Comments on: How to Start Your Own Helicopter Charter Business http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/ Web site and blog for Maria Langer, freelance writer, commercial helicopter pilot, and serious amateur photographer. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:33:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: PANDIT BITTU http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-10140 PANDIT BITTU Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:32:45 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-10140 i want to start my own business in this field how much amount enough for this purpose i want to start my own business in this field

how much amount enough for this purpose

]]> By: Maria Langer http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-10101 Maria Langer Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:34:47 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-10101 Sorry, but I know nothing about flying in Africa. Sorry, but I know nothing about flying in Africa.

]]> By: Linda Gold http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-9961 Linda Gold Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:30:35 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-9961 A friend of mine is setting up a helicopter charter business in Nigeria. From my knowledge he has limited information and havent done any business before. He is young, resourceful and with enough money to set it up. What advice do you have for such individual? He is asking me to help with research on the business when I stumbled on this site. Please comment A friend of mine is setting up a helicopter charter business in Nigeria. From my knowledge he has limited information and havent done any business before. He is young, resourceful and with enough money to set it up. What advice do you have for such individual? He is asking me to help with research on the business when I stumbled on this site. Please comment

]]> By: Maria Langer http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-8832 Maria Langer Tue, 04 Oct 2011 02:41:05 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-8832 You're kidding, right? You need to understand more about helicopters before you go any further. Visit a helicopter operator, look, and ask questions. Good luck. You’re kidding, right? You need to understand more about helicopters before you go any further. Visit a helicopter operator, look, and ask questions. Good luck.

]]> By: Amy http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-8818 Amy Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:41:26 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-8818 I want to start a helicopter business with the purpose of transpotation and tourism at a strategic location that has no short-cut roads from land as it is all mountanious. My question is "how many people can fit into a helicopter as it will fly like an airbus?" And how much space needed to maintain a helicopter? (I have a 5 acre land can it be enough as a port? I want to start a helicopter business with the purpose of transpotation and tourism at a strategic location that has no short-cut roads from land as it is all mountanious. My question is “how many people can fit into a helicopter as it will fly like an airbus?” And how much space needed to maintain a helicopter? (I have a 5 acre land can it be enough as a port?

]]> By: Maria Langer http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2485 Maria Langer Sat, 10 Apr 2010 19:27:55 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2485 John: I pretty much agree. But I also believe that most businesses that fail are underfunded from the start and simply don't realize that they're likely to lose money before they start making it. John: I pretty much agree. But I also believe that most businesses that fail are underfunded from the start and simply don’t realize that they’re likely to lose money before they start making it.

]]> By: John Tokunboh http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2484 John Tokunboh Sat, 10 Apr 2010 17:38:00 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2484 Well unfortunately those who fail in the aviation industry never did a detailed feasibility study and usualy loose sight of a deciplined managerial strategy and end up finally drop the ball. You can be very successful in this industry but you must have strong finacial contingency backup at the begining, a sound management team and the ability to maintain market and operational cost analysis situation awareness at all times. Well unfortunately those who fail in the aviation industry never did a detailed feasibility study and usualy loose sight of a deciplined managerial strategy and end up finally drop the ball. You can be very successful in this industry but you must have strong finacial contingency backup at the begining, a sound management team and the ability to maintain market and operational cost analysis situation awareness at all times.

]]> By: Maria Langer http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2483 Maria Langer Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:23:51 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2483 Jujubeans: I didn't mention leasing a helicopter because my short experience with leasing -- three months -- was not enough to pass judgment on it. I do know that I got an unusually good lease deal that did not require a monthly minimum. If there had been a monthly minimum, I would have been working my butt off to pay the helicopter's owner rather than build my business. Jujubeans: I didn’t mention leasing a helicopter because my short experience with leasing — three months — was not enough to pass judgment on it. I do know that I got an unusually good lease deal that did not require a monthly minimum. If there had been a monthly minimum, I would have been working my butt off to pay the helicopter’s owner rather than build my business.

]]> By: Jujubeans http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2482 Jujubeans Fri, 09 Apr 2010 04:55:23 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2482 Why don't you mention leasing a helicopter. Why don’t you mention leasing a helicopter.

]]> By: Hunter Schultz http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2481 Hunter Schultz Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:46:12 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2481 <a href="#comment-133862" rel="nofollow">@Maria Langer</a> Thanks Maria. Come on down and enjoy the scenery. Panama is an outstanding place to fly. Every now and then, I am pressed into English speaking tour guide for the charter operator I represent -- who happens to be my wife -- and every single time I go up I see something new. The clients seem to enjoy the flight very well. I tend not to talk all the time and let the scenery say the obvious. Safe flying! Regards, Hunter @Maria Langer

Thanks Maria. Come on down and enjoy the scenery. Panama is an outstanding place to fly. Every now and then, I am pressed into English speaking tour guide for the charter operator I represent — who happens to be my wife — and every single time I go up I see something new. The clients seem to enjoy the flight very well. I tend not to talk all the time and let the scenery say the obvious. Safe flying! Regards, Hunter

]]> By: Maria Langer http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2480 Maria Langer Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:49:12 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2480 Hunter: Thanks for addressing Mark's comments. I wasn't kidding when I said I knew squat about Panama. Maybe one of these days I'LL look you up. While being an owner has its perks, I think it would be a lot easier to just be a pilot and let someone else deal with the headaches of ownership and business management. Thanks for stopping in! Hunter: Thanks for addressing Mark’s comments. I wasn’t kidding when I said I knew squat about Panama. Maybe one of these days I’LL look you up. While being an owner has its perks, I think it would be a lot easier to just be a pilot and let someone else deal with the headaches of ownership and business management. Thanks for stopping in!

