Ben Rider is the owner and operator of the Mid-Atlantic's leading Fixed Based Operator (FBO) in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Started by the award-winning David Rider in 2003, this FBO in western Maryland is based on the Golden Rule: "We treat pilots and their passengers the way we would want to be treated," according to Ben Rider.

Dave Rider started the FBO, and was a champion for aviation and business in Washington County, Maryland. He was a well-known philanthropist and a successful general contractor. Ben Rider worked alongside his father for many years, and upon Dave's passing in 2019, Ben has grown the FBO and its services.

Rider Jet Center at Hagerstown Regional Airport - Richard A. Henson Field (KHGR) is based on years of experience and industry knowledge-and already has the reputation to prove it. This family-started and owned FBO, located on the airport's northwest quadrant, offers pilots and passengers excellent physical facilities, personalized service and some of the best customer service in the region.

Ben Rider is a graduate of Embry-Riddle. Ben operates the only FBO based at Hagerstown. The company is a full-service FBO, and Rider Jet Center is open "24 hours a day on call."

In addition to a well-stocked pilot shop, state-of-the-art WSI computers are available to departing pilots for weather briefings in the pilot briefing room. A luxurious, spacious passenger terminal and comfortable, attractive pilot lounges and snooze rooms, along with satellite television and conference rooms are also available. Friendly, professionally trained customer service representatives can make arrangements for hotel accommodations in the region, as well for rental cars and catering services. With a call ahead from a pilot, a courtesy car will always be waiting for pilots who will be visiting in the Hagerstown area.

Rider Jet Center offers Avfuel products, including Jet-A and 100LL, and attentive line service personnel to assist pilots. The staff is well known to be highly-trained, and are continually updated to industry requirements.

In addition to ramp or tie-down aircraft parking, the FBO also offers 40,000-square-feet of heated hangar space. Charter passenger service is also available.

"Our customers are number one," Ben says. "Our mission is to provide pilots, passengers and their aircraft with the highest level of safe and professional service in the industry." Ben mentioned that he has traveled and visited FBOs all obverse the country. "I have been to all kinds of FBOs, and while they all vary, I know what I expect when I see a great FBO. I think that's what we always strive to provide in Hagerstown."

As those who have flown into KHGR know, Rider Jet Center is a great stop, whenever you're traveling up or down the East Coast. The Grille at Runways is a fantastic restaurant, open everyday, except Mondays and several holidays annually. Pilots love flying in to KHGR, and visiting The Grille at Runways, to get great food, at reasonable prices. See: www.thegrillehgratrunways.com