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Starting 135

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check six

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 10, 2002
Posts
133
Looking at starting a small 135 operation. Own one King Air, 2 or 3 contract pilots and maybe leasing another King Air for backup.

Would it be easier to buy an existing certificate to get all the docs and manuals required by the FAA or file myself to get a certificate.

FAA says they are not giving out any new certs in my area at this time. Filing myself looks like a ton of work with some politics thrown in.

Thanks,

Check Six
 
KLIT FSDO told me recently that they were " so far behind and understaffed" that it would be 2 1/2 years before they would look at the first application and if I filed today, I would be forth in line.
Sounds like, if you want in, buying would be faster.
 
Starting 135 certificate

check six said:
Looking at starting a small 135 operation. Own one King Air, 2 or 3 contract pilots and maybe leasing another King Air for backup.

Would it be easier to buy an existing certificate to get all the docs and manuals required by the FAA or file myself to get a certificate.

FAA says they are not giving out any new certs in my area at this time. Filing myself looks like a ton of work with some politics thrown in.

Thanks,

Check Six
Click to expand...

Depending on how much a certificate would cost to buy. There have been a lot of company's that started out on other 135 operators certificates. They usually take a 10% or 20% cut of your charters, but might be worth it while starting your own. Think there are lot's of places willing to wheel and deal during these times.
 
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It will be alot of work no matter which route you pursue, especially if you have never been involved with 135. Yes some what easier if you able to buy an existing operation. Alot of money either way. Just know that you can't buy a certificate, despite what some people advertise. What you can do is buy an business/operator that holds a certificate and all the required personnel and control documents. Any name or operational changes you envision will have to have the blessing of the FAA. The FAA "owns" the certificate. If the wait period is not a factor, it sounds that a "small 135 operation. Own one King Air, 2 or 3 contract pilots" would be easiest done as a single pilot-in-command operation on your own. One PIC and up to 5 SICs. As a Basic operator you will have to have all required manual and management personnel (most likely with salary vs contract). What is your business plan? Are you looking to offset operational costs on the King Air? Do you expect to make money at it or as a hobby? Are you doing well in another business where you need a losing business to offset some tax liabilities?
 
Don't do it! The margins are small, workload very high. Dealing with the feds is very frustrating. For every one step forward they begrudge you they knock you two steps back.

If you absolutely have to do it go as a single pilot single airplane outfit; no manuals or management personnel required. If you go basic or standard you need full time management, pilot training, constant oversight, and several tonnes of aspirin.
 
I'm DO of a full 135 operation in the Northeast. It's a major hassle but if the business is there, it's worth it. You may consider having another firm manage that part of it until you're certain you want to go through with the process.
 
You could also call around to find a FSDO that is not so back logged. I heard someone in ABQ got things done pretty quickly. You'll just have to have some sort of presence in the district of the FSDO you chose.
 
waka said:
No, not really good advice at all. This is the worst of times to sell an airplane in any category. It is a buyer's market.
Click to expand...
Better to lose a hundred thousand dollars now and not suffer the slow, agonizing misery that is trying to break even with a one-plane charter operation.
 
Contact John at www.usac.com. He can help you figure out what type of 135 you need, your mission profile, and whether it is best to start your own or piggyback on an existing certificate.
 
I started my Charter company as a "single pilot, single aircraft" cert, then once we got that, upgraded to a "Full 135". I can tell you just waiting in the FAA que to get considered/looked at can take over a year. We had to hire a lobbyist just to get pulled out of it. Like everyone else said, it depends on your FSDO, but from what I hear, there is a long list of people in line, and ours isn't accepting new operating certificate applications. "Single Pilot / Single aircraft" operations can make money, but also holds you back just that one pilot. I'd look at having someone manage you until your our of the que or purchase a cert at a decent FSDO.
 

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