Call them ramp fees, facility charges or handling fees. When you pull up to many FBOs there’s a good chance you’ll be billed a flat-rate charge just for taking space on the ramp. In general, the larger the aircraft, the more you’ll pay. Most facilities that collect facility fees will waive them if you oblige by buying a specific amount of fuel, which of course always works out to be more than the fee. No matter what, my mentality is that I never expect anything for free and that’s especially true when aviating. If I’m using the FBO’s Wi-Fi, drinking its coffee, refreshing my breath with its mouthwash and using its line staff to reposition the airplane so I can get good photos, I have no problem paying a reasonable charge. Like at hotels, I’ve been gouged and treated fairly by the best and the worst. Some FBOs just get it and they’re worth mentioning.
