How can I start an aviation Business

[captnmayday]

Fellow Aviators:

I have been in aviation for 8 years now. I have done instructing, Bush flying, charter and Survey flying. When I started, I had the Regional Airlines in sight but soon I learnt that working in this cyclical field for someone else can only bring disappointments and setbacks.

I am a hard worker and a very honest person and willing to work 24/7 for the right operation but every company that I have worked for; got rich during good times and laid me and other pilots off when the going got tough.

I am fortunate to be employed during these hard times, however this is just a band-aid solution. I want to take the matters in my own hand and own my own aviation business. Part 135s are risky and need lots of cash to start. I am piching for ideas on where to start ... I like the idea of owning vintage a/c and offering rides or a small charter company with couple of light twins to do ad-hoc charters, fractionals on light twin and flight training ... I need a start and this site has been very insightful at times.

If you or someone you know have a success story, I appreciate to hear from you ... there is lotsa negativity out there but I am an optimist and would like to start planning. Iam reday to move anywhere for the right idea ... so go ahead and PM me with your ideas

 

[ClassG]

Probably not the idea you seek, but...

If I could swing it, I'd buy one of those $15,000 ultralights with floats and move down to Belize or St. Marteen. I'd sell 20-minute sightseeing tours right off the beach for about $50 apiece. End of a good day might be $500 and a killer tan. Live among the locals pretty cheap and never worry for anything. And hey, actually make some money doing it.

That's what I'd do. Almost every other flying business seems to be lucky to break even in the long run.

Seriously, though. I do have an idea for an aviation business that I think would make some money. It'd be seasonal, but if it worked, would make enough to cover at least my own annual salary. Then I could afford to fly charter and flight instruct the rest of the year without worry.

However, I'm not posting the idea here. Sorry.

 

[skootertrash]

If you wanna make a million in aviation.....start with 10 million.