ARGUS International has recognized Naples Aviation at Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF) in Florida as the first FBO in North America to receive the ARGUS International Base Operations Audit Certification.
The Base Operations Audit and rating program encourages and assists companies in reducing ground incidents and damage to aircraft and company assets, according to airport officials.
“The audit program identifies and promotes FBOs that meet rigorous international industry best practices and standards that establish appropriate safety and service programs to support their operations,” they explained.
ARGUS “dives deeply into safety, service, and facilities to make sure customers visiting certified FBOs from around the world can trust in standards set forth in the Base Operations Audit,” they added.
“Being recognized as the first FBO in North America to receive the ARGUS PROS certification is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our FBO staff and leadership,” said Chris Rozansky, Naples Airport Authority Executive Director.
Naples Aviation is the sole FBO at KAPF, which had more than 119,000 annual operations in the last fiscal year. It is home to corporate aviation, air charter operators, flight schools, the Collier County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit, and more.
Wow, and to think they lost my plane a couple of years ago. I landed and taxied to the transit ramp. Been there before. No one from the FBO marshaled me in. I found a spot on my own and parked. Tie down locations are numbered. I secured the plane and walked into he FBO where I registered the plane noting the tie down numbered location. When I came back at the end of the week to depart my plane was not where I parked it. It had been moved. Other planes next to me that were there when I arrived were still parked at their numbered location. I looked everywhere for the plane and could not find it. I went into the FBO and told them I could not find it, and they said it was parked at no. XX. I said that was where I parked it when I came in but it was no longer parked there and I could not find the plane. The spot was empty. The FBO manager I got into a golf cart to drive around the ramp looking for the plane. We still could not find it. Horrible thoughts were racing through my head. Had it been stollen, did they move it into a hanger, or was it moved to the other side of the field. We drove back behind a large hanger and as we came back from behind the hanger passing the self serve fuel pumps we saw what looked like a plane parked behind the fuel farm between the tanks and a retaining wall. Sure enough there was the plane. Sitting in a non parking area no longer tied down, hidden from view. I never got a clear explanation why it was moved to that particular location where we found it, This was wholly inappropriate and unprofessional. The worst experience I ever had at an FBO. I was lucky the plane was not damaged. The most perfect experience at an FBO was in Aspen, CO.