Where to find falling fuel prices

Fuel prices have been plummeting, and a quick look at the national average price of Jet- and 100LL-fuel in 2008 shows a steady drop over the past six months. A simple Google search reveals a number of Web sites including 100LL.com, Airnav.com, and Globalair.com, which report lowest aviation fuel prices in the nation.

With some FBOs reluctant to participate and the prices fluctuating almost daily, it is a tall order for anyone to stay up to date on the actual cost of filling up at the pump. So how can you manage your wallet and expectations when flight planning? You can’t poll your nearest gas station—avgas prices lag behind automotive gas—so the price at the FBO pump is still going to be a surprise. Or is it?

AOPA can help with a great service at your fingertips—more than 5,300 fuel prices provided by 100LL.com are available through AOPA’s Airport Directory Online and the new AOPA Internet Flight Planner. The beauty of the flight planner is that you can overlay airports and the fuel pump prices right on your route. And you’ll know the date the price was valid. 100LL.com contacts FBOs around the nation on a daily basis to obtain the prices, and that date is included with the listing. Check out the regional price map for a quick glance at the averages across the country. Also read about the future of avgas in “Goodbye big blue?" in the November 2008, AOPA Pilot.