Tri-City Aviation

at Tri-Cities Regional Airport

From Jerry Marstall on 08-Oct-2009

I WON'T STOP AT TRI-CITY AVIATION AGAIN. I needed an overnight hangar for my experimental A/C (19' wingspan, 4' high at tail. Fit under a C-172 wing). Quoted $50. Directed to speak to Ms. Pam Phillips, owner, for relief. She refused. "We treat everyone the SAME." Don't mistake that for EQUAL OR FAIR. She then told me "winter rates" in effect. New rate $100. It's 70-Deg outside. NO THANKS; I'm a private pilot not a corporation. BLATANT GREED & EXPLOITATION. P.S. Line and counter staff is GREAT!!
 

From Garry Hewes on 26-Aug-2009

Landed Friday. Flight line personnel seemed nice. Asked them to top me off and then I would make a quick 40 min. trip, and top it off again for Sunday to go home. Arrived Sunday, Nice lady said it still was not topped off. We waited 45 mins for them to tell me it only took one gallon. I assumed they must have topped it off Friday night late. Was shuttled to our aircraft. Found Rt. Outboard tank cap lifted straight up. Never tightened. Inboard tanks were low, they said I would have to taxi to the other side so they would not have to check out a radio for the fuel truck. Took another 20.2 gal. To fill up. I noticed by the marks in the dirt, that my aircraft had been backed up to far and had went off the edge of the asphalt (substantial drop off) I had the landing gear checked by mechanic when I got home just in case gear was tugged to hard pulling it back on the flight line. Disappointed. Garry Hewes KHHG N7248Y
 

From Bill Heybruck on 16-Aug-2009

Flew there yesterday and I'll be back. Friendly service, reasonable fuel and no "landing fee". Used the crew van for an hour and returned to Mint Hill, NC. Looks like someone read the other comments here and did something about it.
 

From Shawn Crump on 17-Jun-2009

This is still one of the weakest FBOs that we visit. For the longest time there was no public computer. There is still no public printer. Catering is sketchy at best. And they do not provide newspapers. They are happy to let you go to the terminal and buy them from the machine. Really? Every other FBO provides a stack of papers, no charge. These guys charged us for going and getting them. No big deal. With a 1000-gallon fuel order, this ought not be an issue. We don't mind the ramp fees. 10.00 (50.00 I think for a jet), that's less than a drop in the bucket. We don't mind paying, but do expect first-rate service. The management should drive to AVL or CLT and watch how they operate and what they provide, and how they interact with their customers. They would know what we expect when we roll up in a corporate jet and give a several thousand-dollar fuel order. They seem like really good people. They just don't seem to get what corporate aviation expectations are.
 

From Jim Vick on 01-Jun-2009

I diverted to TRI due to weather and did not have time to assess on AirNav as I usually do. For the most part my experience was VERY different than most of the posts I have since read. The fuel is not the cheapest, but did not pay any extra fees and the line and counter were polite and attentive. Not sure if there was a management change or just a change of attitude. I would recommend Tri-City to anyone.
 

From Douglas Bush on 03-Nov-2008

Visited 10/28/08, stayed one night, bought 14 gallons at $5.85, no other fees. Nice facility at the North corner of the airport.
 

From Scott Sedam on 19-Oct-2008

Have stopped here several times, most recently October 2. Not bad, not impressive -- just "indifferent." Line guys are okay ... One of the counter women is nice and helpful, the other (yes, the same one mentioned in earlier posts) will avoid making eye contact with you if at all possible and NEVER asks if she can help. When I came to check out, they had a hard time determining if they had fueled the plane. I walked out and found they had, which prompted them to find the bill! After having been treated so well at several previous stops on this trip, a disappointment.
 

From John Trouts on 06-Jul-2008

Stopped in 7/5 on my way home from GA. New policy...10 gals. Or $10 ramp fee. Price was second lowest of the entire trip. Fast and efficient service. Must have read the reviews!
 

From Tom Fiola on 26-May-2008

Great service! We flew in late on a Friday night and I'm pleased to say it was an excellent experience. Car was brought right up to the plane and on departure nearly the whole staff was ready, able and willing. Be sure to ask for Bobby!
 

From Christopher Kidder on 27-Nov-2007

Flew in over the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with the in-laws. Fuel is still $4.50 per gallon and they charge you $10 per night and a $10 ramp fee (that's why the guys don't get a tip!) Sorry Pam, but your fuel is too expensive for me, a little guy who rents a club plane.
 

From Justin Scherer on 08-Aug-2007

Line guys were helpful and expeditious. The woman at the desk inside, however, was just the opposite. She was unhelpful and rude and couldn't wait to go outside for her smoke break. For $4.60 a gallon of Jet-A, you'd think they could hire a courteous CSR.
 

From Christopher Kidder on 05-Aug-2007

I have to stop here because my in-laws live nearby, but I don't buy gas anymore!!! $4.50 per gallon? You'd think you were in Ft Lauderdale or West Palm Beach; I bought gas at Union County, SC (only an hour away) at $3.85/gallon. They are now charging a $10 per night fee to park-ridiculous, putting us little guys out like that.
 

From Robert Henry on 16-May-2007

When I flew in on Mother's Day to visit Mom, I discovered that they had a $10 ramp fee just for taxiing in. They'd waive it if I bought 20 gallons of fuel, but I had no room in the Warrior's tanks for 20 gallons. I paid the fee and bought my fuel elsewhere. I consider a fee like that to be a big "Go away, we don't want you!" sign. Disappointing considering that I learned to fly at TRI and based an airplane there for many years.
 

From Larry Hrablook on 09-Mar-2007

We had reason to be in TRI to visit family. It was a cold winter night in early February '07. Mike, Tri-Cities Aviation GM, is one of the poorest and arrogant examples of managing a GA airport to service the flying public, that I have seen anywhere we fly our P210. Their prices are outrageous for fuel and overnight cold hangar space ($200 per night for single engine, with or without fuel purchase, $300 per night for heated hangar for single-engine) and their 100LL prices are at least $1 more than anyone in the area. They offer little flight line service and are proud of it. I strongly recommend avoiding TRI only if absolutely necessary, even during the high season NASCAR races in nearby Bristol, as it will be high season rip-off time for all. Avoid it at all cost. Nearby KVJI, Virginia Highlands Airport, is a welcome change and you save $ and headache. LOC and GPS approach with 4500x75 ft of asphalt.
 

From Rob Hawkins on 07-Jan-2007

Thanks to everyone for the post, it really helps prepare when traveling. Had planned to visit this area, but now will consider alternatives.