Fixed-base operator

Afixed-base operator(FBO) is an organization granted the right by anairportto 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 togeneral aviationoperators 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.

ThreeDornier 228ofAerocardalat the airline'sArturo Merino Benítez International Airportbase

Though the termfixed-base operatororiginated 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 inInternational Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO) publications such asImplementing the Global Aviation Safety Roadmap.

History of the term

After the end ofWorld War Iin 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 impromptuairshowsfor 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 theAir Commerce Actof 1926 and its resulting requirements for 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 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.

Services offered

Fixed-base operators support a wide range of aeronautical activities which may include one or more of the following:

• Sale ofaviation fuel– piston aircraft fuel (avgas) and/or turbine aircraft fuel (Jet-A or Jet A-1)
• Line services forgeneral aviationaircraft
• Air taxiandair charteroperations
• Scheduled or nonscheduledair carrierservices and support services
• Pilot training
• Aircraft rental andsightseeing
• Aircraft sales and service
• Aircraft storage (tie-down orhangar)
• Repair andaircraft maintenance
• Sale of aircraft parts
• Aerial photography
• Crop dustingand aerial applications
• Aerial advertisingandaerial survey

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 aviationFBOs (commonly in the U.S.) sometimes providecourtesy carsthat can be used for free or little cost by flight crews mostly for short trips from the airport and 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 planningand weather information areas (computer- or telephone-based), rest lounges and showers, aviation supplies shop (sellingnavigation charts,manuals, or in-flight comfort items), access to in-flight catering, and accommodations reservations orconciergeservices for both crew and passengers through acustomer service representative(CSR).

Around the world

Canada

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.

United States

Within the United States, theFederal Aviation Administration(FAA) regulates some activities that may comprise an FBO such as 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."

TheUnited States Department of Transportation,in cooperation with 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 theNational Air Transportation Associationor NATA, but is also partly represented by both theNational Business Aviation Association( NBA A) and theAircraft 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.