Ask AC-U-KWIK: What is Required to List my Business as an FBO?

I’m an airport manager in Montana. We have been listed in AC-U-KWIK for many years, but only my telephone number is listed as a contact for pilots. What is required to list my business as an FBO? I do maintenance and have a building the pilots use for flight planning.

We often are asked, “What is AC-U-KWIK’s definition of an FBO?” And, “Why can’t my business be listed as an FBO?” Our editors define an FBO as a physical building on the airport property that serves the interests of transient and local pilots and aircraft owners, and provides the storage and sale of avgas and/or jet A fuel.

Of course there are many airport facilities and businesses that don’t sell fuel. They serve pilots and aircraft owners in many different ways; there are maintenance shops, avionics shops and even flight schools that additionally offer the same amenities as traditional FBOs. However, if fuel is not sold at the airport, we list the airport manager’s phone number. In most cases he is the best person to speak with at smaller airports.

So you must have a permanent building that sells fuel to the general aviation community to be listed as an FBO.