Tearr Aviation Services: Statia's Ground Crew at the Edge of the Runway
The FBO that gets small planes fueled, cleared, and off the tarmac at EUX
Why Go
You're not shopping here in any conventional sense — you're checking in at the tiny FBO desk that keeps private flights and charters moving through one of the Caribbean's most under-flown airports. If you've landed at F. D. Roosevelt on anything smaller than the Winair Twin Otter, this is where your day on Statia actually begins.
The Experience
F. D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX/TNCE) is a single-runway strip on the west side of Oranjestad — a terminal barely bigger than a beach bar and a windsock that tells you more about the day than any forecast. Tearr Aviation Services runs the FBO operation here: Jet-A fueling, ramp handling, customs coordination, and the quietly essential work of turning a private aircraft around on an island with no jet bridges and no chain services. The vibe is unhurried and personal. You'll deal with the same handful of staff who know every tail number that touches down, and who will happily point you toward Baby Beach or a decent lunch while your plane gets serviced. For pilots ferrying through the SSS islands (Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten), it's the reliable middle stop — smaller than SXM, less weather-touchy than Saba's cliffside strip.
What to Try
Call ahead for Jet-A full-service fueling — pricing and slot availability are easier locked in by phone than radio. If you're arriving on a charter, ask Tearr to coordinate your customs and immigration clearance in advance so you're not standing in the sun with your logbook. After-hours arrivals are handled by request, but confirm before you file. First-time visitors should also ask about tie-down and overnight parking on the small GA apron — space is finite and the trade winds can gust.
Insider Tip
Weekday mornings before the Winair rotations from SXM are the smoothest window for a private turn — the ramp is quiet, the fuel truck is available, and the terminal isn't juggling scheduled passengers. Save the phone number (+1-721-520-1558) before you leave signal; cell coverage on approach into Statia is patchy and you'll want to raise ground before you're on final.
The Practical Stuff
Location: F. D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX/TNCE), Oranjestad, Sint Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands. Roughly 1 mile west of town — a five-minute drive or a short taxi from any Oranjestad hotel. Hours: Mon–Sun, 07:30–17:30; after-hours handling by prior arrangement. Services: Jet-A (full service), ramp handling, passenger and crew assistance, customs/immigration coordination. Payment: card and wire accepted for fueling — confirm with dispatch. Best contacted by phone (+1-721-520-1558) rather than email for time-sensitive requests.
Pair It With
- Baby Beach Guide — A short drive from the airport — the natural stop if your aircraft is turning and you have two hours to kill without going far.
- Antillean Horde Car Rental Guide — Closest rental option to the terminal for crews overnighting; grab a vehicle here and you're not stranded waiting on island taxis.
- Bacchanalia Guide — An easy Oranjestad lunch or dinner spot for crews on layover — walkable from most airport-adjacent lodging.
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment Guide — Practical overnight for pilots or passengers stuck by weather or scheduling — close enough to the airport for an early departure.
