If you had to start a small, aviation related business, in a large metro area

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If you had to start a small, aviation related business in a large metro area

What would you do?

From an outsider's perspective, the prospects for businesses involved in the general aviation and small transport industries appears have been bleak, with the big guys getting smaller and the small guys going away. Is there any particular under served segment of the general aviation market where there is an opportunity to make some money?
 
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I would personally like to see more parts/supply distribution places. Aircraft Spruce and such places are nice, but sometimes I like to hold things in my hand and get a better look than online pictures before I buy.
 
The joke about how to make a small fortune in aviation comes to mind...

;)
 
refurbing old but popular types of airplanes and "flipping them" but under a standardized process
 
Find a niche. I only do it part time, for 'fun' but im doing ok right now.
 
GA is dying. Unless you have a unique niche it is not good judgement to put your money into a shrinking arena.
Having a parts business looks good until you calculate how many millions of dollars you have to have in stock on hand and then project the volume and the profit margin.
If you do decide to try turning a buck in GA don't give up your day job.
 
Matt. I liked the T-Craft video. The first plane I owned was a 1946 BC12D.
Like you my dad took me flying beginning at age one month. Some of my best memories are flying with him in his J3 after WWII ended and we were allowed to fly again.
 
Finding a place to ply your trade is getting more and more difficult. many airports require the hangar usage as a storage hangar, or commercial building, where you must comply with fire and occupancy local rules. and they are expensive.

Right now, the most lucrative occupation is a Parachute rigger, with the jump clubs getting more and more popular they are in demand, but the training route is long term.
 
Dr. O said:
Matt. I liked the T-Craft video. The first plane I owned was a 1946 BC12D.
Like you my dad took me flying beginning at age one month. Some of my best memories are flying with him in his J3 after WWII ended and we were allowed to fly again.
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Thanks Denny! I really appreciate the fact I was introduced young, and that my kids enjoy going with me (for now anyway!) My daughter has already been asking about trips!


I think I have a pretty good niche right now, I focus on the older stuff, tube and fabric, I'll do 172's and the like occasionally, but only for friends and by reference. I'm not trying to get rich at it, but it funds my aviation hobby and a little more so that is nice. I only do about 3 nights a week and some weekends. Being the weather is about to turn I am pretty busy right now. I have customers ranging from a 1929 Travel Air to a '41 Chief, and a few of the '46 Aeroncas, cubs, Tcrafts. I enjoy the work so that helps a lot.
 
Here's an idea I've been kicking around but will never get to...post mortem deliveries. In the past people were born, grew up, died and were buried in the same general area. Now folks are moving all over the country and well, dying. The majors move bodies to major airports and then ambulances or hearses take them to the small towns for the funerals. I think there is a niche for delivery between the big airports and the small towns for airplanes.
 
cgrab said:
Here's an idea I've been kicking around but will never get to...post mortem deliveries. In the past people were born, grew up, died and were buried in the same general area. Now folks are moving all over the country and well, dying. The majors move bodies to major airports and then ambulances or hearses take them to the small towns for the funerals. I think there is a niche for delivery between the big airports and the small towns for airplanes.
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Most undertakers already cover pick up and delivery.
 
Tom-D said:
Right now, the most lucrative occupation is a Parachute rigger, with the jump clubs getting more and more popular they are in demand, but the training route is long term.
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Wow, if that's the most lucrative option, youre in trouble. I jump at a big DZ and the chief rigger isn't exactly making bank.

Gotta be somewhere that you can work on not only jumpers but pilot rigs as well.
 
Open an Aviation-themed bar.
 
Open a non-aviation business that pays for your recreational flying.
 
JCranford said:
Wow, if that's the most lucrative option, youre in trouble. I jump at a big DZ and the chief rigger isn't exactly making bank.
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Very seasonal business. Many seem to be nomads that follow the drop-zone circus around.
 
Re: If you had to start a small, aviation related business in a large metro area

Tummler said:
What would you do?

From an outsider's perspective, the prospects for businesses involved in the general aviation and small transport industries appears have been bleak, with the big guys getting smaller and the small guys going away. Is there any particular under served segment of the general aviation market where there is an opportunity to make some money?
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Low up front cost, minimal inventory, pretty easy training to come up to speed, ability to draw different markets to stay busy........

