Google to splurge $82M for airport facility | Hacker News Reader

Google to splurge $82M for airport facility

theregister.co.uk

16 pointsswohns10 comments

The HN title is misleading. What the article is stating is that Google is essentially building its own FBO [1] at the airport. There won't be any additional runways, nor control towers. Just a small (relative to commercial terminals) terminal and space for Google to store their planes at.

A little bit of background for people who aren't pilots / have never flown private before: if you're not flying commercial, you fly out of a Fixed Base Operator at the airport. These are usually on the other side of the airport from the commercial terminal, and are responsible for filling up planes with gas and providing hangar or tiedown space. They usually have a nice lounge area with flatscreen TVs, comfortable seating, and a pilot's lounge with computers that can be used to file flight plans and check weather. Some of the nicer ones go so far as to have beds for pilots who are doing a layover, and offer amenities like free snacks, and movie rooms. These FBOs have (in almost all cases) no TSA security - you just walk out to your plane and hop in. This is infinitely nicer than commercial air travel. The people at the FBO actually want to earn your business and treat you nicely, going out of their way to help you!

In this case, Google is just contracting with an existing FBO to build a new building with a lounge area, and building out more hangars to store planes, both of which will be exclusively for Google's use.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed-base_operator

> The plan calls for an $82m extension to the San José International Airport with hangers [sic] ...

An airport in a closet? Or did they mean hangars?

Next question. Where have all the proofreaders gone?

Where have all the proofreaders gone?

The same place the investigative reporters have gone. We get what we deserve.

The register is a tabloid, not a news site. God knows why this is even on the front page.

"Google's executive jets – of which is has at least eight – carry very few people in great luxury, with the larger aircraft in the Chocolate Factory's fleet coming equipped with double beds"

Chocolate Factory? What the hell is going on with this article?

It's The Register's friendly name for Google, and comes from -- I think -- Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, an impenetrable monolith where nothing was what it seemed and anything could happen.

Does Google have non-executive jets? I ask because Intel maintains a fleet of planes to ferry normal employees between sites called the Intel Shuttle.

Misleading title, forgot the 'exec enclave'. Google is purchasing a lease for hangers and terminal space. They are _not_ buying an airport.

Is it an extension to San José International Airport, or exclusive airport for google? How does that work out? I am confused by "The companies would be granted a 50-year lease and pay an estimated $2.6m in annual rent, along with an estimated $400,000 in fuel-flow fees and between $70,000 and $300,000 in new taxes."

I believe this means they are paying rent to the city for the land, which explains why San Jose is excited that it would bring in revenue.

I'm inferring the city is the recipient of rent, because the statement about rent is lumped in with fuel fees and taxes, which are already doubtless going to the city.

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