instructional staff, and services! I've flown thru many FBO's in the past, but these guys bend over backwards to help you out! Currently working on my instrument ticket with them, and couldn't be happier!." Keep those nominations coming.
Click here to nominate your favorite FBO and here for complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Pegasus Aviation at KRTN, Raton, NM.
Offering up Pegasus, Peter Hochla told us, "The friendliest, most helpful FBO within 500 miles. Competitive fuel prices, consciencious service, clean and neat facilities, GREAT food." Keep those nominations coming.
Click here to nominate your favorite FBO and here for complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Nominate an FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions
| Winning FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Pegasus Aviation at KRTN, Raton, NM.
Offering up Pegasus, Peter Hochla told us, "The friendliest, most helpful FBO within 500 miles. Competitive fuel prices, consciencious service, clean and neat facilities, GREAT food." Keep those nominations coming.
Click here to nominate your favorite FBO and here for complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Nominate an FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions
| Winning FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Lakeland Aviation Inc., at KADM, Ardmore, OK.
Offering up Lakeland, Dean Roberts told us, "New facility with excellent food, clean environment, constantly growing airport." Keep those nominations coming.
Click here to nominate your favorite FBO and here for complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Nominate an FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions
| Winning FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Lakeland Aviation Inc., at KADM, Ardmore, OK.
Offering up Lakeland, Dean Roberts told us, "New facility with excellent food, clean environment, constantly growing airport." Keep those nominations coming.
Click here to nominate your favorite FBO and here for complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Nominate an
FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions
| Winning
FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Franklin Municipal Airport, at
KFKN, Franklin, VA.
Offering up Franklin, Ben Jamey" Duffey" told us, "Franklin VA's airport (FKN) has the nicest staff (Jimmy Gray - Manager, in particular), Lowest fuel prices around, 24 hour weather, pilot briefing and bathrooms. Instrument approach with a nice long lighted runway. If you are traveling up or down the east coast - this is the place to stop for fuel, etc. Wonderful airport and great staff!"
Keep those nominations
coming.
Click here to nominate
your favorite FBO and here for
complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one,
submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Nominate an
FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions
| Winning
FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Franklin Municipal Airport, at
KFKN, Franklin, VA.
Offering up Franklin, Ben Jamey" Duffey" told us, "Franklin VA's airport (FKN) has the nicest staff (Jimmy Gray - Manager, in particular), Lowest fuel prices around, 24 hour weather, pilot briefing and bathrooms. Instrument approach with a nice long lighted runway. If you are traveling up or down the east coast - this is the place to stop for fuel, etc. Wonderful airport and great staff!"
Keep those nominations
coming.
Click here to nominate
your favorite FBO and here for
complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one,
submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Nominate an
FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions
| Winning
FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Ocean Air Aviation, at
KOTH, North Bend, OR.
Offering up Ocean Air, Scott Burton told us, "The elegant and relaxing facilities make it worth the stop coupled with the extraordinary service and friendly people. Denise runs that FBO as best as I have ever seen and always with a smile. Truly one of the best FBOís I have been to and the service is impeccable."
Keep those nominations
coming.
Click here to nominate
your favorite FBO and here for
complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one,
submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Nominate an
FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions
| Winning
FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Ocean Air Aviation, at
KOTH, North Bend, OR.
Offering up Ocean Air, Scott Burton told us, "The elegant and relaxing facilities make it worth the stop coupled with the extraordinary service and friendly people. Denise runs that FBO as best as I have ever seen and always with a smile. Truly one of the best FBOís I have been to and the service is impeccable."
Keep those nominations
coming.
Click here to nominate
your favorite FBO and here for
complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one,
submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Nominate an
FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions
| Winning
FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Ocean Air Aviation, at
KOTH, North Bend, OR.
Offering up Ocean Air, Scott Burton told us, "The elegant and relaxing facilities make it worth the stop coupled with the extraordinary service and friendly people. Denise runs that FBO as best as I have ever seen and always with a smile. Truly one of the best FBOís I have been to and the service is impeccable."
Keep those nominations
coming.
Click here to nominate
your favorite FBO and here for
complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one,
submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Nominate an
FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions
| Winning
FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Christiansen Jet Center, Tulsa at
KRVS, Tulsa, OK.
