I must say in the grand scheme if things i rather pay € 5 for an approach but a tax on my house every year.
Some is better there, some is better here – that‘s my POV. I don‘t see how it can make sense to let that stuff upset you that much.
There‘s worse injustice on this planet.
So the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Alexis wrote:
FBO charges at some (many?) US airfields.
I’ve flown to a lot of airports but the only landing fee or short term ramp fee I’ve ever paid was at Catalina, which is privately owned like the rest of the island. I have paid elsewhere for overnight parking, but not much.
I heard that at some of the bigger and more popular airports FBO charges are mandatory.
Alexis wrote:
A little OT, but interesting: I just followed a discussion of some pilots on COPA about mandatory FBO charges at some (many?) US airfields. One guy went to Jackson Hole, WY, to pick up a passenger and had to pay $ 75 to the FBO + $ 17.50 for the landing. He only stayed there for ten minutes.
He landed at a major destination resort for $92.50. If there for 10 mins he didn’t buy fuel. You couldn’t land at Straubing for that particularly if IFR….:)
Straubing in my SR22 is € 25 and if i was IFR another € 5.
You guys especially Alexis are so hung up on the 5Euros an expression comes to mind They look but dont see, they listen but dont hear.
Are you baiting me with this 5 Euro crap? Thats all you guys seem to care about is the MONEY.
Yet I consistently tell you its bigger than that. Its a whole new pricing structure that they are instituting. Similar to when the Govt comes up with a new type of tax and sells it by saying, “it wont effect you, only the rich.” “Yeah go after those rich scoundrels they can afford it,” the mob cries. Then before too long the tax is imposed on them as well. Good work geniuses. Let the govt apply a new tax then see how long it takes for them to get rid of it. Answer: Never
I bring up the US GA only because Ive read on this forum people referring to it as Nirvana. Well its only that way because people fight for it.
Regarding FBOs in the US its rare that they charge, if you buy some fuel from them. Most of the time we ride on the coat tails of the Jet A crowd. But Ive never in 30 yrs of flying have I ever felt awkward in the executive lounge. Every FBO has made me feel welcome. Courtesy cars ,free coffee donuts, etc etc and most of all a nice smile.
Ive landed at Dulles, Reagan, Logan, Charlotte, Nashville etc etc and never paid more than $25 for landing 0 for handling with fuel purchase. Oh by the way no additional fee with an IFR Approach. So that post where the guy spent $75 for the FBO (as was mentioned) was because he didnt buy fuel. Sometimes there is a minimum of 25 or 50 gal. With my 210 that was never a problem. 
Earlier I asked the question of Achim , how many flights were filed on an IFR flight plan last year into EDMS? Just curious as to the answer.
And you really talk about Germany? I for one would categorize it as blackmailing if i have to buy fuel to avoid high fees.
Why do i have to pay a fee when i don‘t want any of the FBOs services? It‘s interesting that you don‘t seem to have a problem with that.
C210_Flyer wrote:
Ive landed at Dulles, Reagan, Logan, Charlotte, Nashville etc etc and never paid more than $25 for landing 0 for handling with fuel purchase. Oh by the way no additional fee with an IFR Approach. So that post where the guy spent $75 for the FBO (as was mentioned) was because he didnt buy fuel. Sometimes there is a minimum of 25 or 50 gal. With my 210 that was never a problem.
I see no reason to do any of the above. What’s being missed here is that at most airports used by GA in the USA there is either (1) a public airplane parking lot that costs ~$5/night deposited into a little envelope when you leave (for example this is the case at my 600 operations per day base) or (2) a little FBO who will either charge you nothing for parking or a trivial amount or (3) a place to stick your plane out of the way where nobody will know or care, possibly because the entire airport is unattended and there is no mechanism to pay anybody. Almost no pilot with a single pays more, because its rarely necessary. Why would you go to some CAT airport or pay some fancy biz jet FBO to use his facility when it is completely avoidable without introducing any inconvenience? To impress your girl friend?
Again, I have never paid to land anywhere, any time in my entire flying history (even in Europe as it happens) except for one airport on a privately owned island. I have never paid for short term parking and the most I have paid for overnight parking is the aforementioned $5/day. If I park my airplane for just a couple of hours I typically don’t even know who controls the spot in which I park, nobody is paying enough attention and nobody notices that I’ve come or gone.
