Fixed base operator
Encyclopedia
A Fixed-base operator or commonly abbreviated FBO is a term developed in the United States after the passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926. The Federal Aviation Administration
defines an FBO as A commercial business granted the right by the airport sponsor to operate on an airport and provide aeronautical services such as fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, etc.. In common practice, an FBO is a primary provider of support services to general aviation
operators at a public-use airport
either located on airport leasehold property or, in rare cases, adjacent to airport leasehold property as a through the fence operation
. In many smaller airports serving general aviation in remote or modest communities, the town itself may provide fuel services and operate a basic FBO facility. Most FBO operators doing business at airports of high to moderate traffic volume are non-governmental organizations, i.e. either privately or publicly held companies.
Though the term Fixed-base Operator originated in the United States, the term is becoming more common in the International aviation industry as business and corporate aviation grows. The term has not been officially defined as an international standard, there have been recent uses of the term in International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) publications such as Implementing the Global Aviation Safety Roadmap
in November 1918, civil aviation in the United States was primarily unregulated and was primarily made up of "Barnstormers" or transient pilots operating inexpensive military surplus aircraft from city-to-city, often landing in farm fields on the outskirts of a town as airports were scarce at that time. These traveling aviators offered airplane rides, aerobatic flight demonstrations, and frequently collaborated as "Flying Circuses" and performed impromptu airshows for the townsfolk, charging whatever the local economic conditions would allow. As a result, mechanics and early flight instructors moved around with the aircraft and had no established business in any one location.
With passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926 and its resulting requirements in the licensing of pilots, aircraft maintenance requirements, and regulations in training standards, the transient nature of civil aviation was curtailed. The pilots and mechanics who made their living on the road, began establishing permanent businesses, termed Fixed-Base Operations at the growing number of airports appearing throughout the United States as a way to distinguish permanent businesses from the transient businesses common prior to 1926.
Though not required, Fixed-Base Operators generally also provide at least basic auxiliary services to pilots, flight crew and passengers such as: restroom facilities, communication access (telephone, Internet access, fax), and waiting areas. Larger and better equipped Fixed-base Operators may additionally offer food vending/restaurant facilities, ground transportation arrangement (car lending, taxi/limousine, shuttle van, on-site car rental), flight planning and weather information areas (computer or telephone based), pilot/crew rest lounges & showers, aviation supplies shop (selling navigation charts, manuals, or in-flight comfort items), access to in-flight catering, and accommodations reservations / concierge
services for both crew and passengers through a Customer Services Representative (CSR).
(FAA) regulates some activities that may comprise an FBO such as the authorization or Repair Stations, Flight Training, and Air Taxi/Air Carrier Services, but the overarching term "FBO" has no regulatory standards through the Federal Government. The United States Department of Transportation in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration has the duty of establishing Minimum Standards for Commercial Aeronautical Activities and recommends implementation of these standards by the airport operator or agency (commonly referred to as the airport sponsor. The United States FBO Industry is represented nationally by the National Air Transportation Association
or NATA, but is also partly represented by both the National Business Aviation Association
(NBAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
(AOPA).
The number of U.S. businesses meeting the minimum criteria as an FBO is 3,138 as of April 2009 according to a survey conducted by Aviation Resource Group International (ARGI). The number is down from 3,346 as stated in the 2006 survey
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
defines an FBO as A commercial business granted the right by the airport sponsor to operate on an airport and provide aeronautical services such as fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, etc.. In common practice, an FBO is a primary provider of support services to general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
operators at a public-use airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
either located on airport leasehold property or, in rare cases, adjacent to airport leasehold property as a through the fence operation
Through the fence operation
In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration defines Residential Through-the-Fence or RTTF asAccess granted to a federally-obligated, public airfield from private, residential property or property zoned for residential use....
. In many smaller airports serving general aviation in remote or modest communities, the town itself may provide fuel services and operate a basic FBO facility. Most FBO operators doing business at airports of high to moderate traffic volume are non-governmental organizations, i.e. either privately or publicly held companies.
