Earn money with helicopter

They might be reading about this in a post that remains the most popular of all time on this blog: I wanted to warn them, but without actively speaking out against Silver State and the companies that had adopted their strategy to turn a quick buck.

I just wanted readers to consider reality before signing on the dotted line. We all know what happened to Silver State. When students stopped signing up — due to their inability to get financing or a case of the smarts — and bills came due, Silver State collapsed, leaving many students in debt without their certificates and hundreds of low-time pilots looking for work. The best of the desperate got the entry level jobs they wanted. The others were left out in the cold.

And when the economy began to tank, even the employers cut back. Big seasonal employers at the Grand Canyon and Alaska hired fewer pilots than ever this year and even employers in the Gulf of Mexico began laying off pilots.

Instead, I got my commercial ticket and started my own helicopter charter business. Then I got a bigger helicopter and a Part certificate and, for all appearances, seem to be happily raking in the dough while flying around in my own helicopter. It would be even nicer if I could afford to fly it whenever I wanted to.

But the simple reality is that starting a helicopter charter business is a huge money suck. My aviation business spends more money than most pilots earn each year. If you think that starting your own helicopter charter business is a quick and easy, money-saving way to build a career as a helicopter pilot, think again. Unfortunately every word you wrote is true. It is very hard to encourage young, talented pilots to follow the route you and I have followed. I know your story and I know of no one who has worked as hard as you have to build and support your business.

You provide a wonderful service- one that is fun, but most of all safe and reliable. You have been shunned by the town you live in and all because you are a woman who is not afraid to speak up and voice your opinion.

In a town where tourism is all important, the powers-that-be have decided that your service is not worth encouraging and promoting. The local Chamber of Commerce which is supposedly set up to encourage ALL businesses big and small has gone to the point of black-balling you. I, for one, am saddened that your business, which could be such a spectacular addition to any vacation, has not been promoted more by a Chamber which receives, without question, huge sums of money to promote local businesses.

Years ago you ran the local airport and did an admirable job. Now, no one else wants to run it, and the town has taken over the mishandling of it.

Now, Wickenburg charges among the HIGHEST fuel prices in the entire state. Those used to the local politics know that in this town, money is king. I applaud you, Maria, and yet, hope there are a few determined young aviators out there who will remain fixated on their final goals and follow their dreams.

But Jim, we both know that there are few customers for my business in Wickenburg. The town is a retirement community. Heaven knows what we were thinking when we moved here. My business is not in Wickenburg. These people have never heard of Wickenburg, other than as a stop for gas or a big Coke on their trips between Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Oddly enough, my business is featured in the May issue of Arizona Highways.

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Ten pages of great prose and incredible photos about what I do. I camped out on the couch after a nice dinner and barely keeping from dozing off when I noticed my AZ Highways sitting on the end table. I usually read it from front to back and as I was reading the Editors comments through half closed eyes a familiar name popped out at me that immediately got my attention.

Thanks very much for your kind words about the AZ Highways issue. I think Keridwen did a great job writing the piece. Sounded so good, I wanted to take the trip! Thank you so much for sharing this information. I just found this via Google. I am a freelance writer and my husband is an Army helicopter pilot. He wants to start a helicopter charter business but it is kind of overwhelming.

Do you offer consulting?

You are kidding, right? Thanks Maria for sharing your experience in your write up. It is a candid expression of the realities in the aviation industry. However,I will appreciate if you can give me information on the basics of how to set up a helicopter operation. I have decided that this is what I want to do and burnt all bridges. Those are the steps I followed. That and about 10 years of your life should get you started, too. Maria, I am from Mongolia and want to open helicopter charter business here.

I would like to know where to start calculation for feasibility of this business in my own country. Moreover, could you kindly share your idea on how to choose proper helicopter and where. You really crack me up. People like you skim to get the gist and then ask others to explain it to them. But I have another special reason for not helping you: Who else would have the nerve to insult someone he wants help from? 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. My best friend and I are recently both divorced, and have no pilots license..

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? Tell me what I dont want to hear, but need to hear…you got any positive advice as well?

Regulations regarding helicopter operations? Business ownership by non-citizens? 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 s, 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? There are ways to make money and get flying here. Now, if you really want to explore this further, contact me through my website — http: 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! 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. I do know that I got an unusually good lease deal that did not require a monthly minimum. 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.

I pretty much agree. 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. I have a 5 acre land can it be enough as a port? You need to understand more about helicopters before you go any further. Visit a helicopter operator, look, and ask questions. 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. Hi Linda, did your friend ever start his helicopter charter business in Nigeria? As of Jan time of your post I know of 2 individually owned helicopter charter companies with the exception of Bristow Helicopters, which serves the oil and gas industries I was wondering if his was one of them.

If not, does he still plan on starting? It would be nice to talk with him, just to rub minds and share possibilities. I am originally from Nigeria born and raised , currently a US Citizen and active in the US Army. I am also a pilot but I do not fly for the Army.

I am an Ex Indian Army pilot, retired a Colonel and I now fly and work for a charter operator in India. I myself am working towards this … for two years now, after I left the Army…and trying to understand the industry.

It is difficult, but not impossible… we would be a bunch of Ex Army veterans …bums for years in the Army and now working on this. We believe that with good teamwork … it will see good time. Sure will keep blogging you…. Wish Good Luck for us. I definitely wish you good luck. I think the key is to move forward slowly and build your business at a pace you can afford. Word of mouth, networking, and a good Web site is worth far more than print ads, paid web links, etc. Thanks…Maria…For Good Wishes and tips.

Could agree more with you on the pace and focus. Here in my part of the Globe, our spoken reputation sells more in our kinda work… I am sure it must be the same there in Arizona. Finally the product in our work is delivered by the Flier…and that calls for personal unquenching thirst for delivery of operational excellence….. What do you say? Grt to hear these words from you with a first hand …… HANDS ON experience with a jump and leap into an adventure like this… Thanks…really and sincerely….

