General Aviation Operator Groups Take Fight to Protect BARR

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Leading organizations representing general aviation (GA) operators moved ahead with a court challenge to the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) decision to dismantle the Block Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program and announced the establishment of a fund to support the legal fight.
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When Pricing Fuel, Use Numbers to Your Advantage

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We know the pricing game all too well. Gas stations and auto dealerships have conditioned us to react to pricing of a product or service by offering a perception of a good deal.

In the FBO fuel pricing arena, we tend to play the same game.

In a previous blog post, FBO Fuel Pricing: Seeking a Silver Bullet, we discussed some pricing theory and came up with some ideas to find the silver bullet — which is the best price.

In the FBO business today, some customers call ahead for fuel prices, seek to use contract fuel suppliers and try to negotiate when they arrive on your ramp. We would like our customers to believe that our prices are well thought out and not just some arbitrary posted numbers.

Knowing how customers interpret numbers can help your FBO make stronger pricing decisions. What we would like to discuss here are some thoughts that go through people’s minds when they are looking to purchase.

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Business Aircraft Market Recovering Despite Economic Woes

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While doubts persist about the United States in an economic recovery, the business aviation sector is not following suit. For instance, late-model, large-cabin, long-range aircraft are selling at or above values published in the Aircraft Bluebook.
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NBAA Welcomes News of IS-BAO Restructuring, New Management Team

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The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed an announcement from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) regarding the evolution of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO), the worldwide safety standard for business aviation operations, and the new management team named to support the program.
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David Mittleman Moves to Avfuel as District Sales Manager

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David Mittleman has joined Avfuel Corp. as district sales manager for the U.S. North Central Region, covering Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.

Mittleman will deal directly with FBOs and corporate flight departments, build relationships and find new ways to increase market share and add value for customers and prospects.

“I live and breathe the philosophy that if you are passionate about what you do and strive to always do your best, you will exceed the expectations of your current customers and earn the business of your prospects,” Mittleman said. “Avfuel lives and breathes that same philosophy at every level of the organization.”

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Coaching Provides Valuable Seasoned Advice

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At some point in our lives, we all need a little coaching to get through the task ahead of us.

I remember when my dad took the training wheels off my bike and encouraged me to keep the handlebars straight as he ran alongside on my first solo ride.

High school football and baseball coaches shaped the way I performed on the field and taught me valuable lessons about life along the way.

As a student pilot, my instructor coached me through turns and stalls and built up my confidence for the eventual solo flight.

After a couple of decades of developing marketing plans for companies such as Cessna and Fairchild Aircraft, I had the opportunity in the year 2000 to create a public relations campaign for the grand opening of a Mercury Air Center location in Burbank, Calif. My client was John Enticknap, who served as president of the 21-location FBO chain. 

I didn’t have a lot of experience in the FBO business back then, but under John’s tutelage, I’ve been spending the last 11 years soaking up his vast knowledge of the FBO business.

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