AIRNAV not publishing fuel prices...

I started AirNav in 1995 and am still involved in it, although I don't
run the whole show anymore.

One thing that several of you have figured out is that AirNav needs to
have a sufficient revenue stream to be viable.

Two alternatives: charge the users (pilots) or charge the
advertisers (FBOs).

So what are we doing to the businesses that don't pay? We typically
take out all their information, except their name, phone number, fuel
prices, and user comments.

So far, so good. But there's more to it. The value of the service you provide
is proportional to the information you provide. Now, there are two kinds of
information (and you can see the difference all the time on the web)... there
is the information the seeker wants (i.e. fuel prices and comments) and
information the business wants the seeker to have ("2 for 1 special on pork
chops - today only so hurry!!") Strip out too much of what the seeker wants
and there will be no more seekers, and thus no market for pork chops.

Like the phone book, the value of AirNav is its comprehensiveness. I go to
AirNav and know I don't have to go anywhere else. This is also what would make
it attractive to FBOs. So it makes a lot of sense to provide free basic
information (including contact information) and then, for an added charge to
the FBO, other information that the FBO might want us to have.

you should make it clear to them that
you use AirNav, and that AirNav plays a role in your FBO selection
process. They'll get the message.

AIrNav specials could go a long way towards making this happen. A pilot uses
AirNav, he gets a "coupon number" which is good for (say) a 5c discount on
fuel, a free night at the Alexis inn (or 10% off any other listed lodging), a
waived landing fee... something. IT would encourage pilots who use AirNav to
make their use of AirNav known to the businesses listed there, and provides an
incentive to use those businesses (as they are the ones providing the goodies).
Word will get around.

As for charging the pilots, how about if we charged AirNav for the fuel
information we are providing? After all, it is valuable information too, and
AirNav is using it for commercial purposes. Our input is what allows AirNav to
be the comprehensive and timely information source it is, so why shouldn't we
get compensated? Flying is expensive, and pilots also need revenue streams.
Seems an ideal match to me.

Or we could just ride along free using AirNav, while AirNav rides along free on
our sleuthing, the way life should be.

Jose

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