With 735 FBOs pumping its products, aviation fuel provider Phillips 66 (Booth No. 2927) claims the title of number-one branded aviation fuel network in the U.S. Its current size is the result of four years of building tools and marketing programs aimed at helping the FBOs that sell Phillips 66 products to grow their businesses, according to the company. “FBOs do not run on fuel alone,” said Rod Palmer, manager, general aviation, ConocoPhillips. “They need sophisticated technology, accurate financial data, highly trained employees and a supplier that understands their business.” Phillips tools, safety and quality training programs, proprietary cards, loyalty programs, support for Compassion Flights and Young Eagles and more have helped FBOs compete in a challenging economic environment, according to the company. These efforts have helped Phillips 66 grow, as well. Since 2006, the Phillips Aviation network has increased by 37 percent. Here at the NBAA Convention, Phillips is sharing news of its diverse programs. In June the company launched a program to provide introductory membership to the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) for all branded dealers that were not already members of the organization. The company also offered its dealers free NATA Safety 1st online training courses. Phillips 66 launched a free online reporting tool that provides historical airport activity and aircraft operator contact information, enabling its dealers to identify the owners of aircraft on their own and their competitors’ ramps, or who previously attended major annual events in their cities, allowing for targeted marketing. The company also built on its association with “Miracle on the Hudson” first officer Jeff Skiles this year, bolstering its long-time support for the EAA’s Young Eagles program. Skiles attended youth flight rallies hosted at three Phillips 66 Aviation FBOs. At the rallies, pilots from EAA chapters filled their fuel tanks for 66 cents. The company’s avgas rebate for the Young Eagles program has been used by volunteer pilots to take some 400,000 Young Eagles aloft. Another fuel rebate program introduced this year will help volunteer pilots make some 4,000 compassionate flight missions each year, organized and approved by Angel Flight Northeast and Mercy Medical Airlift. Meanwhile, its WingPoints Rewards Card, launched in 2007, has become a valuable tool for attracting jet fuel customers to Phillips 66 branded FBOs. In contrast to other loyalty programs, WingPoints give FBO customers the freedom to earn instant points, immediately redeemable for gift cards, while giving FBOs the flexibility to run their own promotions. Phillips 66-branded credit cards have also helped drive customer loyalty and enhance dealers’ businesses. In addition, the FBO support programs have helped propel the Phillips 66 network’s growth. These include refueler leasing, excess liability insurance program, Partners-Into-Planes Contract fuel and others. The unanswered question: How many FBOs will be in its dealer network at the next NBAA?<o:p></o:p>