Business View Magazine l November 2022

237 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11 operations” including take offs and landings as well as estimate passengers and they consider “visitors” as those who are coming from more than 50 miles away. Additionally, there are pilots who base their aircraft at the airports, renting space and using the runways frequently. The seven smaller airports attract over 33,878 visitors to the Southern Carolina region, and Hilton Head’s airport adds another 30,000 visitors annually, according to the 2018 study. People come here for business, pleasure or a combination of both. Some flights are just passing through, using the airports as fueling stations and taking advantage of their facilities for bathrooms, food and information. Most of the airports offer “quiet” areas where pilots can take a nap, have a shower, get a snack or use computers available on site and these areas are open to pilots 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All of the airports in the SCA region sell 100LL (low lead) fuel for the smaller prop planes, several also offer Jet A fuel for small jet-engine planes. Fuel sales are a major source of income for these airports and they compete rigorously to offer the lowest pricing. Pilots can look online for pricing while making their flight plans, check in-flight or be happily surprised upon landing and inquiring. Income for the airports is also derived from renting space for short-term parking, or in buildings called T-hangars or box hangars where planes can be stored for longer periods of time. Many don’t charge “tie-down” fees for short visits, enticing pilots to use their facilities. Other revenue is generated from repair facilities, flight schools or other aviation-related businesses that rent space at the airports. The smaller airports offer less hassle and more anonymity for visitors, some of whom are on economic development missions for their SOUTHERN CAROL INA ALL I ANCE