b'84 X06 GENERAL AVIATION Pilots Flock to Arcadia Municipal for Taco TuesdayBY VICTORIA SOUKUPWhen Shelley Peacock watchesDuring the last several years, traffic has customers enjoying the foodgrown from a handful of daily operations trucks parked at Arcadiato an average of 70. Moreover, the airport Municipal Airport (X06), she knows oneused to sell less than 500 gallons of fuel a thing for certain: Ifmonth but now pumps more than 15,000. you build it, they willPilots are always looking for someplace come. to go, reasons Peacock. They are always As airport director,looking for an excuse to go somewhere in Peacock hastheir plane. By having fly-ins, serving lunch transformed theor offering a cookout, and having low fuel small South Floridaprices, were that place.airfield from a quietSHELLEY PEACOCK Given the recent success with general place to land into aaviation pilots, talk is now brewing about FACTS&FIGUREShot destination for general aviation pilots infrastructure improvements to attractProject: Increasing Trafficthroughout the state and beyond.jet traffic. Location: Arcadia (FL) Municipal AirportHow did she do it? Well, hosting Strategy: Lowering fuel costs, hosting food trucks & offeringfood trucks every Tuesday has a lot toManagement Changelive music on Tuesdays; adding small piece of play equipmentdo with it. She also lowered fuel pricesThe uptick started about four years ago, for children; providing courtesy car for pilots to be competitive with nearby airportswhen the city assumed responsibilities Marketing Channel: Facebook and began offering pilots a courtesy carfor day-to-day operation of the airport. Results: Over last 4 years, traffic has grown from handful ofso they can drive into town for lunchPreviously, the facility was run by a private daily operations to an average of 70; fuel sales have increasedor explore the antique district. And shecompany but overseen by Peacock in her from less than 500 gallons/month to more than 15,000promotes it all on Facebook at zero cost.previous job at City Hall. On-Field Aircraft Maintenance: Wingman AviationMay | June 2023AirportImprovement.com'