Starting up a charter company

[aero99]

As a side note, using aircraft to make money in any realm IS a risky business and one should proceed the highest level of caution. Look at Legend. They had TONS of venture capital and experience and the competition squashed them by bigger pull through their experience and scarying the venture guys out of their wits until they backed out.

But one could look at stocks as just as risky. Look at Eron's (energy company in dallas) stock today- .61 a share, last year it was 90.00 per share. ouch!

ANY business has its associated risks. If one feels he can get in a market location that isn't being attended to very vigoriously with a new product (even in a charter op) one could make a good living at it. The real danger is that if you do make it then your competition will take notice and move in for a piece or your pie.

My advice in starting a venture like this is to move slowly and leave yourself a back door. Buy one plane, not 5. Get to where it is book solid and then buy another...etc etc. If it takes you 5 years to get to the point of buying your 5th plane it make might make more sense to sell one or all and call it a day.


Good luck in your venture.

 

[g159av8tor]

Good luck on you endeavor!!!

 

[Jetpup]

This link may be helpful - http://www.faa.gov/fsdo/orl/files/acc135/135cert.doc

The other posters have already said pretty much anything I would have said – I can tell you from personal experience that the Part 135 paper chase and approval processes can be tedious at best, and more often a nightmare - unless you apply as a single pilot operation – but even then it’s still pretty messy. Since you don’t have the time for 135 PIC VFR, I’m not sure you can even do that. As some of the others posted, you really need to study the market – being a dreamer is one thing – but when it’s your own money, you need to be a realist as well.

Anyway, I have no idea what you’re planning that will be so different – but good luck whatever it is!

 

[hawkerjet]

You'll never know unless you try.

 

[TurboS7]

Now is a good time to do it. If you want to fly you'll have to make your own job. Time will fly and you will be busy-you won't have any time to visit this website though.

 

[Huck]

I have seen folks use leased aircraft for their charter business. They find under-utilized corporate planes and get lease-by-the-hour contracts. Sometimes you can work a management deal too - you fly their folks under Part 91, and your customers under 135. And if you don't fly at all, you don't pay. If you get a deal like that on 4 or 5 aircraft, you shouldn't have any problems finding one available on any given day.

And be honest, be legal, be friendly -you'll stand out a mile in aviation!

 

[CitationCapt]

Certification process and some ideas

The FAA has the entire Part 135 certification process posted on their website. If you forget this link, go to the Atlanta FSDO site.

Here is the link: http://www.faa.gov/fsdo/atl/cer_index.htm



"The complexity of the process depends primarily on the complexity of your proposed operation, and ranges from a simple single pilot operation using a single engine airplane or helicopter under VFR to a complex charter operation employing many pilots and operating numerous turbine powered aircraft. Scheduled

Commuter operations or those involving aircraft of more than nineteen passenger seats are considered beyond the scope of this guide.

The FAA classifies operators into 4 classes, depending on this
complexity. These classes are:

1. Single Pilot Operator. An operator using only one pilot. This
is typically an owner-pilot operation using a single engine
airplane or helicopter under VFR. It could also include a single
pilot operation using a light twin under IFR with an approved
autopilot in place of a second pilot.

2. Single Pilot-in-Command Operator. An operator that uses only a
single crew for an aircraft requiring two pilots. Only one pilot
may be pilot in command. Any other pilots, up to a maximum of
three, must be only second-in-command.

3. Basic Operator. A Basic Operator is one that has a fairly
simple operation without multiple bases of operation or other
complicating factors and employs five pilots or less, and
operates five aircraft or less.

4. Standard Operator. Any operator that employs more than five
pilots or conducts operations of a complex nature involving more
than one aircraft base or pilot domicile. "


Here's a few thoughts/ ideas to ponder:

1) Research any upcoming US Forest Service summer fire patrol contracts by region. This may be done through the internet. A typical aircraft might be a 182 or a Commander 500B- something with high wings. During fire season you'll fly your butt off and never be home. This part 135 operation typically falls under the above classification #1- Single Pilot Operator.

2) Feeder cargo opportunities- you may need to know management real well at a local hub operation (UPS, Airborne mainly). Get to know these folks. It can be a hard sell if you don't have some history in the field.

Also, research the federal reserve bank (Atlanta?) site on the internet. There are contacts for securing cancelled bank check contracts. Another idea- check with local film processors to see who processes film at various cities. Then contact those film processors to see what it takes to haul their film. Finally, some large corporations need internal mail transfer to/from various operations. Find out who does it now, or who may need the service and make them an offer.



Good luck. Do you have alot of money or know how to write a good business plan?

Time to learn.