FBO Purchase worth it ?

"Bob Noel" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Toño wrote:

Hi all,

I have a friend that is about to purchase a small FBO. Now we all know
that owning a small FBO is a labor of love at the very least. However,
he is wondering if it is really financial suicide given the trends of
today's laws, governmental regs, legislation, TSA, etc.

His (my) question is: Do any of you have any general or specific
thoughts that you might offer him before he signs on the dotted line?

It depends on where the FBO is and why it's for sale. For example,
it could easily be financial suicide to buy a failed FBO where at the
same airport with a very good one (or two). Or buying an FBO near
DCA/IAD/BWI, BOS, JFK, LAX, etc would be crazy.


Or buying an FBO at an airport that is constantly under threat of closure.

Earl Grieda wrote:
"Bob Noel" wrote in message


It depends on where the FBO is and why it's for sale. For example,
it could easily be financial suicide to buy a failed FBO where at the
same airport with a very good one (or two). Or buying an FBO near
DCA/IAD/BWI, BOS, JFK, LAX, etc would be crazy.



Or buying an FBO at an airport that is constantly under threat of closure.



Bob and Earl...

The FBO is under sale because the owner is no longer physically capable
due to health problems. It has been in continuous operation for 20 years
or so and operates slightly in the black under poor management.

The nearest class B is 50 miles away and the airport in general seems to
not be in threat of closure. There are two other FBO's on field that
seem to be doing OK. They have been in operation for a number of years.
The area is modest in population (maybe 100,000)with a viable economy
that seems to be booming at the moment.

I believe that the local infrastructure will support the business but it
is my concern (as well as his) that the general trends in aviation will
adversely affect the small FBO in the near future.

Take for example the cost of insurance, or even the ever-increasing
governmental programs supposedly designed to increase security at
airports. I was told today that an FBO was fined heavily when and FBI
agent was able to walk freely onto the tarmac and take a picture of an
aircraft in the class D airspace.

Another example was a small FBO that was co-located with a part 135
operation that was required to install two $10,000-- metal detection
gates at their entrances.

Anyway, I was just testing the water to see if anyone had any strong
feelings about taking on the purchase of an FBO in today's climate.

Thanks to both of you for your responses,

Toño