Though the term Fixed-base Operator originated in the United States, the term is becoming more common in the International aviation industry as business and corporate aviation grows. The term has not been officially defined as an international standard, there have been recent uses of the term in International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
(ICAO) publications such as Implementing the Global Aviation Safety Roadmap
History of the term
After the end of World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in November 1918, civil aviation in the United States was primarily unregulated and was primarily made up of "Barnstormers" or transient pilots operating inexpensive military surplus aircraft from city-to-city, often landing in farm fields on the outskirts of a town as airports were scarce at that time. These traveling aviators offered airplane rides, aerobatic flight demonstrations, and frequently collaborated as "Flying Circuses" and performed impromptu airshows for the townsfolk, charging whatever the local economic conditions would allow. As a result, mechanics and early flight instructors moved around with the aircraft and had no established business in any one location.
With passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926 and its resulting requirements in the licensing of pilots, aircraft maintenance requirements, and regulations in training standards, the transient nature of civil aviation was curtailed. The pilots and mechanics who made their living on the road, began establishing permanent businesses, termed Fixed-Base Operations at the growing number of airports appearing throughout the United States as a way to distinguish permanent businesses from the transient businesses common prior to 1926.
Services offered
Fixed-base operators support a wide range of aeronautical activities which may include one or more of the following:- Sale of Aviation Fuel - piston aircraft fuel (100LL or AvgasAvgasAvgas is an aviation fuel used to power piston-engine aircraft. Avgas is distinguished from mogas , which is the everyday gasoline used in cars and some non-commercial light aircraft...
) and/or turbine aircraft fuel (Jet-A or Jet A-1). - Line Services for General Aviation Aircraft
- Air taxi and Air Charter Operations.
- Scheduled or Nonscheduled Air Carrier Services & Support Service.
- Pilot Training.
- Aircraft Rental and Sightseeing.
- Aircraft Sales and Service.
- Aircraft Storage (Tie-down or Hangar).
- Repair and Maintenance of Aircraft.
- Sale of Aircraft Parts.
- Aerial Photography.
- Crop Dusting / Aerial Application.
- Aerial Advertising and Surveying.
Though not required, Fixed-Base Operators generally also provide at least basic auxiliary services to pilots, flight crew and passengers such as: restroom facilities, communication access (telephone, Internet access, fax), and waiting areas. Larger and better equipped Fixed-base Operators may additionally offer food vending/restaurant facilities, ground transportation arrangement (car lending, taxi/limousine, shuttle van, on-site car rental), flight planning and weather information areas (computer or telephone based), pilot/crew rest lounges & showers, aviation supplies shop (selling navigation charts, manuals, or in-flight comfort items), access to in-flight catering, and accommodations reservations / concierge
Concierge
A concierge is an employee who either works in shifts within, or lives on the premises of an apartment building or a hotel and serves guests with duties similar to those of a butler. The position can also be maintained by a security officer over the 'graveyard' shift. A similar position, known as...
services for both crew and passengers through a Customer Services Representative (CSR).
Fixed-base operators in the United States
Within the United States, the Federal Aviation AdministrationFederal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA) regulates some activities that may comprise an FBO such as the authorization or Repair Stations, Flight Training, and Air Taxi/Air Carrier Services, but the overarching term "FBO" has no regulatory standards through the Federal Government. The United States Department of Transportation in cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration has the duty of establishing Minimum Standards for Commercial Aeronautical Activities and recommends implementation of these standards by the airport operator or agency (commonly referred to as the airport sponsor. The United States FBO Industry is represented nationally by the National Air Transportation Association
National Air Transportation Association
The National Air Transportation Association , the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress, federal agencies and state governments. NATA's 2,000 member companies own, operate and service aircraft...
or NATA, but is also partly represented by both the National Business Aviation Association
National Business Aviation Association
National Business Aviation Association or NBAA, is a non-profit and nonpartisan 5016 corporation based in Washington, DC, United States. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies....
(NBAA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association is a Frederick, Maryland-based non-profit political organization. Incorporated on 15 May 1939, AOPA's membership consists mainly of general aviation pilots in the United States...
(AOPA).
The number of U.S. businesses meeting the minimum criteria as an FBO is 3,138 as of April 2009 according to a survey conducted by Aviation Resource Group International (ARGI). The number is down from 3,346 as stated in the 2006 survey