Redbird Skyport’s experimental offer to sell avgas for $1 a gallon in San Marcos, Texas, throughout October has generated such intense interest that the company has followed up with a statement explaining the deal’s terms.
Since announcing the discount fuel event intended to study the relationship between fuel prices and general aviation flying habits, Redbird has fielded "an overwhelming number of calls and questions" about the terms and conditions.
With its fuel storage capacity limited to 12,000 gallons, Redbird Skyport is taking steps to prevent operators from taking unfair advantage of the program by such devices as installing auxiliary fuel tanks in aircraft, by relocating temporarily to San Marcos, or by making repeated flights there for fuel. Some operators were reportedly contemplating such actions, Redbird Skyport said.
The dollar-fuel offer is open "to any piston-powered GA aircraft that can fly into San Marcos Municipal Airport under its own power. Only the regular tanks in the aircraft will be filled," said the company in a Sept.19 news release.
The limit on discount fuel will be 200 gallons per aircraft per day. Operators of aircraft requiring more than 200 gallons may purchase more fuel at the regular price.
The $1-per-gallon price will be valid from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.—Redbird’s normal operating hours—for the entire month of October.
In expectation of fuel lines, Redbird recommends that pilots pre-register on the Redbird website or by calling 512/878-6670.
Redbird Skyport advised pilots that San Marcos "has acres of ramp space, so space for waiting or parking overnight is not a problem."
"The one-dollar avgas event at the Redbird Skyport has a lot of goals and one of them is to make sure that we can handle the additional demand," said Redbird Skyport spokesman Jeff Van West. "Among the worst things that could happen would be running out of fuel before the next fuel delivery can arrive.
"We've received an overwhelming number of calls and questions about the terms and conditions of a sale like this. There aren't many, but there are a few, so we thought we ought to address some of the most commonly asked questions ahead of the event."
Aviation companies and organizations collaborating to sponsor the experiment include Aspen Avionics, Avemco Insurance, Bad Elf, Bendix King, Brown Aviation Leasing, the Experimental Aircraft Association, ForeFlight, Garmin, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Hartzell, Jeppesen, King Schools, Phillips 66, Piper Aircraft, and Sennheiser.
Redbird Skyport responds to frequently asked questions about the offer here.
At the time Redbird announced the offer, its regular avgas price was $6.09 per gallon.
