Starting a Business
How to Start an Aircraft Transport Business
Opening an aircraft transport business is an excellent entrepreneurial opportunity as long as you separate yourself from the competition. We provide a few secrets to give you a jump-start on planning for your business.
Here are several valuable recommendations on how to open an aircraft transport business.
The Demand for Aircraft Transport Services
The relocation of private aircraft isn't as easy as it sounds. Although it may seem painless to relocate a private plane from Point A to Point B, professional aircraft transporters are often called on to deliver small craft to remote destinations -- a feat that may not be achievable by the plane's owner.
The owners of private aircraft frequently turn to professional aircraft delivery companies to relocate their winged beauties overseas. Consequently, your startup will routinely be required to perform trans-oceanic crossings in small planes (e.g. Cessnas). Sound risky? It can be -- but with the right preparation, you can minimize the risks and create a highly profitable small business.
Characteristics of Effective Aircraft Transport Entrepreneurs
Flight expertise is an obvious prerequisite for aircraft transport entrepreneurs. But a pilot's license isn't sufficient to run a safe and profitable aircraft delivery business. Your operation will need to be staffed with pilots who are familiar with a wide range of aircraft and have experience in transporting small planes long distances.
And that's where the other side of successful aircraft delivery entrepreneurism comes into play: Sound business skills. At various times, you will be required to wear the hats of a marketer, a sales rep, an HR manager, a business strategist and more. If you haven't owned a business before, it's imperative to educate yourself about the fundamentals of small business ownership before you commit actual resources to an aircraft delivery startup.
Supplementary Revenue Stream in Aircraft Delivery & Relocation
Many aircraft transport companies supplement the income they receive from aircraft deliveries by offering an array of other services to their customers. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to consider including aircraft brokerage, pre-purchase test flights, plane refurbishing, aircraft customs & importing, and other service offerings to your business model.
Since most plane relocation companies allow owners to accompany them on their flights, consider hiring pilots who are certified to provide flight training. During relocation flights, owners can get flight hours and your business can collect an additional fee for flight training en route.
Business Plans for an Aircraft Transport Business
A common mistake for a new business owner is to not create business plan for your startup aircraft transport business.
A good business plan establishes both a framework and a roadmap for your business. If you don't have a business plan, your leadership will be handicapped, limiting your aircraft transport business's ability to succeed long-term.
The first step in creating a business plan is to develop a mission statement for your organization. From there, it's time to initiate the hard work involved with writing the rest of your aircraft transport company's business plan.
Don't Overlook the Competition
Prior to opening an aircraft transport business in your area, it's a good idea to find out how strong the competition is. Use the link below to generate a list of competitors near you. Complete the form by entering your city, state and zip code to get a list of aircraft transport businesses that are close by.
Before you open up shop, make sure you know what you will offer to your customers that provides a significant advantage over your competition's offering.
Learning More About the Industry
If you are seriously contemplating launching an aircraft transport business, it's a wise move to have a conversation with someone who is in the business. If you think your local competitors will give you advice, you're being overoptimistic. Why would they want to educate a future competitor?
However, a fellow entrepreneur who has started an aircraft transport business outside of your community may be more than happy to give you a few tips, provided that you won't be directly competing with them. In fact, they are often very willing to share startup advice with you. In my experience, you may have to call ten business owners in order to find one who is willing to share his wisdom with you.
So, what can you do to find an aircraft transport business founder in a different locale who can assist you?
Here's one way to do it. Just use our link below, find somebody and call them.
Benefits of Buying an Aircraft Transport Business
As a would-be aircraft transport business owner, the impulse to build a company from scratch is in your blood. But the harsh reality is that startup aircraft transport businesses experience a high failure rate compared to entrepreneurs who buy existing aircraft transport businesses.
The decision of buying vs. starting a business shouldn't be taken lightly. While other startups are just getting on their feet, a business purchase dramatically improves the odds that your aircraft transport business will be realizing net income from the outset of your ownership engagement.
Is Franchising the Right Option?
Your chances for becoming a successful entrepreneur are much greater if you become a franchisee and benefit from the prior work of others and their lessons learned.
As part of your process in starting an aircraft transport business, it's worthwhile to investigate whether purchasing a franchise might make your life much easier.
The link below gives you access to our franchise directory so you can see if there's a franchise opportunity for you. You might even find something that points you in a completely different direction.
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