Offering up Christiansen, Phil Hanson told us, "Tremendous t-storm blew into Tulsa, and they put my Skylane in their hanger among the Citations, Pilatus', etc. Staff is always very friendly and helpful."
Keep those nominations
coming.
Click here to nominate
your favorite FBO and here for
complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one,
submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday![t]
Nominate an
FBO | Rules | Tips | Questions
| Winning
FBOs
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Christiansen Jet Center, Tulsa at
KRVS, Tulsa, OK.
Offering up Christiansen, Phil Hanson told us, "Tremendous t-storm blew into Tulsa, and they put my Skylane in their hanger among the Citations, Pilatus', etc. Staff is always very friendly and helpful."
Keep those nominations
coming.
Click here to nominate
your favorite FBO and here for
complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one,
submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday![t]
FBO of the Week: MERIDIAN, TETERBORO, NJ July 13, 2006 AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to MERIDIAN, TETERBORO at
KTEB, Teterboro, NJ.
Offering up Meridian, ROBERT APENS told us, "FLYING IN FROM CANADA IN THE
CIRRUS FOR AN "I LOVE NEW YORK" JULY 4TH WEEKEND THE PEOPLE AT THIS FBO
IMPRESSED MY GIRLFRIEND WITH HOW NICELY THEY TREATED US AMONG ALL THE JETS. SHE
ASKED IF MY 'OTHER PLANE' WAS A GULFSTREAM! GREAT PRICE ON 100LL..."
Keep those nominations
coming.
Click through to nominate
your favorite FBO and for
complete contest rules
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one,
submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday! [t]
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to COOK AVIATION, INC. at KBMG, Bloomington, IN.
Two separate submissions offered strong praise for Cook. RAY ANDRAKA told us, "SERVICE ABOVE AND BEYOND, INCLUDING MEETING ME AT THE PLANE WITH MY RENTAL CAR." And Savvy Aviator's Mike Busch wrote, "NOT ONLY DOES COOK AVIATION HAVE AMONG THE LOWEST FUEL PRICES IN THE REGION ($3.37/GAL FOR 100LL AS THIS IS WRITTEN), BUT ITS COURTESY CREW CARS ARE NEW CADILLACS! AND UNLIKE MOST FBOS, COOK WILL LET YOU KEEP THE CAR OVERNIGHT WHEN YOU REST OVER NIGHT."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to COOK AVIATION, INC. at KBMG, Bloomington, IN.
Two separate submissions offered strong praise for Cook. RAY ANDRAKA told us, "SERVICE ABOVE AND BEYOND, INCLUDING MEETING ME AT THE PLANE WITH MY RENTAL CAR." And Savvy Aviator's Mike Busch wrote, "NOT ONLY DOES COOK AVIATION HAVE AMONG THE LOWEST FUEL PRICES IN THE REGION ($3.37/GAL FOR 100LL AS THIS IS WRITTEN), BUT ITS COURTESY CREW CARS ARE NEW CADILLACS! AND UNLIKE MOST FBOS, COOK WILL LET YOU KEEP THE CAR OVERNIGHT WHEN YOU REST OVER NIGHT."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to HOUMA JET CENTER at KHUM, Houma, LA.
CAROL SCANLON told us, "THE BEST FBO RED CARPET TREATMENT AND FUEL PRICES IN THE COUNTRY. THEY NOT ONLY TAKE CARE OF YOUR PLANE THE SERVICE TO THE PILOT AND CREW IS WONDERFUL. THEIR EXTRA CARING TOUCH IS ONE THAT MAKES YOU PLAN TO STOP THERE ON EVERY CROSS COUNTRY TRIP."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to HOUMA JET CENTER at KHUM, Houma, LA.
CAROL SCANLON told us, "THE BEST FBO RED CARPET TREATMENT AND FUEL PRICES IN THE COUNTRY. THEY NOT ONLY TAKE CARE OF YOUR PLANE THE SERVICE TO THE PILOT AND CREW IS WONDERFUL. THEIR EXTRA CARING TOUCH IS ONE THAT MAKES YOU PLAN TO STOP THERE ON EVERY CROSS COUNTRY TRIP."
