American Flyers

at Santa Monica Municipal Airport

From Steve Dietrich on 08-Oct-2008

Great operation. Low cost self serve or reasonably priced full service fuel. Not as fancy at Atlantic, but a better place for light aircraft. Note their hours as access to the ramp is restricted. The alternative is to walk from Typhoon.
 

From Joel B Schwartz on 19-Sep-2008

If you arrange for a rental car through American flyers make sure YOU CALL the rental company and let them know you dropped off the car. I rented through Enterprise and returned the car to American Flyers. A week and a half later a large charge showed up on my credit card for the car. Turned out they never notified the company that the car had been returned. It sat on their lot for over a week and the rental car company thought I had it and was billing me for it. On another note if you land at this airport expect a bill to show up at your home for landing fees about three weeks later. It is not clear in the airport directories that they charge a fee. Never return to this airport!!!!
 

From Bob Allen on 03-Sep-2008

This is the FBO to visit at Santa Monica Airport. Much more reasonable and friendly to GA aircraft. I made the mistake of taxiing my V-Tail Bonanza over to Supermarine/Atlantic so I could meet relatives. While the FBO is very nice and the staff very courteous, they charged me a $40 ramp fee PLUS well over $6.00 a gallon for gas. The staff was apologetic, but it was too late by then. To add insult to injury, I later received a bill from the Santa Monica Airport Authority for a $4.14 landing fee.
 

From Elliott Drucker on 10-Jun-2008

American Flyers has certainly improved as an FBO for transients over the years. The once very rough parking area has been resurfaced and the self-serve fueling works fine. Prices are very reasonable, and they waive the first night's tie down fee ($10) with purchase. It's not a fancy place, but more than adequate. I understand KSMO is under attack by some community forces that want the airport closed. We should all do what we can to save this transportation resource, including following all noise-abatement procedures.
 

From Marshall Goldman on 10-Jun-2008

They were very helpful. Not as fancy as Atlantic, but easy access and quick service.
 

From Thomas Enders on 27-May-2008

We came in on May 21st for a one-day business trip in our Cessna 172. We had a good experience; everything went quickly, friendly and efficiently. The only hiccup was that no one answered on Unicom, so we picked a parking spot ourselves, guided by the "transient" pavement markings. We had called ahead to reserve a car with Enterprise (with Enterprise directly); the car was waiting for us. On return, the plane was fueled and we were ready to return, and the rental car charges were as promised.
 

From Sal Lagonia on 12-Feb-2008

I recently was visiting from New York and stopped in at American Flyers to rent a plane and local CFI. They could not have been more accommodating. The CFI was an excellent tour guide of the area and kept me out of the nearby Class B airspace. An excellent experience that made my business trip to the west coast - enjoyable. Thank you Morgan and American Flyers.
 

From Jerzy Orkiszewski on 20-Jan-2008

I came to KSMO for a two-day weekend in a C182. Initially, I planned to park at the admin building. After getting there, I found the overnight fee is $15, there is nobody in the office to talk to, registration forms needed to "register" the aircraft are non-existent, and the pilot lounge had no phone numbers posted for taxi service or any info on haw to get fuel. I then decided to try American Flyers: taxied there and walked in. Got outstanding service – fuel, parking at $10/night and they even waived the first night fee with fuel purchase. Also, they got me into a taxi in no time. Thanks, guys! Great, friendly service. Highly recommended.
 

From Jon Wells on 06-Jan-2008

Very accommodating and friendly. Landed with an Angel Flight patient and the entire transient parking on the airport were closed due to repaving. American Flyers let me park for free for an hour while I dropped off passengers and made sure they had ground transportation. Also provide fuel discount (10 cents/gallon) for Angel Flight Missions...Thanks guys.
 

From Ben Hallert on 16-Nov-2007

These guys were great! Rental car waiting, no hassle, helped with luggage, it was a great GA experience for my wife on her first big plane trip and I'll definitely come back here anytime I'm in SMO.
 

From Alan Groves on 29-Oct-2007

Flew into SMO on 9/21 and departed on 9/23. We used American Flyers. We took a day trip down to SNA. One of the flight instructors was very helpful in explaining the procedure to transition LAX VFR and what would happen as we approached SNA. As others have mentioned, their fuel prices are much cheaper than the other FBO. Their lobby is basic and oriented around their flight-training program, but it's functional. We used Midway Car Rental. They would not deliver the car but came and picked us up and took us to their office, had to drop the car off at their office to return and then another shuttle to the airport. It was about a 15 min drive. Not as convenient as having the car delivered to the airport but it worked, just took longer. Got a bill in the mail about a month later from Santa Monica Airport for a landing fee, $12.42, for 2 landings in a Columbia 400.
 

From Scott Jones on 09-Sep-2007

Nice people, inexpensive fuel and excellent flight training at American Flyers. Linemen sometimes leave a little earlier than the 9 pm posted closing; so let them know if you're arriving late (they waited for me when I asked). Fuel pump also closes at 9, so fill up earlier.
 

From George Moussa on 08-Aug-2007

My first time into the Santa Monica airport in my B58. I stayed with them to avoid the high ramp fees at the other FBO. Buy gas and they waive the $15 fee. The folks helped me in my routing San Diego area, as the LAX area is quite busy indeed. Fuel pricing is fair and I'd recommend them to anyone. I also had my plane washed in 45 minutes while I waited by an outside service they use. It was great.
 

From Marcus Williams on 22-Jan-2007

Nice, no frills FBO. We arrived after reserving an Enterprise rental car (hint: don't use Enterprise at SMO), and the staff was very helpful in arranging a car with Midway, which has an office on the field. They're friendly, they have cheap gas -- which in the LA area is a major benefit -- and their line is easy to access. Good folks, and the only thing bad I have to say is about Enterprise.
 

From William DeCanio on 20-Nov-2006

American Flyers are always friendly and its the only place to park if $$$ is an issue. Beware, however, you will get an airport usage bill from the City mailed to your house for using the concrete at SMO. My Cessna 180 is charged 6 dollars and changes every visit. If I didn't have business at the airport, I would never return. Let's hope this practice doesn't catch on.
 

From Phil Corman on 17-Nov-2006

American Flyers is a very GA friendly FBO. Nice people, laid back, and very helpful. Buy gas (at a good price), and the tie down fee for transients are waived. KSMO is a great destination. Only a $.75 bus ride to the ocean and downtown.
 

From Jon Nevin on 26-Oct-2006

Nice friendly staff.
 

From Art Friedman on 15-Oct-2006

To correct the previous posting slightly, the airport closes to TAKE-OFFS (and engine starts) between 11pm and 7am (8 on weekends and holidays), but you can LAND any time. If you are transient and land after 11, the best bet is to go to transient parking (east of the terminal building by the rotating beacon) and call the security guys on CTAF. They can help you get transportation and other requirements. American Flyers is definitely the better FBO choice for small-aircraft drivers, with their much cheaper self-serve fuel, cheaper fees, and small-plane orientation. They do close earlier (about 9) than Supermarine though. No matter where you park, there is a weight-based landing fee for all transient aircraft ($4 for singles) that you get in the mail after the fact or you can pay in the city terminal building during business hours.