fbo Landing Fees vs based aircraft

[Let'sgoflying!]

Is there a precedent or accepted practice for this scenario?

Tiny, slow, rural airport with rule-mongering leadership.
Proposes to address ‘issue’ of jet traffic using facilities without purchasing their (rather expensive) fuel (they don’t offer CAA or Avcard discounts).

The proposal is $150 fee.
I am wondering if it is common to allow based-aircraft an exception?

 

[bonefishpete]

If they take federal funds then the FAA has something to say about that.

 

[RyanB]

If they take federal funds then the FAA has something to say about that.

How so? If $150 is fair and competitive then there’s nothing prohibiting them from charging it.

I am wondering if it is common to allow based-aircraft an exception?

Yes. Managers have a based aircraft list they have to submit to the FAA yearly. If they’re using an automated system to implement these charges, the based aircraft should be on the registry and will exempt them from those charges, but I can’t speak for your specific management choices.

 

[Dana]

Yes, it is customary to not charge landing or other fees to aircraft based there, as they're already paying via hangar or tiedown charges. Also customary to waive fees with fuel purchase.

 

[4CornerFlyer]

Yes, it is customary to not charge landing or other fees to aircraft based there, as they're already paying via hangar or tiedown charges. Also customary to waive fees with fuel purchase.

Landing fees imposed by an airport authority or municipality are almost never waived with a fuel purchase. These are still relatively rare for small non-commercial aircraft, but are growing in number lately. FBO fees called ramp, handling, service fees etc often are waived with other purchases.
Jon

 

[flyingron]

..."Lack of competition fees."

 

[SCCutler]

An airport subject to FAA Grant Assurances may charge a lesser fee or waive fees for based aircraft, but should be prepared to demonstrate that the based aircraft are contributing in reasonably equivalent ways through (for example) hangar rental and fuel purchases.

Of course, if they were really "on the ball," they could almost certainly yield substantially more revenue by adjusting the fuel price downward, this incentivizing more (both transient and based) to buy fuel when they're on the ground at that airport.

 

[rockwoodrv9a]

I believe any airport that has taken public money should have a place to tie down for the day for free. Leasing out part of the tarmac to an FBO is fine but there should be a free space. I dont need a flagman to guide me in to park. If I spend the night, then I am ok to pay a nominal fee.

 

[murphey]

Here's what the Colorado Pilots Association is doing....published in this month's newsletter. Not sure if the airports are using PlanePass, the Vector company or not. There are 73 airports in Colorado, KDEN is the Class B aka DIA. KASE-Aspen, KEGE-Vail, KDRO-Durango, KTEX-Telluride, all 4 are the high-end, ski resorts. KLXV-Leadville and KAEJ-Buena Vista, neither of which I expected to have fees. Leadville doesn't have fuel price on AirNav. These are two favorites for lunch around here.