> and the labor cost to pay a lineman to put 6 to 10 gallons in a typical user of it.
Sounds like you don't want these customers regardless of whether they buy MoGas or AvGas. Many FBO's I've seen in the past use the fuel tanks from the 80 they no longer carry, of course as time marches on more of those tanks are being taken out and not replaced. I knew one operator who bought an old fuel truck specifically to use to pick up and dispense auto fuel. Fuel without alcohol is available. The alcohol has to be added late in the handling process as it is not very stable. While I can sympathize with the idea, I feel that if you don't want to take the steps to accommodate the desires of the customer, it really isn't fair to complain when he doesn't buy something he doesn't really want from you instead of getting what he does want somewhere else. When I was based at a field that had autogas, I bought it from them. I even paid up front for the discount and after hours access. When I was based at a field that did not have auto fuel, I did not buy 100LL very often, even though my employer was selling it. John Cooper Skyport Services 518 797-3064 www.skyportservices.net _____ From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jerry Eichenberger Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 1:17 PM To: John Cooper; [email protected] Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] Re: support your local FBO (was Plastic Gas Cans) Trying to sell auto fuel at an FBO isn't very easy. First, of course, you have to have a storage and delivery system. Even above ground tanks and pump are very expensive, tens of thousands of dollars. And, the numbers of airplanes that still use it aren't that numerous. Everything made since the 1980s, maybe even back into the 1970s if you count 172s and 152s need 100LL. Larger older airplanes like most twins, Bonanzas, Comanches, and the like have needed 100 oct. fuel since they were made. Lastly, the types of airplanes that use 80 oct., and thus use auto gas, with the sole exception of old 182s and really old other airplanes using a Cont. 0470 engine don't use much fuel anyhow. Champs, Cubs, etc. typically buy less than 10 gallons at a pop. Maybe an old 172 may buy 25 gallons at a time. Then, finding auto gas to sell that doesn't have alcohol is a pain. So, all totalled, selling auto gas at an FBO is FAR more trouble than it's worth - at our place, I presume we'd sell less than 1,000 gallons a month of it even if we did have it. And, it wouldn't be much cheaper than 100LL, given the costs of buying small quantities at a time (you pay thru the nose for loads of less than a full tanker at a time which is 8 to 10 thousand gallons - freight costs, per gallon, get prohibitive), the costs of the storage and delivery system, and the labor cost to pay a lineman to put 6 to 10 gallons in a typical user of it. That's why you see very few FBOs stocking auto fuel. Jerry E. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of John Cooper Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 10:49 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] Re: support your local FBO (was Plastic Gas Cans) > If you expect him to be there for you when you need him, support him when you don't. So, Jerry, way has your FBO chosen not to offer auto gas? There are those who use auto gas primarily because they feel it is a better choice for the engine. I happen to be one, but then I fly off my own property so I'm not really cutting into anyone's business. We all make business decisions and tradeoffs. I don't blame the coupe owner for buying something from someone else if I can't make him a competitive offer. I appreciate those who buy from me even if they could save a buck at Aircraft Spruce. In fact, often, after shipping is factored in, they don't pay any penalty. But there will always be those who don't. The only time I let it get to me is when someone calls and asks how to install the part they go from Univair. ;) John Cooper Skyport Services 518 797-3064 www.skyportservices.net
