Submitted by Louis Goldman
October 19, 2015 9:30 a.m.
The following is about City Resolution 2015-139 [before the city commission at its Tuesday, October 20 regular meeting] concerning a second FBO/Welcome Center at the local airport and the articles that have been written in both the Fernandina Observer and the News Leader.
First of all, as a former member of the Airport Advisory Committee (AAC), let me state that my opinion is – the City should not have any part in building a Welcome Center at the airport. If you have ever been into a Fixed Based Operation (FBO) you will find that all of the FBOs have their own Welcome Centers plus areas for pilots to check the weather, do their flight planning and file their flight plans. The size of the Welcome Center will depend on the size of the FBO and the volume of traffic at the airport where the FBO is located. Typically, Cities will only get involved with Welcome Centers when they, the City or an Airport Authority, is the operator of the FBO. Fernandina Beach, since it does not operate the FBO, should stay out of the Welcome Center business and forego their dream of a public/private partnership at the airport
Several years ago there was discussion by the AAC for a structure that would house both a fire station and a terminal (Welcome Center) building but it was turned down because there was a question about funding the equipment and personnel for the fire station and also no one liked the connotation of the word “Terminal”. Call it whatever you want – we didn’t need a terminal building back then and we don’t need or have any use for a Welcome Center now. The FBOs on the field will provide all of the Welcome Center services that are needed for our airport and at their own expense.
Here’s what the airport does need – two FBOs, side by side on the north ramp. Each FBO will have their own ramp space for airplanes, their own parking lot for cars, their own fuel farm, whatever office and hanger space they feel that they need and whatever size “Welcome Center” that they want to build. That puts the FBOs on a level playing field and the competition for business will be good for both the local pilots and transient aircraft.
So, in my opinion, the steps to a reasonable solution for peace at the airport would be –
- Get rid of Resolution 2015-139. I’m not sure if it gets voted down or cancelled but I’m sure that the City Attorney can figure how to make it go away. And
- Sign a lease with the other FBO – 8 Flags Aviation – for the balance of the north
ramp. The balance being that part of the ramp not leased to McGill. Now both
FBOs should be on a level playing field with 8 Flags building whatever they feel is necessary for their operation and McGill doing the same.
Now, if the City feels that they should have a building on the airport I would be in favor of an administrative building that would have offices for the airport manager, some rental offices for possibly a rental car agency and/or aviation oriented businesses and space for a small diner or cafe. It might be possible to repurpose the grant from DOT for the Welcome Center to money to build the administrative building.
PS. Of the three enterprise funds that we are most familiar with – two, the golf course and the marina have full time managers and are losing money and the airport is and has been making money for several years. Yes, the airport operates in the black but the money does not go into the general fund, it stays in the airport account. It is also my opinion there is an urgent need for the City to hire a competent, full time Airport Manager. A manager with a degree in Aviation Management and preferably a person with a few years of management experience. This will not cost the City since the manager is paid from the airport account. If fact, the proper manager should be able to develop our airport to be one of the best general aviation airports in the State.
Editor’s Note: Lou Goldman, a native Floridian, moved to Fernandina Beach in 1996 from Daytona Beach. He is an FAA licensed pilot and since 1959 has logged over 3,000 hours of flight time. For 10 years he served on City of Fernandina Beach Airport Advisory Committee.
This makes so much sense Lou. I never could understand why our little airport needed a lavish so-called “welcome center.” They keep saying it won’t cost the city a dime but I find that preposterous…..in the end it always does. If the airport is properly managed, the FBO’s should be able to build their own welcome centers or spruce up what they already have. Did they do any research on how many pilots hang around at the airport? Who would actually use same? Or, is it a place for locals to hang out?
Amen! A huge thank you to Lou Goldman who comes from a position of competence and credibility with regard to this topic. He articulates very well the sentiments of many of us who see the same issues. Take note FBCC and consider a change to your current flight plan now. It is not too late to follow Mr. Goldman’s very wise and well articulated suggestions.
A well thought out and articulated opinion. Certainly the FBCC has no concept of what is needed or how to go about based on the plan they are now considering. I wholeheartedly agree that Resolution 2015-139 should be voted down. Stop wasting the Fernandina Beach taxpayers money!
I welcome Lou’s comments on a “welcome center.” As usual the man makes a lot of sense.
Mr. Goldman’s suggestions for our airport, including hiring an experienced, qualified Airport Manager; operating with two FBO’s; and the city disengaging from building a welcome center at the airport, are so sensible they are scary. City Commissioners, remember that elegant solutions are often simple. We don’t need our airport planning to turn into another multi-year waterfront planning effort, we don’t need more studies or lawsuits, nor do we need additional fees and taxes. Your lucid, pragmatic consideration of suggestions like Mr. Goldman’s would be highly valued by the citizens of Fernandina Beach.
I absolutely agree with Lou, and I also want to point out that public entities, also known as the government, should stay out of concerns that are better run by private enterprise. When government steps in and attempts operate as a business, it creates monopoly situations and the best solutions don’t come to fruition.
Must agree – what is the “NEED” when the FBO is even better than I expected for this size/volume field. Put the effort elsewhere. Can anyone explain the potential “profitability” for the effort other than someone getting paid to build, maintain and man it? I fear our nation is riddled with that kind of spending these days. It will cost someone something, there is no such thing as a free lunch –
“FBO is even better than I expected for this size/volume field. ”
Excellent point Craig. My comment is moot now as the deal was signed however, this concept is based on a projected outlandish increase in volume of aircraft operations over the next decade. I recall similar projections that had us all flying around in helicopters in the 50s. This project is based solely upon the stupid notion we are getting free money from some other government entity so let’s use it. My bet is since the facility will host city offices the city will pay some sort of rent which will make the PandL of the enterprise zone to look profitable.
Mr. Goldman’s ideas unfortunately have been ignored because they make sense.