ARNOLD BRONSON told us, "MY HEADSET DIED AS I WAS PREPARING FOR TAKEOFF. THEY LOANED ME A HEADSET AND SUGGESTED THAT NEXT TIME SOMEONE FLIES INTO TAOS THEY COULD RETURN IT. I RETURNED IT VIA UPS. THEY WERE EXTREMELY COURTEOUS AND HELPFUL AND SAVED THE DAY FOR ME."
ARNOLD BRONSON told us, "MY HEADSET DIED AS I WAS PREPARING FOR TAKEOFF. THEY LOANED ME A HEADSET AND SUGGESTED THAT NEXT TIME SOMEONE FLIES INTO TAOS THEY COULD RETURN IT. I RETURNED IT VIA UPS. THEY WERE EXTREMELY COURTEOUS AND HELPFUL AND SAVED THE DAY FOR ME."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to LEBANON AVIATION SERVICES at KLBO, Lebanon, MO.
RON BAAKE wrote in to tell us, "THEY ARE FRIENDLY, THEY HAVE A VERY CLEAN FACILITY WITH FREE FOOD AND DRINKS. THEY ARE WILLING TO HELP YOU OUT WITHOUT QUESTION. THEY HAVE CONVENIENT HOURS."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to LEBANON AVIATION SERVICES at KLBO, Lebanon, MO.
RON BAAKE wrote in to tell us, "THEY ARE FRIENDLY, THEY HAVE A VERY CLEAN FACILITY WITH FREE FOOD AND DRINKS. THEY ARE WILLING TO HELP YOU OUT WITHOUT QUESTION. THEY HAVE CONVENIENT HOURS."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to CROTTS AIRCRAFT at KDDC, Dodge City, Kansas.
ALAN OCHS wrote in to tell us, "THE STAFF AT CROTTS AIRCRAFT ARE THE BEST. THEY ALWAYS GO THE EXTRA MILE TO KEEP PEOPLE FLYING. I HAVE SEEN THEM COME OUT AFTER HOURS, ON SUNDAY, TO HELP PILOTS IF YOU NEED A FUEL STOP, OR JUST A CUP OF COFFEE, IN THE MIDWEST ,THIS IS A GOOD PLACE."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to CROTTS AIRCRAFT at KDDC, Dodge City, Kansas.
ALAN OCHS wrote in to tell us, "THE STAFF AT CROTTS AIRCRAFT ARE THE BEST. THEY ALWAYS GO THE EXTRA MILE TO KEEP PEOPLE FLYING. I HAVE SEEN THEM COME OUT AFTER HOURS, ON SUNDAY, TO HELP PILOTS IF YOU NEED A FUEL STOP, OR JUST A CUP OF COFFEE, IN THE MIDWEST ,THIS IS A GOOD PLACE."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to AIATC at KAAF, Apalachicola, Fla.
BILL JOHNSON wrote in to say, "I HAVE BEEN GOING TO APALACHICOLA FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE AVWEB FBO OF THE WEEK PROGRAM PROMPTED ME TO REALIZE JUST HOW WELL WE ARE TREATED AT AIATC. BILL RUIC AND HIS STAFF ARE FRIENDLY, EAGER TO HELP WITH ANYTHING AND PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OVERALL EXPERIENCE."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to AIATC at KAAF, Apalachicola, Fla.
BILL JOHNSON wrote in to say, "I HAVE BEEN GOING TO APALACHICOLA FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THE AVWEB FBO OF THE WEEK PROGRAM PROMPTED ME TO REALIZE JUST HOW WELL WE ARE TREATED AT AIATC. BILL RUIC AND HIS STAFF ARE FRIENDLY, EAGER TO HELP WITH ANYTHING AND PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT OVERALL EXPERIENCE."
TED GULLIA wrote in to say, "FOR THE LAST 3-4 YEARS, I PLAN MY N-S TRIPS WITH A STOP AT MTV. ALTHOUGH I STOP 4-6 TIMES A YEAR (2-3 TRIPS, ONCE EACH WAY) I AM GREETED AS IF I WAS THEIR BEST CUSTOMER. I FLY A CHEROKEE ARROW SO MY FUEL PURCHASES HARDLY COMPARE WITH THE HEAVY IRON."
