The Clark County Department of Aviation released additional parking spots at Las Vegas valley airports at a significantly lower price after reassessing availability and costs when pilots, the Aircraft and Owners Pilot Association* (AOPA) and other organizations objected to egregious “special event” fees tied to the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix on 18 November. Previous Vegas F1 races run in a parking lot failed miserably. This time around there is a tight course on the Strip with the race scheduled at night to fend off tire-destroying high temperatures and showcase the Casino lights.
These special event fees started an uproar when pilot Eric Haase said the one-time fees ranged in the thousands of dollars in an October YouTube video. AOPA and Clark County officials met on 3 November, at which point the county confirmed prices and stated the “egregious” fees per AOPA (imposed on both parking and drop-and-fly pilots) were to defray the costs of increased staffing and operations.
Clark County owns five airports in the Las Vegas area. Three of these airports—North Las Vegas Airport; Henderson Executive Airport; and Harry Reid International Airport announced the high special event fees associated with prior permission required (PPR) programs because of anticipated high traffic during the F1 Grand Prix weekend that concludes on 18 November.
AOPA and Clark County officials met on 3 November to assess these fees, at which point the county confirmed prices and said the fees (imposed on both parking and drop-and-fly off pilots) were intended to defray the costs of increased staffing and operations, according to AOPA.
Clark County and AOPA have met twice since, “as both parties are interested in how to best serve local and transient general aviation pilots,” said AOPA. On 14 November, Clark County officials confirmed that the prices at the county-operated Fixed Base Operators (FBOs in aviation speak for business that park, service, fuel and repair airplanes,) at North Las Vegas and Henderson airports would be adjusted downward.
“Previously, special event fees at Henderson and North Las Vegas were posted at $3000 for all aircraft. After the reassessment, the county found nearly 40 spots that could accommodate smaller Group 1 aircraft and will offer a much lower special event fee for aircraft in that category, at $750. Piston twin engine propeller planes such as a “Cessna 421 or Piper Chieftain are examples of Group 1 aircraft, which the FAA defines as aircraft with a wingspan less than 49 feet and a tail height less than 20 feet,” AOPA said.
AOPA also noted that a pilot flying a Group 1 aircraft who had already paid the $3000 event fee was offered a refund from the county and permitted to pay the lower rate. Additionally, the county has contacted more than 20 pilots with Group 1 aircraft who had made inquiries about parking and offered the updated $750 fee.
Stay tuned for more on the Las Vegas F1 curse. The temporary circuit was closed to fans this morning after a race car was severely damaged by a manhole cover. How many fans show up for the race remains to be seen.
*Full Disclosure – I am a member of AOPA and part of its Airport Support Network in Michigan.
Is Formula One in Vegas Cursed? Clark County Cuts Fees
The Clark County Department of Aviation released additional parking spots at Las Vegas valley airports at a significantly lower price after reassessing availability and costs when pilots, the Aircraft and Owners Pilot Association* (AOPA) and other organizations objected to egregious “special event” fees tied to the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix on 18 November. Previous Vegas F1 races run in a parking lot failed miserably. This time around there is a tight course on the Strip with the race scheduled at night to fend off tire-destroying high temperatures and showcase the Casino lights.
These special event fees started an uproar when pilot Eric Haase said the one-time fees ranged in the thousands of dollars in an October YouTube video. AOPA and Clark County officials met on 3 November, at which point the county confirmed prices and stated the “egregious” fees per AOPA (imposed on both parking and drop-and-fly pilots) were to defray the costs of increased staffing and operations.
Clark County owns five airports in the Las Vegas area. Three of these airports—North Las Vegas Airport; Henderson Executive Airport; and Harry Reid International Airport announced the high special event fees associated with prior permission required (PPR) programs because of anticipated high traffic during the F1 Grand Prix weekend that concludes on 18 November.
AOPA and Clark County officials met on 3 November to assess these fees, at which point the county confirmed prices and said the fees (imposed on both parking and drop-and-fly off pilots) were intended to defray the costs of increased staffing and operations, according to AOPA.
Clark County and AOPA have met twice since, “as both parties are interested in how to best serve local and transient general aviation pilots,” said AOPA. On 14 November, Clark County officials confirmed that the prices at the county-operated Fixed Base Operators (FBOs in aviation speak for business that park, service, fuel and repair airplanes,) at North Las Vegas and Henderson airports would be adjusted downward.
“Previously, special event fees at Henderson and North Las Vegas were posted at $3000 for all aircraft. After the reassessment, the county found nearly 40 spots that could accommodate smaller Group 1 aircraft and will offer a much lower special event fee for aircraft in that category, at $750. Piston twin engine propeller planes such as a “Cessna 421 or Piper Chieftain are examples of Group 1 aircraft, which the FAA defines as aircraft with a wingspan less than 49 feet and a tail height less than 20 feet,” AOPA said.
AOPA also noted that a pilot flying a Group 1 aircraft who had already paid the $3000 event fee was offered a refund from the county and permitted to pay the lower rate. Additionally, the county has contacted more than 20 pilots with Group 1 aircraft who had made inquiries about parking and offered the updated $750 fee.
Stay tuned for more on the Las Vegas F1 curse. The temporary circuit was closed to fans this morning after a race car was severely damaged by a manhole cover. How many fans show up for the race remains to be seen.
*Full Disclosure – I am a member of AOPA and part of its Airport Support Network in Michigan.