Vinyl Wrapping planes........ And cars and trucks when the aviation side is slow.... IMHO....
 
taters said:
refurbing old but popular types of airplanes and "flipping them" but under a standardized process
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I know a couple who tried this with Cherokees back in the early 1990s. Didn't work out very well.
 
Mile high rides in a Cherokee 6 set up to do them. Highest margin aviation operation in existence by a long shot. Now with Craigslist and Back Page, advertising is free and easy.
 
Henning said:
Mile high rides in a Cherokee 6 set up to do them. Highest margin aviation operation in existence by a long shot. Now with Craigslist and Back Page, advertising is free and easy.
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Local radio station gave a ride away in one of those a couple years ago "screw 'over' your ex!"
 
Re: If you had to start a small, aviation related business in a large metro area

Tummler said:
What would you do?
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If you want a small, aviation related business start a LARGE one.
 
Everskyward said:
I know a couple who tried this with Cherokees back in the early 1990s. Didn't work out very well.
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Different market. You could still find 10 year old cessnas and warriors then.

It works if:
- you find the right aircraft at low wholesale
- you buy paintjobs 10 at a time
- you have access to part time labor that doesnt need benefits
- you have talent finding used avionics off bankruptcy sales
- you have cheap shop space
 
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What has helped me out a lot with the development of my business was not asking, 'what kind of business to make?' but rather 'what problems do people have that I can creatively solve?' The more people you help, the more successful you'll be.
 
EdFred said:
Based on the average age of the 99's I would not want to see that.
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:lol: Although the Long Beach chapter when I was there would all qualify for Cougars if not Turkey Vultures, some of them were still looking pretty damned good.:yes: When you saw their WASP and WAVE service pictures, holy cow, Betty Faux was downright hot!
 
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One night over beers, my buddy who got me into flying and I decided a combination FBO + strip club would be the ticket. Nobody wants either in their backyard, and airports are usually zoned away from too much housing, so everybody wins!

:lol:
 
rpadula said:
One night over beers, my buddy who got me into flying and I decided a combination FBO + strip club would be the ticket. Nobody wants either in their backyard, and airports are usually zoned away from too much housing, so everybody wins!

:lol:
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I have previously proposed that and would be willing to invest. It's a winner, keeps the same money coming in the door whether they are flying or not. Strip clubs are second only to Self Storage as a license to print money.

No better way to study for your PP written than stage side.:lol: "Honey, I'm going to the airport to study."
 
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Henning said:
I have previously proposed that and would be willing to invest. It's a winner, keeps the same money coming in the door whether they are flying or not. Strip clubs are second only to Self Storage as a license to print money.

No better way to study for your PP written than stage side.:lol: "Honey, I'm going to the airport to study."
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Planes have a slight advantage..... They can't get preggers...:D
 
cgrab said:
Here's an idea...move bodies...
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Back in '79 & '80 when I was a lineman, the local FBO did a lot of charter. Some of them were "stiff trips." All the backseats out of a Cherokee 6 and plywood cut to fit made a flat floor that a gurney fit nicely on. Don't know if it'd be economically viable these days.

I think the biggest moneymaker would be "mile high" flights. You likely wouldn't make that much on the flights but you could make a ton selling the videos to porn sites! :goofy:
 
timwinters said:
Back in '79 & '80 when I was a lineman, the local FBO did a lot of charter. Some of them were "stiff trips." All the backseats out of a Cherokee 6 and plywood cut to fit made a flat floor that a gurney fit nicely on. Don't know if it'd be economically viable these days.
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We have a 'flying undertaker' on this board. It used to be quite common at one time that funeral directors shipped their own bodies, there is even a club of them. In a previous thread he mentioned that most have stopped doing it, not sure what the main reason was. Could have been a part 119 issue (after all they don't own the body like someone flying his own merchandise), liability or cost.
 
Henning said:
I have previously proposed that and would be willing to invest. It's a winner, keeps the same money coming in the door whether they are flying or not. Strip clubs are second only to Self Storage as a license to print money.



No better way to study for your PP written than stage side.:lol: "Honey, I'm going to the airport to study."
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And it supports single moms, so what politician could fight it? :)
 
weilke said:
We have a 'flying undertaker' on this board. It used to be quite common at one time that funeral directors shipped their own bodies, there is even a club of them. In a previous thread he mentioned that most have stopped doing it, not sure what the main reason was. Could have been a part 119 issue (after all they don't own the body like someone flying his own merchandise), liability or cost.
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UPS is cheaper. :)
 
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