A fixed-base operator ( FBO ) is an organization granted the right by an airport to operate at the airport and provide aeronautical services such as fueling, hangaring, tie-down, and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance , flight instruction , and similar services. In common practice, an FBO is the primary provider of support services to general aviation operators at a public-use airport and is on land leased from the airport, or, in rare cases, adjacent 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 FBOs doing business at airports of high to moderate traffic volume are non-governmental organizations, either privately or publicly held companies.
17-503: Harrods Aviation Limited (formerly known as Metro Business Aviation Ltd ) is a fixed-base operator and maintenance, repair, and operations service provider for business and corporate aviation in the United Kingdom with bases at London Luton Airport and London Stansted Airport . This article about an aviation -related organization is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Fixed-base operator Though
34-662: A customer service representative (CSR). At medium and large airports, FBOs are typically affiliated with one of the major aviation fuel suppliers and display the fuel supplier's sign prominently. At smaller airports, the FBO is often the airport operator, such as Alpha Aviation at Boundary bay Airport (CZBB) or a flying club. Within the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates some activities that may comprise an FBO such as
51-584: A new supervisor NATA Safety 1st Aircraft Flight Coordinator Training (AFCT) – This program provides basic knowledge in topics such as weather, airspace, aircraft weight and balance and much more for flight coordinators working in a Part 91, 135 or 91K environment The NATA Safety 1st Program also operates the Ground Audit Standard and Registry. The standard was established to create a consistent operational safety standard for fixed-base operators, airports, and other service providers while increasing
68-790: Is the public policy group that represents the interests of the general aviation business community before the Congress and federal, state and local government agencies. NATA, founded in 1940, represents nearly 2,300 aviation businesses. NATA's member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military. They also directly serve the traveling public by providing fuel, on-demand air charter, aircraft rental, storage, and flight training. Other services include aircraft maintenance, parts sales, and line support as well as business aircraft or fractional ownership fleet management. NATA member companies also provide airline baggage and cargo handling services. In addition to giving
85-410: Is to empower its members to be safe and successful aviation businesses. The NATA Safety 1st Program is a key component in achieving that mission. The Safety 1st Program provides safety related resources as well as the following online training programs that are utilized across the aviation industry: NATA Safety 1st Professional Line Service Training (PLST) – This program has become the "standard" across
102-493: 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 has decreased since the 2006 survey, which counted 3,346 FBOs. National Air Transportation Association Jason S. Miller The National Air Transportation Association ( NATA )
119-674: The FAA, 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
136-513: The FBO industry for the initial and recurrent training of line service technicians. The PLST includes 8 online training modules and exams as well as hands-on training and practical exam components. NATA Safety 1st Line Service Supervision & Training Management Online (Supervisor Online) – An FAA authorized Aviation Fueling Safety Course in Fire Safety the supervisor online provides the needed foundations in safety, leadership and training for
153-616: The association's constituents a voice in Washington, D.C., NATA membership offers a number of ancillary benefits including its annual Aviation Business & Legislative Conference, Congressional Reception and Air Charter Summit and its highly regarded Safety 1st Professional Line Service Training (PLST) program. Considered the industry standard in line service training program, the PLST program has instructed over 16,000 line service specialists in safe aircraft handling procedures. NATA's mission
170-407: The authorization of repair stations, flight training, and air taxi/air carrier services. However, there are no federal regulatory standards covering all FBOs. The FAA has defined an FBO as "a commercial entity providing aeronautical services such as fueling, maintenance, storage, ground and flight instruction, etc., to the public." The United States Department of Transportation , in cooperation with
187-550: The end of World War I in November 1918, civil aviation in the United States was primarily unregulated and made up of "barnstormers ," transient pilots flying inexpensive military surplus aircraft from city to city and often landing in farm fields on the outskirts of a town because airports were scarce at that time. The traveling aviators offered airplane rides and aerobatic flight demonstrations frequently collaborating as " flying circuses " by performing impromptu airshows for
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#1732781082622204-412: The following: Though not required, fixed-base operators generally also provide at least basic auxiliary services to pilots, flight crew, and passengers such as restroom facilities, telecommunication services, and waiting areas. General aviation FBOs (commonly in the U.S.) sometimes provide courtesy cars that can be used for free or little cost by flight crews mostly for short trips from the airport and
221-402: The overall safety level of these operations. In addition to its Safety 1st program, NATA also publishes the quarterly Aviation Business Journal, dedicated to the core businesses of NATA members, including: fuel and line services, aircraft charter and management, aircraft maintenance, flight training, and airline services. NATA also sponsors a Workers Compensation Insurance Program which rewards
238-508: The surrounding city area. Larger and better equipped FBOs may additionally offer food vending and restaurant facilities, ground transportation arrangements by taxi/limousine, shuttle van, flight planning and weather information areas (computer- or telephone-based), rest lounges and showers, aviation supplies shop (selling navigation charts , manuals, or in-flight comfort items), access to in-flight catering, and accommodations reservations or concierge services for both crew and passengers through
255-614: The term fixed-base operator originated in the United States, the term has become more common in the international aviation industry as business and corporate aviation has grown. The term has not been officially defined as an international standard, but there have been recent uses of the term in International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) publications such as Implementing the Global Aviation Safety Roadmap . After
272-498: The townsfolk and 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 location. With passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926 and its resulting requirements for the licensing of pilots, aircraft maintenance requirements, and regulations in training standards, the transient nature of civil aviation
289-418: Was curtailed. The pilots and mechanics who made their living on the road began establishing permanent businesses at the growing number of airports appearing throughout the United States. These were termed fixed-base operations to distinguish them from the transient businesses that had been common prior to 1926. Fixed-base operators support a wide range of aeronautical activities which may include one or more of
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