TED GULLIA wrote in to say, "FOR THE LAST 3-4 YEARS, I PLAN MY N-S TRIPS WITH A STOP AT MTV. ALTHOUGH I STOP 4-6 TIMES A YEAR (2-3 TRIPS, ONCE EACH WAY) I AM GREETED AS IF I WAS THEIR BEST CUSTOMER. I FLY A CHEROKEE ARROW SO MY FUEL PURCHASES HARDLY COMPARE WITH THE HEAVY IRON."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to AIRFLITE at KLGB, Long Beach, Calif.
TED MONCURE wrote in to say, "AIRFLITE HAS THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF CUSOTOMER SERVICE. THEY LITERALLY ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET WHEN YOU ARRIVE, WHETHER YOU ARE IN A GV OR A 172. THEIR FACILITY IS TOP NOTCH, AND EVERYONE HAS A SMILE ON THEIR FACE."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to AIRFLITE at KLGB, Long Beach, Calif.
TED MONCURE wrote in to say, "AIRFLITE HAS THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF CUSOTOMER SERVICE. THEY LITERALLY ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET WHEN YOU ARRIVE, WHETHER YOU ARE IN A GV OR A 172. THEIR FACILITY IS TOP NOTCH, AND EVERYONE HAS A SMILE ON THEIR FACE."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon was awarded Monday to SILVER WINGS at KLEW, Auburn, Maine.
SCOTT D HIGGINS wrote in to say, "SILVER WINGS IS BRAND NEW AND REALLY STRIVING TO BUILD A CUSTOMER BASE. OWNER AND PILOT DOUG POHL HAS PULLED OUT ALL THE STOPS TO MAKE THIS THE FINEST IN THE STATE. NOT ONLY THE NICEST FACILITIES BUT THE FUEL PRICES ARE THE LOWEST IN MAINE."
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to SILVER WINGS at KLEW, Auburn, Maine.
SCOTT D HIGGINS wrote in to say, "SILVER WINGS IS BRAND NEW AND REALLY STRIVING TO BUILD A CUSTOMER BASE. OWNER AND PILOT DOUG POHL HAS PULLED OUT ALL THE STOPS TO MAKE THIS THE FINEST IN THE STATE. NOT ONLY THE NICEST FACILITIES BUT THE FUEL PRICES ARE THE LOWEST IN MAINE."
Thanks to all the pilots and AVweb readers who took time to nominate their favorite FBOs in our "FBO of the Week" contest. Today's ribbon finds its target in Florida.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to FALCON TRUST AIR at KTMB, Kendall-Tamiami executive airport, Miami, Florida.
LILLIAN LEBLANC filed direct, "THIS FBO IS TRULY THE TAJ MAHAL OF GENERAL AVIATION. THE BRAND NEW, MULTIMILLION DOLLAR FACILITY, OPENED IN JUNE 2005, RAISES THE BAR FOR THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY. THIS FBO IS WORTH A TRIP JUST TO TOUR THE FACILITY - BELIEVE ME, THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT ANYWHERE."
Thanks to all the pilots and AVweb readers who took time to nominate their favorite FBOs in our "FBO of the Week" contest. Today's ribbon finds its target in Florida.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to FALCON TRUST AIR at KTMB, Kendall-Tamiami executive airport, Miami, Florida.
LILLIAN LEBLANC filed direct, "THIS FBO IS TRULY THE TAJ MAHAL OF GENERAL AVIATION. THE BRAND NEW, MULTIMILLION DOLLAR FACILITY, OPENED IN JUNE 2005, RAISES THE BAR FOR THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY. THIS FBO IS WORTH A TRIP JUST TO TOUR THE FACILITY - BELIEVE ME, THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT ANYWHERE."
Thanks to all the pilots and AVweb readers who took time to nominate their favorite FBOs in our "FBO of the Week" contest. Today's ribbon finds its target in Michigan.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to ACKER AVIATION at 48D, Clare Municipal Airport, Michigan.
MARCELAINE LEWIS put it simply, "THE WELCOME MAT SAYS IT ALL. IT'S A RUNWAY LEADING RIGHT IN THE DOOR. IF YOU'VE MADE YOUR POSITION REPORTS 10 MILES OUT, YOU ARE GREETED BY THE FRAGRANCE OF A FRESHLY BAKED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE! SMILING AIRPORT MANAGER."
