FBO Partners’ President Douglas Wilson spoke to industry leaders at the NATA Aviation Business Conference in June regarding the growing “FBO Leadership Gap,” the growing need for qualified FBO General Manager candidates. As 2020 approaches, an estimated 25% of FBO leadership positions may go unfulfilled- unless the industry takes action. Recruitment, Training and Mentorship may be a solution…but will it be enough?
Tell us your views.
Download the article (PDF)
What if a clumsy individual- or an accident prone one- was applying for a job at your FBO? How would you possibly know that the well-dressed, articulate candidate sitting right in front of you is accident prone? As “clumsy” is not often a skill listed on a resume, the answer is most employers have no idea what inherent safety behaviors a candidate will bring to the workplace. Thanks to the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), that dilemma is about to change. Contact us
Think your FBO offers a high-end travel experience? In FBO Partners’ latest article, President & Senior Partner Douglas Wilson had the opportunity to enjoy a truly unique, high-end travel experience outside the world of FBOs. Brainchild of international security expert and author Gavin de Becker, The Private Suite is an ultra-private, ultra-high end remote terminal offering the most convenient and secure processing experience for travelers arriving into, or departing from, LAX. And, while not an FBO, much can be learned from The Private Suite: Namely, that personalized service and security are not competing values. Contact us, and tell us your views.
The FAA recently released guidance regarding FBO fee structures at Federally-obligated airports. Of note is the FAA acknowledgement that airports themselves impact FBO pricing, through many terms found in FBO leases: Capital investment of the FBO in physical facilities, Federal and local policy requirements, insurance requirements, and increases in rents and other fees paid by the FBO. According to the FAA, “These factors may impact the economic vitality of an FBO. Contact us, and tell us your views.
Download the article (PDF)
AOPA has turned its guns on the FBO industry. In a misguided quest for lower prices and free parking, AOPA’s recent actions may alienate-not energize- a significant number of their members, including the FBO community at large. Contact us, and tell us your views.
Download the article (PDF)
Building the FBO Terminal of Tomorrow
Contact us, and tell us your views.
Download the article (PDF)
Partnerships between FBOs, airports and associations are key to overcoming negative impacts of TFRs. Contact us, and tell us your views.
Download the article (PDF)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FBO PARTNERS AND PARAGON AVIATION GROUP INK PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
January 30, 2017
Seattle, WA — FBO Partners, LLC, an aviation consultancy providing business management advisory services to FBOs has signed a partnership agreement with the Paragon Aviation Group, to provide additional resources and added value to the member FBOs of the Paragon Network. Under the agreement, FBO Partners becomes the exclusive FBO consultancy to Paragon Aviation Group, and Paragon Network member FBOs receive discounted rates for the expertise provided by FBO Partners.
Of the partnership, Doug Wilson, President of FBO Partners says, “Paragon Aviation Group represents a quality network- a group of strong, independent FBOs able to compete on a level playing field with the institutional FBO chains. There is a resurgence in the industry back towards the independents, and Paragon is on the leading edge of that movement.” Megan Barnes, Executive Vice President of Paragon Aviation Group, notes “FBO Partners is unlike any offering in the industry today- a professional approach to problem solving that is both intelligent and real-world, and an enormous value to our members.”
Both FBO Partners and Paragon Aviation Group have expanded in recent months. Senior Associates Jamie Wilson and Rikki Altenburg, both former FBO GMs from Washington-Dulles and Casper, WY respectively, joined FBO Partners as 2016 drew to a close, with the latter leading a new Customer Service training arm of the practice. Similarly, Paragon capped off a year of growth by adding new locations in late last year, including Ross Aviation in White Plains, and Tunica Air Center in Mississippi. “Our two organizations complement each other on many levels, and it’s great to formalize a partnership that strengthens the independent FBO business model,” adds Barnes.
Founded in 2014, FBO Partners is an aviation consultancy providing business management advisory services to FBOs. Specializing in FBO real estate, hangar subleasing, marketing, mergers & acquisitions, IS-BAH, and customer service among other disciplines, FBO Partners offers a full suite of FBO consultancy. For more information visit www.fbopartners.com
About Paragon Aviation Group
The Paragon Network is a distinguished membership of independent FBO’s that provide an elite experience to general aviation travelers around the world. Paragon Aviation Group performs a comprehensive audit of each facility and services offered to ensure the quality of the member base prior to any FBO joining The Paragon Network. Each member FBO must comply with a set of strategically developed core standards in order to remain in the Paragon Network, which is facilitated by Paragon Aviation Group.
Paragon Aviation Group is a family business comprised of Mike Delk, Megan Barnes and Molly LeBlanc. With their combined industry experience of over 75 years, they have introduced an exciting new industry platform for premier aviation service providers. For more information visit www.paragonaviationgroup.com
Douglas Wilson | FBO Partners, LLC |206.291.6335 | [email protected]
Many FBOs provide aircraft refueling services to scheduled air cargo operators, that much isn’t unusual. However, FBOs desirous of truly ground handling unscheduled, ad hoc air cargo have much to consider before jumping in with both feet. While ground handling fees may seem lucrative and the attendant large fuel uplift enticing, the rule of “be careful what you wish for” applies. Contact us, and tell us your views.
Download the article (PDF)
It is difficult to properly underscore the time and investment required in bringing a new certificate to life. And that- time and investment- is the rub. For an FBO embarking on bringing a new 135 certificate to market, even a single-pilot, single-airplane Part 135 certificate, a market study should be conducted to determine a cost benefit analysis, including a projected return on investment. Thousands will be spent, and a dedicated airplane and pilot procured. Contact us, and tell us your views.
Download the article (PDF)
Just like people, FBOs have a need and desire to remain relevant. And just like a child who has drawn a picture and seeks a parent’s recognition and approval, an FBO likewise needs to present the picture they have drawn, their unique narrative, and receive recognition in the form of patronage by their customers. Marketing, ergo, is that relentless feedback loop; the relentless pursuit of relevance. To lose relevance, is to no longer be needed, which is a very dangerous thing for a FBO.
