A aviation & planes forum. AviationBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AviationBanter forum » rec.aviation newsgroups » Soaring
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

"Based Aircraft Fee"?



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old July 7th 05, 12:56 PM
Jim Kellett
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default "Based Aircraft Fee"?

A Club in SSA Region IV, operating at a public airport, is facing the
imposition of a "Based Aircraft Fee" in addition to hangar rental.

Is anyone aware of any public airport, one at which gliders operate or not,
that charges a fee, in addition to tiedown or hangar fee, for "basing" the
aircraft there? ("Basing" means in residence for more than five days . . .)

PLEASE REPLY PRIVATE rather than to the list (or reply private in addition
to the list)

Thanks in advance.

Jim Kellett


  #2  
Old July 7th 05, 02:34 PM
F.L. Whiteley
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Jim Kellett wrote:

A Club in SSA Region IV, operating at a public airport, is facing the
imposition of a "Based Aircraft Fee" in addition to hangar rental.

Is anyone aware of any public airport, one at which gliders operate or
not, that charges a fee, in addition to tiedown or hangar fee, for
"basing" the
aircraft there? ("Basing" means in residence for more than five days . .
.)

PLEASE REPLY PRIVATE rather than to the list (or reply private in addition
to the list)

Thanks in advance.

Jim Kellett

Googling a bit, it looks like there are variations on the theme. Some are
based on gross weight, reduced or no fee below certain gross. Others that
charge a based fee also waive landing fees. Certainly nothing new in
airport operations, within or outside the USA. Many airport managers are
on an upward career path, or want to be. Any body figured out this one,
where he came from and thinks he's going? He still answers to a local
airport board. It's probably their decision and a response to lower
overall fuel sales or some other budgetary strain. Locally, we have a
county/city airport 50/50 partnership. Over the years, the county has had
more money for the airport than the city, so the city has had to divert
funds from other city projects for match county contributions. Who needs
storm drains anyway? (The one under the airport is 10ft in diameter BTW).

Here in Colorado, through a few years of drought, the public responded with
water conservation. The result, higher water fees, since the water
districts weren't selling enough water to pay their bloated salaries and
staff. Increases have been way higher than the rate of inflation. 60-80%
increases in the past three years are not uncommon.

If fuel prices pinch general aviation, it's likely that local public
airports will seek new revenue streams, especially if fuel consumption
plunges. Locally, the markup on 100LL on self-serve is at least $0.65/gal
and $1.45/gal on full serve, and probably more.

Although this sounds upbeat at first and is favorable though neutral as far
as the issue's concerned, http://tinyurl.com/bropl, I don't see any
acceptance or movement on the part of management, nor the FAA.
Management's already pulled the 'safety card', so it's a slippery, uphill
slope to get things back. We had a local small, private airport put back
into use as an ultralight/hangglide park. It had only been off the
sectionals for a short while. Big NIMBY troubles. Historical use was of
no value when it got to court. BTW, Barry Aviation ran into exactly this
same problem in Florda and lost use of the grass strip there. As a result,
they are no longer in the ride business there.

In both cases (if they aren't the same case), it might be tactful to suggest
that driving away gliders will impact their annual numbers by hundreds or
thousands of transitions, dropping the entire airport into another class as
far as federal funds are concerned. An economic analysis might show it
would be in the club's interest to acquire a site and move on. Sod their
rents, fees, and fuel sales. Has the AOPA offered assistance or been
asked?

Frank Whiteley
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Homebuilt Aircraft Frequently Asked Questions List (FAQ) Ron Wanttaja Home Built 0 September 2nd 04 05:15 AM
Homebuilt Aircraft Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Ron Wanttaja Home Built 0 June 2nd 04 07:17 AM
Homebuilt Aircraft Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Ron Wanttaja Home Built 0 May 1st 04 07:29 PM
Homebuilt Aircraft Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Ron Wanttaja Home Built 0 April 5th 04 03:04 PM
Homebuilt Aircraft Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ) Ron Wanttaja Home Built 0 July 4th 03 04:50 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:31 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AviationBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.