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FBO MANAGEMENT April 2017 airportbusiness 41 Regardless, as the snow begins to taper off across the country and spring approaches, it's worth a review of how snow affects FBO oper- ations and to review lessons learned. There is much for FBOs to consider before, during, and after the wicked white stuff begins to fall. Preparedness prior to the first flakes falling starts during the waning days of summer, when wise FBOs begin recurrent deicing training, and stock up on other essentials, such as deic- ing compounds for FBO sidewalks and parking lots, such as rock salt, calcium, magnesium or potassium chloride, or urea among others. Sand, or other non-corrosive compounds should be held in stock for ramp side use only. Another pre-season suggestion is for FBOs to "…build a good relationship with your air- port's maintenance department" says Ross Wheeler, Business Development Manager for Sioux Falls, SD-based Maverick Air Center. In many cases, an airport maintenance division is tasked with not only clearing airport infra- structure of snow such as runways and taxi- ways, but tenant ramps such as airlines and FBOs. Yet, the priority for that snow removal Hybrid Buildings Benefits of Metal & Fabric Buildings Foundation Solutions Build Anywhere & Quick Construction Fabric Structures Natural Light & Low Cost Per Sq Ft WE MANUFACTURE • WE INSTALL WE SAVE YOU MONEY ClearSpan.com/ADAIR 1.866.643.1010 buildings of 1,000 uses ZERO PERCENT FINANCING AVAILABLE restrictions may apply www.aviationpros.com/10291276 O f the variety of precipitation known to fall from the clouds, there is only one that seems to have an equal number of supporters and detractors: Snow. Predictably, most of the advocates fall in the category of school children hopeful for a snow day or skiers on a mountain seeking fresh powder. For those aviation businesses that deal with its sometimes crippling effects – airlines, airports and FBOs among them – there is no beauty to snow. Indeed, snow means different things to different FBOs. For those in the upper-half of the country, it may mean customer delays, long days and a new or alternate set of rules for a given operation. For those operating FBOs in Florida for example, snow means a fresh crop of humorous videos of cars sliding down hills, courtesy of The Weather Channel, playing the lobby.