Know Before You Go!

Published in Midwest Flyer – December 2018/January 2019 issue

FREDERICK, MD – The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), along with five additional major aviation associations, jointly released the “Know Before You Go” best business practices. The joint release lays out a series of communications best practices, including publishing an online list of potential prices, fees, and charges that pilots may face when landing at an airport.

The joint release calls on fixed base operators (FBOs) to “move expeditiously to implement these practices,” but recognizes that certain providers face unique challenges and may need time to implement the new best practices. It also recommends customers contact FBOs directly, “so that operators can ask questions, know and evaluate their options, and make informed decisions.”

For almost two years AOPA has been investigating and working with local leaders to understand and fight the effect of egregious and often unknown FBO fees on airport accessibility. AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker said, “This is a major step in our work to ensure reasonable airport accessibility, and we hope that today’s announcement sends a unified message that FBOs need to be able to accurately tell all aviators what costs to expect before arriving at publicly funded airports.” Baker continued, “We believe that the united support of these principals both validates that there is an issue with pricing transparency and provides a reasonable path to meet customer expectations.”

The joint release was issued by the following aviation associations: AOPA, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Helicopter Association International, the National Air Transportation Association, and the National Business Aviation Association.

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