Airport landing fees are acceptable but overflight charges are not. [Shutterstock]
Key Takeaways:
Many private airports face challenges with pilots failing to pay landing and parking fees under an honor system, leading owners like Robert DeLaurentis of KOKH to adopt automated billing solutions such as Vector PlanePass.
DeLaurentis implemented PlanePass due to pilot non-payment despite significant airport improvements, citing an "air of entitlement" among pilots who use the private facilities without contributing financially.
The new automated system has experienced "growing pains," including instances of pilots being erroneously billed for merely overflying the airport, which is not permitted under FAA policy.
While landing fees are acceptable, erroneous overflight charges are not, and pilots affected are encouraged to seek resolution with the billing company or airport management, potentially involving AOPA.
If you have been to a private airport, you have probably asked that question. There is often a mailbox in a kiosk, or the pilot is directed to the airport manager’s office. No one is making you pay, as aviation often relies on the honor system.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
