Maybe I’ve repressed travel agent aspirations, but planning a long trip in our Piper Arrow—over 500 miles and maybe a few days—is an enjoyable challenge for me. Perhaps after over four decades of professional flying with flight plans, takeoff data, layover hotels and transportation already established with minimal input from me, it has become an opportunity to reassert an aspect of aviation involvement I lost along the way.
So, when it comes to choosing an FBO, I consider it a fun form of bargain shopping. Who has the best value for the services we require? And quite frankly, what airport has the best value? It pays to do a thorough job of planning because prices and services vary widely and depend on the aircraft you fly. Here’s a primer in hopes of saving some bucks on quick turns and long stays.