Thanks to all the pilots and AVweb readers who took time to nominate their favorite FBOs in our "FBO of the Week" contest. Today's ribbon finds its target in Michigan.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to ACKER AVIATION at 48D, Clare Municipal Airport, Michigan.
MARCELAINE LEWIS put it simply, "THE WELCOME MAT SAYS IT ALL. IT'S A RUNWAY LEADING RIGHT IN THE DOOR. IF YOU'VE MADE YOUR POSITION REPORTS 10 MILES OUT, YOU ARE GREETED BY THE FRAGRANCE OF A FRESHLY BAKED CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE! SMILING AIRPORT MANAGER."
Thanks to all the pilots and AVweb readers who took time to nominate their favorite FBOs in our "FBO of the Week" contest. Today's ribbon finds its target in Louisianna.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to MILLION AIR, NEW ORLEANS at NEW in New Orleans, LA.
RICK STOUDER wrote us to say, "I AM BASED AT MILLION AIR (NEW). HOWEVER, WITH THE AIRPORT BEING COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY HURRICANE KATRINA I THINK WHAT MILLION AIR HAS DONE IS PHENOMINAL. EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE LOST A TON OF MONEY, THEIR COMMITTMENT TO THE AVIATION COMMUNITY AND THEIR ..."
Thanks to all the pilots and AVweb readers who took time to nominate their favorite FBOs in our "FBO of the Week" contest. Today's ribbon finds its target in Florida.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to BANYAN AIR SERVICE at FXE in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Jim Alkire wrote us to say, "WE FLY OUR CESSNA 180 INTO FXE FOR OUR ANNUAL CRUISE VACATION AND HAVE REPEATEDLY RECIEVED OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND PROFESSIONALISM FROM BANYAN. OUR RENTAL CAR IS PULLED UP TO THE PLANE AS THE PROP STOPS. THEIR LINEMEN SEEM GENUINELY HAPPY THAT WE ARE THERE..."
John Austin wrote us to say, "I fly a 206 but am treated like I came in a jet!" ... "they bring my rental car out on the ramp, assist with my luggage" ... and when there for a brief visit "have been generous with a courtesy car."
Keep those nominations coming.
AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Thanks to all the pilots and AVweb readers who took time to nominate their favorite FBOs in our "FBO of the Week" contest. Today's ribbon finds its target in Georgia.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Preferred Jet Center at KRYY in Atlanta, Georgia.
John Austin wrote us to say, "I fly a 206 but am treated like I came in a jet!" ... "they bring my rental car out on the ramp, assist with my luggage" ... and when there for a brief visit "have been generous with a courtesy car."
Thanks to all the pilots and AVweb readers who took time to nominate their favorite FBOs in our "FBO of the Week" contest. From nearly 50 nominations, today's ribbon finds its target in Tennessee.
AVweb's "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Shelbyville Municipal Airport at KSYI in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
Marc Meuller wrote us to say, "Shelbyville is run by a pilot who knows how to make pilots feel welcome" ... "tie down is free" ... and "fuel prices are the lowest in the area."
Keep those nominations coming. AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
Thanks to all the pilots and AVweb readers who took time to nominate their favorite FBOs in our first-ever "FBO of the Week" contest. From nearly 50 nominations we've received since announcing the contest on Thursday, our first blue ribbon finds its target today.
AVweb's first "FBO of the Week" ribbon goes to Wilson Air Center at KMEM in Memphis, Tennessee. Click "more" to see why.
Keep those nominations coming. AVweb is actively seeking out the best FBO's in the country and another one, submitted by you, will be spotlighted here next Monday!
FBO of the Week March 8, 2006 AVweb's "FBO of the Week" contest is sponsored by Aviation Safety magazine, the monthly journal of risk management and accident prevention.
We need your help to identify and acknowledge the best FBOs in the world. Whether it's your local FBO or a recent fuel stop, tell us what made it a memorable (or not so memorable) visit. It's easy to take the survey. Simply click on this link and answer the survey questions. There’s also a space for any comments you'd like to make.
