ActiveAir
Pre-takeoff checklist
If the stars lined up, (in current economy) would you open or invest in a flight school? Start with a couple/three planes and build? I know liability is a big hurdle as well as maintainance, etc.
Depends entirely on the local market.
If the stars lined up, (in current economy) would you open or invest in a flight school? Start with a couple/three planes and build? I know liability is a big hurdle as well as maintainance, etc.
I've been there, done that except I did it with helicopters. I did fine and later sold the company at a profit, but I would never do it again, especially today.
The liability is atrocious. We live in a society of hungry attorneys looking at every avenue possible to make a buck, which drives the insurance up to almost unattainable limits. Plus the profit margins are very slim after you account for the maintenance, insurance, fuel, facility, etc.
Not a chance, the flight schools at Gillespie Field seem to be hanging on for dear life. Expect insurance alone to be in the neighborhood of eight or nine thusand a year per plane, assuming the plane is worth around 50K. Then you have your 100hr inspections, fuel, etc.
The old adage about making a small fortune in aviation definiitly applies to this proposition. Start with a large fortune.
John
If the stars lined up, (in current economy) would you open or invest in a flight school? Start with a couple/three planes and build? I know liability is a big hurdle as well as maintainance, etc.
Care to elaborate?Depends entirely on the local market.
If the stars lined up, (in current economy) would you open or invest in a flight school? Start with a couple/three planes and build? I know liability is a big hurdle as well as maintainance, etc.
If it could be done on a private strip or smaller local airport within 50 miles or so of a big city. One of the partners is an AI, one is a lawyer, and one is a banker.
Dan
What is an "AI"?If it could be done on a private strip or smaller local airport within 50 miles or so of a big city. One of the partners is an AI, one is a lawyer, and one is a banker.
Dan
The same way we do... step up prices accordingly. Sometimes, you suck it up for a period of time but when fuel prices come back down, you delay reducing rates to cover costs previously incurred.Not with fuel prices being so wildly unpredictable. How can you budget?
NO!If the stars lined up, (in current economy) would you open or invest in a flight school? Start with a couple/three planes and build? I know liability is a big hurdle as well as maintainance, etc.
I would enjoy doing it. But, I know the things I would not do as well as would do.
Willing to make it long-term a sweat equity start while paying to keep good people is key. Much of what I see now are not like that.
The same way we do... step up prices accordingly. Sometimes, you suck it up for a period of time but when fuel prices come back down, you delay reducing rates to cover costs previously incurred.