]]> By: Hunter http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2479 Hunter Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:29:23 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2479 <a href="#comment-132725" rel="nofollow">@Mark </a> Mark, There are basically five commercial operators here and all do tours. (Which leads me to think you need to do a little more market research?) Most are doing fine with all the construction, real estate and other projects. Aircraft used are Bell 206s, Robinson R44s, various Eurocopters and Agustas. Your biggest hurdle is getting a commercial certificate. That can, and does, take years plus you cannot fly commercially until you have it. To get it, you need a hangar or rent one, ops manuals, seemingly endless forms to fill out, etc. Did I mention the need for a good aviation attorney that knows their way around Aeronautica Civil? A must have. There are ways to make money and get flying here. Just don't be an operator at the beginning. Now, if you really want to explore this further, contact me through my website -- www.aircharterpanama.com. Regards, Hunter @Mark

Mark,

There are basically five commercial operators here and all do tours. (Which leads me to think you need to do a little more market research?)

Most are doing fine with all the construction, real estate and other projects. Aircraft used are Bell 206s, Robinson R44s, various Eurocopters and Agustas.

Your biggest hurdle is getting a commercial certificate. That can, and does, take years plus you cannot fly commercially until you have it. To get it, you need a hangar or rent one, ops manuals, seemingly endless forms to fill out, etc.

Did I mention the need for a good aviation attorney that knows their way around Aeronautica Civil? A must have.

There are ways to make money and get flying here. Just don’t be an operator at the beginning.

Now, if you really want to explore this further, contact me through my website — http://www.aircharterpanama.com.

Regards,

Hunter

]]> By: Maria Langer http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2478 Maria Langer Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:49:17 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2478 Mark: You must think there's a reason I'll shoot you down. I'm a realist. Is that why you think I'll shoot you down? This post explains my "formula" -- what worked for me. If you're prepared to do something like what I did -- <em>and</em> move to Panama -- you should be good to go. I assume you've been to Panama and know the market down there? Regulations regarding helicopter operations? Business ownership by non-citizens? Pilot certificate requirements? Tax issues? Maintenance issues? If so, I can't shoot you down because you obviously know more about the situation than I do -- I don't know squat about Panama. Good luck! Mark: You must think there’s a reason I’ll shoot you down. I’m a realist. Is that why you think I’ll shoot you down?

This post explains my “formula” — what worked for me. If you’re prepared to do something like what I did — and move to Panama — you should be good to go.

I assume you’ve been to Panama and know the market down there? Regulations regarding helicopter operations? Business ownership by non-citizens? Pilot certificate requirements? Tax issues? Maintenance issues?

If so, I can’t shoot you down because you obviously know more about the situation than I do — I don’t know squat about Panama. Good luck!

]]> By: Mark http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2477 Mark Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:16:39 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2477 Hello Maria, I have read all of your blogs and wannabe pilots and their dreams and aspirations. I will tell you of my plans, and I am sure you will shoot them down like a kamikazee pilot barreling down at your aircraft carrier. I saw and understand your step by step approach to the biz. It sounds as if you discourage the thought of anyone even pursuing the dream. like its a complete waste of time. My best friend and I are recently both divorced, and have no pilots license..period, starting from scratch with our good credit and 401k in tact, we wanted to go to panama...the country and start this Helicopter tour business...very little to no competition. We wanted to start an exciting business and this seemed the one. We are willing to hire a pilot for us initially and front the startup, then get our license along the way...what do you think? Hold on....let me get my boxing head gear on, and my bullet proof vest, and my sport cup...hold on...there, got my hockey mask on now too...ok Maria...give it to me...dont hold back! Tell me what I dont want to hear, but need to hear...you got any positive advice as well? thanks Mark the wannabe heliciopter tour guy Hello Maria,

I have read all of your blogs and wannabe pilots and their dreams and aspirations. I will tell you of my plans, and I am sure you will shoot them down like a kamikazee pilot barreling down at your aircraft carrier. I saw and understand your step by step approach to the biz. It sounds as if you discourage the thought of anyone even pursuing the dream. like its a complete waste of time. My best friend and I are recently both divorced, and have no pilots license..period, starting from scratch with our good credit and 401k in tact, we wanted to go to panama…the country and start this Helicopter tour business…very little to no competition. We wanted to start an exciting business and this seemed the one. We are willing to hire a pilot for us initially and front the startup, then get our license along the way…what do you think? Hold on….let me get my boxing head gear on, and my bullet proof vest, and my sport cup…hold on…there, got my hockey mask on now too…ok Maria…give it to me…dont hold back! Tell me what I dont want to hear, but need to hear…you got any positive advice as well? thanks

Mark the wannabe heliciopter tour guy

]]> By: Altan http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2476 Altan Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:52:32 +0000 http://www.aneclecticmind.com/2009/04/12/how-to-start-your-own-helicopter-charter-business/#comment-2476 Tnx being honest. Tnx being honest.

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