Any suggestions?

[s0ldier93]

I am strongly considering going into the air-taxi/charter business. I would start this endevour with one single engine aircraft (TC-210, . . . . Piper 6 maybe), and enough captol to operate that plane and pay a qualified pilot (or 2?) for two years. i have a few questions.

What is a fair annual salary for an on call pilot in such an operation? I was thinking at least $35K. How far off am I?

Where does most of the business in this area come from? I was considering targeting small businesses. Any other suggestions?

Does anyony out there work for a small operation like this? Might you have any suggestions?

 

[bart]

I suggest you spend a day or two reviewing Part 119 and Part 135 of the FARs to get an idea of what is involved.

 

[TZRav8r]

I think Warren Buffet said it best, "If there had been a capitalist down there at Kitty Hawk, he should have shot down Orville and saved us a lot of money."

 

[wings421]

Invest the $$$ in the stock market. Don't try to get into the 135 market with a 210 or Cherokee 6.

 

[s0ldier93]

Thank you all for your replies.

Is it that grim at the moment? I thought the 135 market was growing due to airline frustrations and other things.

bart-
Will do. I am currently getting ideas and initial organization ready.

wings421-
What would you suggest as an entry aircraft? C-4XX or King Air maybe?

 

[wings421]

The choice of aircraft is up to you. You MUST target it toward your projected client base. I would certainly have an all weather - mulit engine aircraft. Baron, Aztec, Navajo would all be good entries into that catagory. Remember, if you are doing this for passengers, there is some part of a status symbol involved in chartering an aircraft. I doubt many would want to ride in a 210. Just suggestions though, I have no idea what your business plan includes. Again, its a very tough market to be entering.

 

[s0ldier93]

wings421-
Roger that. . . . . . Thank you for that perspective. Like Jamie fox said in Collateral, "I never thought about it like that." With a full load a can see how allot of comfort/efficiency factors would go out of the window. I'll redirect my thinking a bit. Please let me know if you have any other thoughts on the subject. Aside from the costs of optaing, maintianing, and operating an aircraft, what else makes it a tough market.

I am not set in stone in this venture. I've found that in creating a business plan, allot of factors are analyzed. Most of them looked good in the rough draft, but there was no oppsing opinion. Informative flames are welcomed.

 

[414Flyer]

Insurance is going to be killer too.

 

[bart]

Here is the real question:

Do you have $100,000 to purchase a 135 Air Carrier Certificate?

OR

Do you have two years and $25,000 for a consultant to get one from the FAA?


That is why I said review the FARs. It is not as simple as getting together a business plan, clients and capital, unless that capital plan includes buying an Air Carrier Certificate. In that case, you will need to operate 2 or 3 aircraft just to break even on the fixed cost of the operation. At a minimum, you will need a Directoor of Ops, a Director of Maint and a chief pilot, and each has minimum experience requirements. I believe that for single aircraft ops, the DO and CP can be the same guy.

So the idea of buying a SE airplane and flying air taxi or something tells me that you have started the financial homework, but have not even begun the regulatory, which in the end dictates alot of the financials.

 

[RichardFitzwell]

Don't use a single engine airplane for 135 ops. A Navajo would be the smallest I'd use (approx $500 - 600/hr). A King Air 90 ($650 - $900) would probably be your best bet depending on your location, clientele and bank account.



I’m a DO for a small 135 operation. We have a Lear35A, a King Air B100 and a C210. The C210 isn’t on the 135 certificate because of all the BS to get it certified (known icing, dual gen, etc.). Most corporations and individuals will not go in single engine aircraft (many also require two pilots in our King Air) for safety and insurance reasons.



Good luck. Do a lot of homework so you know what you’re getting into. Remember, it could take as many as 6 to 8 months just to get your certificate. Be prepared!