A Unique element of the General Aviation Experience
One unusual aspect of general aviation is the “Crew Car.” Nearly all airports have what the FAA romantically calls a “Fixed Base Operator” or FBO for short. FBO’s provide various services to the airport and serve as the passenger terminal for private aircraft. Selling fuel is an important profit center for FBO’s, and they compete with other FBO’s at the airport and nearby airports. One of the ways they can differentiate themselves is by offering a “Crew Car” for use by pilots/crew to drive into town for lunch for little or no cost.
As we have traveled across the US, we have encountered a wide variety of Crew Cars. In Meridian MS, it was a nearly-new Ford Explorer. In Truth or Consequences NM, it was an old but serviceable Lexus SUV. In Wichita Falls TX, it was a bright red Crown Vic, formerly used by the town’s fire chief.
But perhaps the most colorful model belongs to the FBO at the airport in Pecos TX. Said car was a 2006 Chevy Suburban that had suffered through a hail storm the week prior. The driver’s side rear window was shattered, hanging on for dear life as pieces of tempered glass dripped onto the carpet with every turn. It took a few cranks of the starter to light her up, but once running, things seemed ok.
But let’s avoid the freeway.
We snapped a few pics of the car’s key features below. Beggers can’t be choosers, and it did get us to our hotel after a long day of flying. And the FBO came right out the next morning to drive us back to the airport when she couldn’t muster another start. Part of the adventure.
