Starting a flight department

[Lead Sled]

Join the NBAA. They have a complete "How to" program available on flight department startups. Good stuff.

'Sled

 

[hogdriver00]

Starting a new department

Let me add in my 2 cents about what IS required by the FAA and how a professional flight department operates. True, there is no need for an Ops manual. I number of posts have correctly stated that fact. Some people then went on to suggest this policy or that policy as a way to do business. Where or how would you keep track of all these business practices or policies? The answer is in an Ops manual that is signed by the CEO. How do you have any leverage with the boss about things like operating standards or weather limits? If you set the standards in writing and the CEO signs the document you at least have a leg to stand on. This goes for crew members as well.



Ops manuals cover a lot of areas. Here are just a few: Weather and runway limits, basic qualifications for crew members, safety programs, maintenance, basic operating procedures and crew duties, and the big one, emergency response.



You don’t need to reinvent the wheel either. Just talk to some of the local chief pilots or directors and ask for a copy of their manual in a word doc. They should be more than willing to help. Modify it to fit your needs.



You can run a Joe Bob/Billy Bubba operation or a corporate aviation dinosaur operation or you can operate a professional and safe modern corporate operation. The choice is yours.

Hog

 

[splatt]

I agree with hogdriver00. You don't have to have an Ops Manual, but it can help with decisions about going or not going, especially if there's something in black white that the CEO signed-off on. It does not have to be as elaborate as a part 135 manual either. It can be as simple as wx mins, minimum runway lengths and crew training requirements... Again, it can also help lower insurance costs because it shows you've set safety limits.

 

[hogdriver00]

New Dept.

That’s the one thing I forgot to mention. Get your insurance carrier to help you out with an audit. They usually help to lower your rates especially if you comply with their suggestions.

 

[corp_da20_guy]

Try Mariahfuels.com and join NBAA.org


there is alot of helpful info at NBAA

I agree with Capthuff...go to NBAA site and even consider joining. They have a lot of good info!

 

[PMVULB AvMgr]

Hire a scheduler/dispatcher with at least a couple of years experience. This individual will make your life much simpler, and can easily pay his/her own salary in savings realized with professional scheduling, fuel discounts obtained, and dozens of other responsibilities which translate into $ savings. With more than one airplane in the hangar this position is a must.

 

[Senior_Citizen]

About the OPS Manual, it is useful to define policies, as std procedures, information sharing between crew members ( Cap & F.O.) and mx personnel, Weapons and other objects to consider before a flight, pets on board, etc. Also an OPS manual defines responsabilities, w/o a Ops manual all the responsabilities belong to the dep. manager (maybe you).