ORLANDO, Fla. – With Florida hitting a record high on gas prices this past week, it’s not just drivers taking a hit when it comes to fueling up.

Local pilots also have to adjust their normal routines.

Brad Pierce has been flying planes for over 20 years and serves as the president and CEO of Restaurant Equipment World.

“It’s really a critical element to our business, to running our business and to growing our business,” explained Pierce.

In his time as a pilot, his job has allowed him to make stops in all 50 states throughout the country.

Using his aviation skills allows him to help serve customers' needs. Even with all of his experience flying, this is the first time he can recall fuel costs being this high.

“The airport community throughout the country is made up of a lot of small, midsize types of businesses. Every one of us is certainly being hit by increased costs of fuel,” Pierce said.

According to the AAA Auto Club, the current average cost for just regular gas in the state of Florida is $4.49. This time last year it was $2.89.

Pierce says that the same impact can be felt in the aviation world, with gas averaging around $10 per gallon right now. 

Historically, it’s around $5.00 to $6.00, so these days Pierce says he’s being more intentional on where he stops to fuel up.

“These operators at these airports are being hit just as hard as all of us.”

As fuel costs continue to rise, there hasn’t been a location he’s been to that hasn’t been affected by the inflation.

His last flight covered 12 states, and he has another trip planned for later this week. He says he feels for the family-run businesses that run some of the smaller airport stops.