Conversation Posted Online, Causing Internet Backlash

The crew of a helicopter working the Bear Fire in California last week was told that if they wanted to refuel at Watsonville Airport after 5:00 p.m., they would have to pay a $150 after hours fee.

A recording of an exchange between the pilot of the aircraft and an airport staffer was posted on the Internet by the podcast Aviation Talk Live, according to a report from the Santa Cruz Sentinel. The pilot said he was "looking for a top off ... if you guys are still able."

The staffer responded "We won’t be able. We do have an after hours fee, if you’d like the services. We leave at 5 o’clock. I could have somebody stay, stand by, after, but there is an after hours fee for that.”

The pilot said he was only about 30 seconds out, but the staffer held firm. "We close at 4:30 and we’re out of here at 5,” the staffer said.

The fee is $150. The aircraft diverted to San Martin to refuel.

The conversation was posted by Chris Gularte, a pilot for Watsonville-based helicopter charter company Specialized Aviation, who also produces the podcast. He said in his view, the airport's responce was "rude" and "inappropriate." He said when a fire crew requests fuel, the response should be "yes sir."

Watsonville Municipal Airport manager Rayvon Williams confirmed the fee, but said the recording does not tell the whole story. The airport has three tanker trucks that they take offline at 4:30, and begin securing them for the night. Bringing them back into service is more involved that just turning starting up the truck and driving out to the ramp to deliver fuel. He also said that the pilot could have used the self-service ramp, which is always open and carries no additional charge.

Williams said the airport has done "everything we can" to assist in fighting the fires raging through California. But when one clip gets posted online, "all of a sudden, we're the bad guys."

FMI: Original Report