Starting a 135 company

[100LL... Again!]

As someone who is currently involved in the development of a 135 cert, here's my 2 cents.

Jeff foxworthy (I think) once said that getting married so that you can have sex is like buying a 747 so you can get free peanuts.

Starting a 135 op to get a flying job is like building a homebuilt from scratch so that you can get your private ticket.

You gotta really want to be in the 135 biz.
The paperwork is immense. As an earlier post mentioned, it took 5 months for a cert that allows one pilot and one airplane. And that was usung an ex-fed to do a lot of the legwork. My guess is since the aircraft is single engline that it's a VFR only op?
Now if you want 2 or three twins to do IFR? Not going anywhere for a while? Have a couple hundred snickers bars.

Unless you can get regular work hauling freight, you then have to go out and sell your services in the cutthroat pax-carrying industry.

The insurance companies are making harder than ever, as was also noted.


If it is what you (or your friend) really wants to do, then you will probably succeed.

BTW: You can go to your local FSDO and watch a video on the process.

Also check out FAA.gov, and hunt around for the 135 homepage.

Good luck! I know we'll need it.

 

[Timebuilder]

If they are clueless, that might be taken as a hint.


This should only be undertaken when they are fully clued.

 

[Rick1128]

Why dump on outsiders for being clueless when many FAA inspectors are also clueless. When I as an operator have to quote out of FAA Order 8400, the Air Carrier Inspector's Handbook done to the sub paragraph to an air carrier inspector, what does that tell you.

 

[Timebuilder]

It tells me we're dealing with a government agency.

Just imagine: what if an FAA inspector actually could legally interpret the regulations. Jeez, what a thought.

I'm not dumping on someone for being clueless, but I think they need to either fully school themselves or hire someone to fully school them before spending more than a few dollars on starting a 135 operation.