Ever since George died & Jerry Barnett took over, this place is a DRAG...
I hangared my historical 1941 J-3 cub there for almost 20 years. I was ill for several years and didn't go to the airport for about 5 years and just paid the monthly hangar bill via bank EFT. At some point between 2010-2015, the FBO's roof where my cub was hangared developed holes and started leaking on my airplane (not sure when, but it looked like it leaked for several YEARS).
Instead of telling me the hangar was leaking and my 75 year old airplane was not protected anymore, Jerry Barnett decided to just email the monthly bills. He did not include a note saying, "FYI: your airplane is getting wet; we're not going to fix the leaking roof so you might want to find another spot for your cub." Nope, he just kept sending bills, collecting rent and kept his mouth shut.
Jerry Barnett is dishonest and a big jerk. Read on...
I found out about the leaks in May 2015 when I decided to start flying again after getting my health situation straightened out. I realized what was happening when I saw the items being stored under my wings while moving the cub for it's first annual since 2012 or 2013 (to Harold McMurran's Southeastern Aircraft Rebuilder's -- another mistake). Moontown always stored stuff in the hangar as it was a shared arrangement, but they had never stored stuff under my wings. So I asked Jerry about it and that's when he finally told me about the leaky roof. He kept his stuff nice & dry under my airplane's wings and never mentioned anything to me! Wow!!!
Soon after that, my dog (who had only been to the airport two times) lifted his leg and almost urinated on the ratty FBO furniture and Jerry Barnett went ballistic on me. He started loudly yelling at me. I couldn't get in a word and it was kind of embarrassing. He called my dog a mutt and told me not bring him to the airport anymore. He also said that I had laughed about it. I didn't laugh but instead reprimanded my dog, telling him no and making him sit down next to me. I don't let my dog do that but Jerry would not listen.
[Jerry was very concerned about the RATTY 20 year old FBO furniture but he was not the least bit concerned about an historical aircraft getting wet because of a leaking roof he decided not to fix.]
Jerry could have easily (and politely) asked that I keep my dog outside the FBO because he was worried about the furniture. Instead he decided just to yell and refuse to listen. Then, after the repairs were complete and I wanted to get my airplane out of there, Jerry refused to sell me gas. Imagine that, a pilot refusing to sell another pilot gas. I had to haul in some AVGAS I bought at North Huntsville to get the hell out of there.
Before all this had happened, I had just paid 6 months of hangar fees with my AmEX instead of an EFT. After learning of the leaks, I called AmEx and told them about the leaky hangar and how it had caused rust on my cub, which had caused extra repair costs. I sent them proof from the mechanic (Harold) who listed rust as an item on my $10K repair bill. AmEx took back the six months of hangar rent from Jerry because I DO NOT PAY RENT FOR A LEAKY HANGAR! Boy, did that make Jerry mad!! He formally protested but AmEX sided with me.
George would have never done this kind of stuff to another pilot.
Anyway, Moontown used to be good and fun but IT'S NOT ANYMORE. STAY AWAY, at least until Jerry Barnett is gone!
bye bye Jerry Barnett... kiss my grits! read more