Air Taxi / VLJ - a simple plan

flyingfish · Post by **flyingfish** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 11:46 am

I am fairly new to the world of aviation having just completed my PPL so please pardon my naivety.

My next goal is to move towards getting my commercial rating. After that I would like to fly passengers where-ever they would like to go and (this is the hard part) I would like to make some money

I was just wondering what possibilities there are for self employment as the owner/operator/pilot in an air taxi type service. For example, I buy a little C172, develop a killer website/booking service, attract thousands of interested passengers and fly them where-ever they want to go.

I have not seen any recent discussion in this forum and I am really curious as to why more pilots aren't pursuing this option?

What are the major obstacles for starting your own air taxi service? Government regulations? Insurance costs? Maintenance Costs? Capital costs to buy the aircraft? Drumming up enough business to make it profitable? Would this type of business be easier or harder to operate south of the border? Has anyone in the forum tried it before?

In light of the inconveniences of modern air travel, I would anticipate that there is strong demand for this type of service. Also with the number of pilots trying to build hours and gain experience I would have though that everyone in this forum must have considered this option.

Do you think that small air taxi companies employing VLJs will be feasible in the next 5-10 years?

Any advice or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.

Louis · Post by **Louis** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:12 pm

What are the major obstacles for starting your own air taxi service? Government regulations? Insurance costs? Maintenance Costs? Capital costs to buy the aircraft? Drumming up enough business to make it profitable?

I'd say "all of the above" from what I've seen up to now. I'll let others fill you in on the details as some here probably have actual experience with this.

And I'd forget the 172. Not enough payload for what you're planning IMO. Can't fly IFR with pax either.

With that said, we probably aren't in the same area, you might know something I don't, and I can only tell you to keep on digging.

Good luck,

Louis

phillyfan · Post by **phillyfan** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 3:54 pm

I think I would take my chances with shampoo bottle bombs before I would crawl into the back of a 172 with a 200 hour pilot at the controls.

flynbutcher · Post by **flynbutcher** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 7:03 pm

I see you are not getting much help from the peanut gallery on this one. As you are probably already aware, there is a sh#t load of red tape involved, not to mention insurance policies that may require you to have more than 200 hrs to operate a service like the one you are describing. However it has been done before and with the right help and contacts it can be done. If it were me, I would try to get at least 500-1000 hrs and some IFR experience under my belt before I tried though, not only will it help with the insurance premiums and availability but it will also give you a little more confidence when flying pxs around. Cheers!

mellow_pilot · Post by **mellow_pilot** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:25 pm

Try reading up on the appropriate regs http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Regse ... bpart3.htm

That'll give you an idea of what is in store for you. Look up the requirements for Chief Pilot, Ops manager, etc.. That's where your experience level is going to hurt, you'll need to hire competen people.

Slappy the Squirrel · Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:18 pm

I'm sure there are thousands of people out there who want to be shuttled around in a 172 with its wild cruising speed of 100 knots. Sounds like a good idea................ FOR ME TO POOP ON!!!

HighTime · Post by **HighTime** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:52 pm

Personally I think it's all about finding the market. I mean the money part is a no brainer...you either got it, or don't. If you have the right market then you've won half the battle. I would consider hiring a pilot with more time then you and get them to run the air taxi service and you fly right seat with him, use him as your experience. That being said, I would seriously re-consider the C-172 option, not many people like them or feel comfortable enough in them. I think that's why a lot of people use Navajo's, at least you get some sense of security. And when I was saying about getting experience from the other guy, think of the multi time you would get...even if you only made peanuts it's the time that would be worth it.

My $0.02

stevewilson · Post by **stevewilson** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:14 pm

My first job was flying for an air taxi operator in BC in--what else--a 172. It was some of the most fun flying I have ever done. I lived up in Sechelt just up the coast from Vancouver and flew forestry workers, rich German tourists and ship's Captains all over the coast but especially into YVR and YYJ. The company unfortunately went under a few years ago amidst heavy competition from the floatplanes in the area, but it was a great gig while it lasted. They did it for about 5 years I think, combined with a flight school using the same aircraft. I was flying 100 hours a month.

Dockjock · Post by **Dockjock** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:54 am

flyingfish,
Get out and get a job as a regular joe employee line pilot. Do that for a few years, get a few thousand hours, and then reconsider. You'll thank yourself for it.

flyingfish · Post by **flyingfish** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:31 pm

Thanks all for the advice!

PHILLYFAN - not to worry, I've got 60 hrs not 200. Care for a ride?

But seriously, sounds like the consensus it to get more experience before doing anything. Heck I still need my CPL.

Good to hear about your experineces stevewilson, that was what I was interested in. Do you think they would have been more successful using a different aircraft type?

buck82 · Post by **buck82** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 8:36 am

First you've got to get some time. Then I think you've got to look at what your market is actually going to be, what niche you're going try to slot into. For a 2 person short haul VFR charter the 172 works great. Cheap to run, affordable, reliable, gets the job done. Anything bigger and you'll find that the overhead skyrockets.. out of the range of where its comfortable anyway.. and then you NEED to fly the plane and generate hours to cover everything (gas, insurance, maintenance, overhauls, pilot, business) Find a Niche and who knows, you might just pull it off.

helinas · Post by **helinas** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:10 pm

"Seriously folks, would it make sense to hire your pilot to fly your charter aircraft and also be your chief pilot. And if anybody started a charter service using a seneca or navajo or partenavia twin aircraft what starting costs would they have such as insurance, and any other costs that takes a charter outfit to get off the ground.

Could it be done and if you included in your charter service a location in an airport such as Brantford where there is no real charter service other than the brantford flying club's aztec add like a boardroom, internet service, pilot services, weather info, sleeping quarters and even picking up your clients from the Brantford vicinity and bring to the airport so they can use your charter service.

Could it be done if you offer a great product and a good price.

thanks