Legal Advice

[BrannonCarroll]

I earned my CFI, bought an airplane, and started instructing. I was told by the AP Manager that I had to stop instructing. He said I had to have a business license and commercial insurance. I got the business license and the insurance. I was then told the airport commission had to approve it.

Has anyone ever heard of this? I am not wanting to run a flight school. Just freelance instruct to build hours for an airline job.

Can someone tell you that you can't instruct at a public airport?

There are planes that fly in from all over, practice landings, practice approaches, etc.....are they told they can't instruct at this airport?

Any advice???????????

 

[bobbysamd]

Instructing at your airport

There are planes that fly in from all over, practice landings, practice approaches, etc.....are they told they can't instruct at this airport?

These are probably transient aircraft and are not based at your airport.

The airport manager may have a point. It may have something to do with use taxes and permit fees, or maybe some sorehead complained to him. Just for the fun of it, you might call the Airport Commission and/or your city councilperson for a clarification.

Good luck with your plans.

 

[Timebuilder]

If you are not an AOPA member, then join.

Then call and explain this dilemma to them. It's just the kind of thing they like to take on.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

maybe the airports manager's brother runs a flight school at the airport.

 

[midlifeflyer]

It happens from time to time.

Airport Authorities usually create minimum standards for operating businesses on the airport and use an approval process. You can bet that each airport business with a physical structure, whether it be flight school, fuel provider, or restaurant, had to meet the standards and receive approval.

Most airports don't apply this to individual flight instructors, but there's no real reason why they can't. There's usually some politics involved.

You need to get a copy of the minimum standards document and review it with someone knowledgeable (preferably an attorney) to determine whether it applies to what you are doing.

As an example, this is a link to a pdf file with the minimum standards for business operating at Jeffco Airport in the Denver area.

http://www.co.jefferson.co.us/ext/dpt/coatty/airport/minimum_standards-031902-3.pdf

 

[AviateYou]

I use to own a Part 135 Operation and I use to Flight Instruct, That sounds normal as I am sure the Airport has guidelines they have to follow by the convening authority. My advice is: to do as they ask and make sure you from a corporation to protect you for liabilty purposes and of course there are the tax benefits, you can depreciate your aircraft for 7 years. Goodluck.