Do you call an airport/FBO you intend to overnight at ahead of time?

[cowman]

Just curious what everyone's standard practice is.

I generally don't unless I need to arrange a rental car or have specific concerns/questions about things like fees/hangar availability.

 

[Aviator305]

I contact them by email every time, even if I already know the FBO, so that there are no surprise updated fees on departure.

 

[Jim Carpenter]

Sometimes, completely dependent on the situation. Unknown airport that I've never been to, probably, just so there are no surprises. Busy places, VGT, APA, VNY, SLC, no, and I'll even arrange my rental car through the car company without necessarily calling the FBO, they're used to that. If I need hangar, always. Quiet, small "semi-attended" fields, no, unless I require extra services.

 

[Jim K]

I do. Seems like half the time I get the "why are you bothering me?" vibe. About 25% of the time they seem glad that I called ahead and will take my info. About 25% of the time, they're super helpful and give me info about the area, ask if I need a car, etc. In the past, I've also shown up without calling ahead and felt like they were upset I didn't, so I always do now, in spite of getting the cold shoulder sometimes.

On one of our Texas trips, they called to let me know they were doing some electrical work and would be closing the runway, but would arrange to have it open for my arrival. Had I not let them know I was coming, that would've really screwed up the trip.

 

[eman1200]

Nope. Unless something looks ‘odd’ when looking up a new airport. Otherwise I don’t think I’ve ever done it.

 

[schmookeeg]

The bigger the airport, the more likely I am to call ahead first to calibrate the expected rogering I'll receive at the fee desk.

Also if i need to try to find a rental car or find out if they've heard of Uber at bumbleslap municipal.

 

[robin ardoin]

I prefer to keep my plane hangared on trips so I always call for availability.

 

[Racerx]

Emailed and called EYW. No response. I'll cross that one off the list and be happy with MTH who responded immediately.

A place I'm leaving overnight I'll usually call unless I've been there

 

[MonkeyClaw]

I typically call in case there is a special place they want me to park and to ask about fees (and fee waivers in case of fuel purchase).

 

[kyleb]

Yep. I need to know if tiedowns/fuel/etc are available and where to park for an overnight stay. I also like to confirm fbo open/close hours.

 

[cowman]

Emailed and called EYW. No response. I'll cross that one off the list and be happy with MTH who responded immediately.

A place I'm leaving overnight I'll usually call unless I've been there

Funny you mention those two airports, we were planning to go down there tomorrow but after checking the availability and rates we're now going VNC.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Just curious what everyone's standard practice is.

I generally don't unless I need to arrange a rental car or have specific concerns/questions about things like fees/hangar availability.

Seems when I stay somewhere overnight, I have at least one of those types of concerns, unless it was a enroute diversion.

 

[T Bird]

Funny you mention those two airports, we were planning to go down there tomorrow but after checking the availability and rates we're now going VNC.

The restaurant on the field is good but I also highly recommend the BBQ place 3 minutes down the road — Gold Rush BBQ

 

[wilkersk]

If I'm gonna RON I sure would call ahead. I've heard too many stories about guys parking in a "transient" spot only to learn those spots are actually controlled by the FBO who will hook up an tow it to where ever they want and then send you a bill in the mail. By calling at least you have a chance of knowing the applicable rules of their game.

 

[Tarheelpilot]

Yes but only on guard when en-route.