Handling and Ramp Fees in So Cal

[Skyatty]

My learning process as a pilot will continue indefinitely, which I expect, and I learn new things all the time concerning my Mooney’s operational capabilities and limitations, which I expect and enjoy - usually.  But every now and then I get slapped with something for which my only reaction is “Really?”  I have to make a trip to the Los Angeles area this week and all looks good for clear skies on the flight down and the return.  I will be staying in the San Fernando Valley so I started checking the FBOs at Burbank and Van Nuys to see what it will cost to park for 4 nights.  The first response I received was from an FBO at Van Nuys – after asking me the aircraft type, the response was “Handling would be $27.00 which you can waive if you purchase 25 gallons of gas or more. Parking per night is $101.50.”  $406 to park for four nights.  No hangar, just parking on the ramp - chocks in front of and in back of the nose gear tire presumably.  I went through several with very high fees and finally found one that does not charge anything at all.  No handling, no ramp fee, nada.  They just ask that you buy their fuel - and the fuel at that particular FBO is the lowest on the field.  I am told that at Santa Monica, the ramp fee is only $15 a day, but the weather and marine layer at SMO is more limiting.  Do you ever have the feeling that as pilots and aircraft owners we get kicked in the wallet far more than is reasonable?  Another report coming soon about my just-completed annual.  

[201er]

You know what I think it is... on fields with multiple FBOs, some of them are focused on executive jets while others on pistons and singles. The FBOs dealing with jets make so much on a fill up of Jet A that they just don't want to deal with us and make the fees absurd. Meanwhile one FBO picks up the slack and has reasonable fees and avgas for us. I've noticed this (not to the insane extent you mentioned though) by calling the competing FBOs on a field finding that one is significantly cheaper for small planes than the others.

[Carl S]

If you do not mind a little drive, try Lancaster (KWJF). It is about 40 minutes by car north of San Fernando Valley. The weather is usually clear and you can get rental cars like Enterprise. Barnes aviation was started by Pancho Barnes (if you remember "The Right Stuff" you may remember her as the owner of the "Happy Bottom Riding Club".)  The airport management might also get you a tie down spot. It used ot be pretty reasonable but I have not beeh there in a pretty long time.

If you have any avionics work you need done give Jeff at Hgh Desert Avionics a call, maybe he can work you in while you are down below in the valley. He was always fair with me, does great work and I'd recommend his work to anyone.

[thinwing]

hi skyatty...if you are concerned about a Marine Layer and costs...rather than lancaster....there is whitman north of van nueys that frequently escapes the marine layer that often settles over the La basin and van nueys and burbank...getting an instrument clearance out of van nueys is no big deal..a simple SID just like out of Heber City...100 bucks is too much even for an overnight hanger...these fbos will negotiate you know...just ask!!!..kpc....PS couldnt believe how much development over the Jordenelle reservoir when I was there last month....kpc

[flyboy0681]

Whiteman is a good alternative to Van Nuys but I'm not sure obtaining a rental car will be that easy since the town that it's located in, Pacoima, is pretty much a residential area.

 

I flew out of Van Nuys for many years and it's a top notch facility with an incredible history, but that quoted parking fee is beyond outrageous.

[MooneyMitch]

Quote: flyboy0681

Whiteman is a good alternative to Van Nuys but I'm not sure obtaining a rental car will be that easy since the town that it's located in, Pacoima, is pretty much a residential area.

 

I flew out of Van Nuys for many years and it's a top notch facility with an incredible history, but that quoted parking fee is beyond outrageous.

[flyboy0681]

Those are general ads for Enterprise and Avis. Knowing what I do about that area, the closest counters are probably at Burbank Airport, which I would say is about 6 miles away.

[OR75]

used Pentastar in VNY

great service, rental car was there waiting for me, bought fuel (around 25 gallons if i remember well) no fee.

highly recommend

 

[MooneyMitch]

Quote: flyboy0681

Those are general ads for Enterprise and Avis. Knowing what I do about that area, the closest counters are probably at Burbank Airport, which I would say is about 6 miles away.

[Skyatty]

Quote: thinwing

hi skyatty...if you are concerned about a Marine Layer and costs...rather than lancaster....there is whitman north of van nueys that frequently escapes the marine layer that often settles over the La basin and van nueys and burbank...getting an instrument clearance out of van nueys is no big deal..a simple SID just like out of Heber City...100 bucks is too much even for an overnight hanger...these fbos will negotiate you know...just ask!!!..kpc....PS couldnt believe how much development over the Jordenelle reservoir when I was there last month....kpc

[flyboy0681]

Quote: Skyatty

I think you are right about the FBOs and their attention to the bizjets.

[Skyatty]

Thanks for the suggestions.  WHP is a nice little airport but I think the area is a little shaky for my airplane to be outside for four days.  Fox Field in Lancaster is really too far but also a cool little field.

The good guys deserve a shout out.  OR75 is right.  Pentastar gets great reviews, has the lowest priced fuel on the field right now ($6.12 - doesn't hurt too much if you say it fast) and does not charge any fees.  I spoke to them last night and the guy laughed at the idea of a fee.  They just ask that you buy their gas.  Over at Burbank, Million Air charges $33 a day but will waive the fee one day for every 10 gallons of fuel you buy.  Seems fair.  I will burn somewhere between 35 and 40 gals on the trip down so should be a wash.

[MooneyMitch]

Thank you for the information on Pentastar.  That sounds terrific! 

 

[Skyatty]

Welcome Mitch.

[M016576]

Quote: OR75

used Pentastar in VNY

great service, rental car was there waiting for me, bought fuel (around 25 gallons if i remember well) no fee.

highly recommend

+1.  I've used them a few times. Top notch and VERY reasonable.  Highly recommended.

[Skybrd]

Quote: 201er

You know what I think it is... on fields with multiple FBOs, some of them are focused on executive jets while others on pistons and singles. The FBOs dealing with jets make so much on a fill up of Jet A that they just don't want to deal with us and make the fees absurd. Meanwhile one FBO picks up the slack and has reasonable fees and avgas for us. I've noticed this (not to the insane extent you mentioned though) by calling the competing FBOs on a field finding that one is significantly cheaper for small planes than the others.

[Antoni Deighton]

How about Camarillo (CMA). It's about 20 miles west of the valley. Less chance of a marine layer than SMO, and a few bucks a night for a tied down. You can rent a car through Channel Islands Aviation. 

Antoni Deighton

[wishboneash]

Quote: ad8n

How about Camarillo (CMA). It's about 20 miles west of the valley. Less chance of a marine layer than SMO, and a few bucks a night for a tied down. You can rent a car through Channel Islands Aviation. 

Antoni Deighton