Introduction
The concept of Fixed Base Operator initiated in the United States of America as early as 1926 in order to replace the Air Commerce Act. United States of America has over 5200 FBOs. Some of FBO in U.S. operate independently, while others operate as chain affiliates. A fixed Base Operator that is often referred as the FBO is a commercial business that is authorized by an airport sponsor to offer aeronautical services such as aircraft rental, fueling, tow operations, parking, aircraft maintenance as well as gourmet. The tasks of an FBO are generally to offer support services to aviation operators.
The FBO can either be a private enterprise or it can be a subsidiary of the airport or the municipality where it operates. Generally, private aviation FBO provide private jet charters to the public. FBO usually owns one or several aircrafts in wherever it operates. The FBO offers owners of aircrafts appropriate services that help in offsetting the high costs that are associated with operating aircrafts. FBO is commonly limited to serving aircrafts that originates or terminates in areas where it is located. This is importance in order to cut down the high costs that are linked with repositioning airplanes. This helps in making sure that the FBOs operate at a profit (Stratosjet.com par.1).
Aims and Objective
The main aim of this study was to find out the performance of Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida in order to recommend appropriated improvements.
Specific Objectives
- To find out the services offered by Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida
- To find out the qualifications needed to work in FBOs.
- To find out the costs that are involved in operating an FBOs
- To identify challenges associated in working in FBOs.
- To identify the strategies that the management at Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida are adapting in order to enhance their performance
- To identify appropriate strategy that Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida can adapt to enhance their performance.
Literature Review
In the early days before the coming of international aircrafts as well as jets that carry hundreds of passengers, air planes were generally owned by individuals. The occupants of the air plane were mainly the pilot, mechanic as well as the passengers. The contemporary concept of airports that could service aircrafts as well as pilots had not developed. During those days, air planes laded in specific locations only to being refueled. The places where airplanes used to lad and refuel are the stations that eventually evolved into Fixed Base Stations.
Nowadays, some airline carriers have established their own A & P mechanics and ground services to service the planes they own. Those corporations or individuals who cannot be in a position to put up their infrastructures to services their aircrafts rely on FBOs for refueling, maintenances as well as charter services. FBOs do not generate their revenue by the sale of flight tickets, but by the sale of fuel to airplane owners as well as the money they receive by offering air planes a place for parking. Some FBOs provide extra services such as helping the aircraft owners on arranging subsequent flights. Moreover, some FBOs offer other services such as Baggage assistances, Ground Crew, maintenance, car rentals as well as Aircraft rental and sightseeing.
The FBOs are not considered as competitive as the commercial airlines in terms of employment opportunities. Unlike the commercial airlines that demand extensive experiences in order to get a job, FBOs do not necessary require their applicants to have prior experiences in FBOs in order to recruit them. This is because the human resources in FBOs train all those employees they recruit for entry-level positions. The main requirements that are required for one to work for FBOs are a strong passion for airplanes as well as excellent communication skills. Similarly, those people that work in FBOs are required to portray a strong sense of responsibilities in order to facilitate the FBOs to operate efficiently (Jobmonekey.com par.2-5).
Methodology
The study involved both primary as well as secondary research. The secondary research entailed a review of the available literatures pertaining to the subject matter. The researcher reviewed relevant articles, books, as well as journals that contained information about general aviation and especially those literatures that discussed about FBOs. The literature review helped in shedding light about the current approach that FBOs are adapting in operating their FBOs. It also helped the researcher to identify the various services that are provided by the existing FBOs. Lastly, the researcher was able to learn on the skills that are required in order for one to secure an employment in an FBO.
The researcher opted to carry out a primary research in order to find out whether the information that was received from the review of the literature coincided with the primary study. The researcher used stratified sampling to identify the FBO to use for the study. Subsequently, the researcher opted to use Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida because of proximity purposes. Similarly, the researcher used the same sampling strategy to identify the most appropriate employee to interview. Consequently, the researcher identified the manager as the most suitable candidate for the interview.
The manager of Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida was considered as the best employee since he was the most knowledgeable person in term of the overall performance of Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida as well as because of his great experience of working in FBOs. In order to collect the necessary data, the researcher used a questionnaire as the instrument for collecting data. The questionnaire that was used had both closed ended as well as open ended questions. The closed ended questions were tailored in manner that enabled the respondent to pick appropriate answer(s) from the choices provided. Close ended questions helped the researcher to get responses from specific answers that he/she had targeted. Conversely, open ended questions helped to get insight into some aspects that the researcher could have overlooked or was not aware of.
Results
The primary research revealed that one of the major qualifications that are important for one to get employment opportunity with FBOs is having a passion with airplanes. The manager highlighted that his passion for flying is the one that motivated him to apply and secure a job in FBO. The manager identified the following as the main services that Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida offers; fueling, tow operations, and turn around, maintenance, gourmet catering, concierge services, aircraft charter, limousine service, rental cars, and courtesy transportation. The manager pointed out that the main expenses that they incur in running the Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida are; fuel, insurances as well as rent business. The manager identified fuel sales, charter services as well as maintenances as their main revenue sources. The manager pointed out that despite the frustration that occurs as one tries to make every client happy, he aspires to see more business travels turn to General travelers since it is an easier and a more convenient method of travel. The manager highlights that Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida is employing the strategies of improving the sale of fuel as well as building on its charter services to enhance its performance.
Discussion
Both the secondary and primarily research identified passion for airplanes as an important factor that is considered when recruiting employees to work in FBOs. The Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida has strategized their business appropriately in order to ensure that they compete healthy with other FBOs. The Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida offers various aeronautical services to its customers in order boost its customer satisfaction. The following are the services that the FBO is committed in availing to its customers; fueling, tow operations, turn around, maintenance, gourmet catering, concierge services, aircraft charter, limousine service, rental cars, and courtesy transportation.
The provision all these diverse services have enabled the FBO to perform exceptionally good in this competitive market. The company has ensured a competent work force in order to guarantee efficiency in the organization. The management has stipulated appropriate policies that have ensured that only those people that are passionate for airplanes are recruited. In order to remain competitive, The Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida has adapted a strategy of improving on the fuel sale and development of its charter services. The company has included discounts for volume fuel purchases in order to attract more customers to use their services.
Moreover, the Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida management has also included hotel discounts in order to establish a competitive edge over other FBOs. If the Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida continues its missions with its current approach and enthusiasm, it will become the leading FBO in the world in the near future (Galaxy & Boca Aviation par.5).
Recommendations
- The Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida should try to cut down its high costs on fuels and renting, by looking for better alternatives such as looking for cheaper suppliers, reducing discounts offered on fuel as well as buying of land instead of leasing.
- The Galaxy Aviation Palm Beach Florida should extend its discounts from being offered only on hotels and fuel, but also to other services it offers.
Reference List
Galaxy & Boca Aviation. (2011). West Palm Beach, FL (PBI). Web.
Jobmonekey.com. (2009). Airline and Aviation Jobs. Web.
Stratosjet.com. (2011). What is a fixed base operator? Web.