No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you.
In an effort to determine if the current cost of avgas makes flying prohibitive, a month long experiment is currently underway at the Redbird Skyport (KHYI) in San Marcos, Texas. For all of October 2013 the airport will be selling avgas for $1 per gallon with hopes that flying activity increases during this generous discount period.
Now don’t get all excited thinking you can borrow your uncles KC-135 and load it up with cheap fuel to hedge your future flying addiction. Sorry. The rules are that the airport will ONLY fuel standard aircraft tanks in piston-powered GA aircraft; no bladders, ferry tanks, or milk jugs allowed! 200 gallons per airplane, per day. Anything above 200 gallons will be charged at normal market fuel prices.
Fueling operations will be available from 6AM to 10PM daily from October 1st through October 31st. Surveys will be distributed to pilots to help Redbird collect additional data during this experiment.
Because of the expected high demand for fuel at Redbird, you have the option to call ahead on the phone (512.878.6670) or pre-register online to skip to the front of the line.
Not too shabby, eh?
Let us know in the comments below if you had the chance to benefit from this wild fuel experiment. We’d love to hear about your experience!
Also – would you fly more if avgas was in fact cheaper than current market prices? Let us know in the comments below.
