Forming a Corporate Flight Dept

[AeroDork]

I'm currently taking a class in Business and Commercial Aircraft Management. The big final project is to do a feasibility study to determine if a fictional company should purchase an aircraft.

Now me, being the schemer that I am , have been thinking: Has anyone ever, or do you know of anyone who has approached a company and pitched them the idea of starting a flight department? Are there people (consultants) out there who do this, or is it typical for the company to start the process themselves?

 

[JJthejetplane]

I am considering taking that class. How is it?

 

[AeroDork]

It's actually pretty easy for someone who's currently flying. Pretty much a bunch of common sense stuff for the average pilot.

 

[G100driver]

.
Has anyone ever, or do you know of anyone who has approached a company and pitched them the idea of starting a flight department? Are there people (consultants) out there who do this, or is it typical for the company to start the process themselves?

Yes, they are called management companies. 9 out of 10 of them are the lowest whale turd on bottom of the ocean. There are a couple of worthy ones out there that can deliver on there promises, but for the most part they suck. The only thing worse is a charter broker. They truly offer nothing.

If you want to make money in aviation, you have start with a lot of it. The best you can a professional pilot is keep the owner of the airplane from getting screwed over by all the low lifes sticking there hands out trying to make a buck off a guy who can afford a multi-million dollar airplane. Do not get me wrong, I see nothing wrong with profit, but when you show up at some of these FBO's for maint., hold on!

Good luck on your studies.

 

[CorpLearDriver]

Now me, being the schemer that I am , have been thinking: Has anyone ever, or do you know of anyone who has approached a company and pitched them the idea of starting a flight department? Are there people (consultants) out there who do this, or is it typical for the company to start the process themselves?

Generally, it is the other way around. The company sees a need and they go out and find someone who will put it together for them. They generally start by chartering aircraft and then decide it is better to own one themselves, not realizing the expenses and other details involved in owning and operating an aircraft.

There are Management Companies that do this and will offer to charter the owner's aircraft when it is not being used by them. There are good and bad management companies. And while chartering the aircraft may offset some of the expenses, it takes some mighty sharp pencils and a sharp eye from someone working directly for the owner to actually make it pay off in the long run.

Now there are consultants out there that do nothing but get things going for the owner. The find the airplane that meets the client's needs, find the crew, set up the flight department either minimally or do everything required like provide operations manuals and get LOAs and waivers. Then they will likely turn the reins over to someone the company hires full time to be a department manager.

As far as approaching a company selling them on the idea of setting up a flight department, that would be a hard sell if you don't know them personally. IMHO.

 

[typhoonpilot]

The NBAA has/had a kit to help determine if a company would be bettter off with their own airplane or to continue using airlines/other means of travel. You might contact them to ask if they still have it. A long time ago I tired to get a company to think about buying a King AIr and making me their pilot. A friend and I used the NBAA info to make a presentation, but without them giving us info on their travel habits it was difficult to make a good case.


TP

 

[2000flyer]

http://www.nbaa.org/basics/