Ten or twenty years ago it may have been something lucrative. But in todays day and age with the economy as it is and with most people that cant pay the hundred bucks to fly for 15minutes, it is a dying form of income for us helo pilots. Not near as exciting as flying tourists around but very lucrative!! Sorry for the long intro but my question is, who did you go with for the lease and can you give me either on line or off, the requirments they had for the initial lease?

Thanks again and looking forward to hearing from you.. What an incredible waste of time.

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I field, on average, tourist calls a week and seldom fly more than 2 flights in the same time. I no longer do flights less than an hour long and that was probably the best decision I made for my business. Nowadays, you can expect to have to meet a monthly minimum for hours flown and will likely have to provide insurance, as well as pay for maintenance.

It all depends on which leasing company you go with. Yeah, The work I tried to get on a ticket was slim…. My ship is now too small the 44 and I need to move up.

This is the scariest moment in my business life…what to move up to. The 44 was economical and fuel friendly…the next ship wont be. I guess I am asking for suggestions. What can haul 4 passengers and be cost effective? I fly the Philadelphia, Jersey shore and Chesapeak area.

Any personal experiences would be a help. I have the opportunity to go to a helicopter school through College of the Sequoias, and have it all paid for, a 10 month crash course. I am highly competitive, and am natural at running machinery, just would appreciate your two cents for the best way to start making money as a pilot! Sounds like you think starting your own charter business is the way to go…..

I think this is a good way for interest by air cropt. Sheesh Maria I feel sorry for you. You write all that above and the point is clear in my opinion and then you get a bunch of folks asking you to direct them how to start a helicopter business. I read all the follow up post and found myself asking the same question as you did: I am from Ghana and want to open helicopter charter business here since the aviation business is booming.

I work for a living and cannot spend time providing free consulting services. Normally, journeying by an general air travel lead to a great waste of your energy. On the other hand with helicopter charter alternatives protect your efforts by organizing passes, applying, making lines for security, getting the bags etc.

In short, you avoid setbacks and protect lots of your power and attempt. Maria my name is Felipe Campisi, I have just purchase a helicopter business in Aruba and I am just trying to restart the company. I enjoy very much your comments and also I am completely agree with you and besides all the important details about how to start a helicopter company I feel that the must important thing is to have passion for this.

Thanks so much for your many insightful blogs about flying helicopters. A friend pointed out another idea for a chopper business courtesy of the Prairie Home Companion — Apache Lawn Service: We teach and learn by sharing what we know with others.

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An Eclectic Mind Web site and blog for Maria Langer, commercial helicopter pilot, freelance writer, beekeeper, and serious amateur photographer. Search Main menu Skip to primary content.

Skip to secondary content. A guide for the folks who really want to know. Spend 4 to 24 months preparing the paperwork and working with the FAA to apply for a Part certificate.

Then take and pass a Part check ride. Then repeat the check ride process every year. Then get the occasional call that leads to real work for someone who appreciates what you do and understand what it costs. After ten years and close to a million dollars spent building and maintaining your business, sit back and watch your investment in time and money languish in an economy where few people want to or can spend money on your services. Maria Langer on April 13, at 6: Dan Cullen on April 13, at 8: The rest of the magazine will have to wait for another day.

Congratulations, looks like another job well done. Maria Langer on April 13, at 8: Eyebee Ian May on April 13, at 5: Jessie Fitzgerald on November 13, at 1: Maria, Thank you so much for sharing this information. Thanks for offering this information. Good writing and good business, — Jessie Fitzgerald.

Maria Langer on November 15, at 8: John Tokunboh on November 26, at 6: Maria Langer on November 27, at 4: Altan on November 30, at 7: Maria Langer on November 30, at 8: Dustin on December 16, at 5: Maria Langer on December 17, at 9: Mark on December 3, at 7: Hello Maria, I have read all of your blogs and wannabe pilots and their dreams and aspirations.

Maria Langer on December 4, at 7: Hunter on January 12, at Mark Mark, There are basically five commercial operators here and all do tours. Maria Langer on January 12, at Hunter Schultz on March 5, at 5: Maria Langer Thanks Maria. Jujubeans on April 8, at 9: Maria Langer on April 9, at 5: John Tokunboh on April 10, at Maria Langer on April 10, at Amy on October 2, at 6: Maria Langer on October 3, at 7: Linda Gold on January 5, at 6: Akin on February 26, at Maria Langer on February 5, at 7: PANDIT BITTU on February 9, at Prashant Oak on February 16, at 5: Maria Langer on February 17, at 7: Best wishes for success!

Prashant Oak on February 19, at 6: Maria Langer on February 19, at 7: Prashant Oak on February 19, at Peter Judson on February 25, at 2: What about other aviaton buisness thats more creative than just charter. Maria Langer on February 25, at 5: Alan on March 9, at 8: Maria Langer on March 9, at 9: Stuart on April 15, at 1: Buddy on September 24, at 1: David Smith on May 1, at 4: Maria Langer on May 3, at 5: Roberto Brako on January 22, at 7: Maria Langer on January 22, at 7: Rahul Singh on April 1, at 1: Maria Langer on April 1, at 5: Yeah, and traveling by helicopter only costs about 10 times as much to go the same distance.

FELIPE CAMPISI on June 14, at 6: I will keep in touch once the operation is been restart and how will develop. Kyre Adept on November 14, at Thanks again for all your great information! Maria Langer on November 14, at What do you think? Subscribe via Email Get new posts by email. Show your appreciation one of the following ways: Buy something I've made. Use this link to shop at Amazon. Proudly powered by WordPress. Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address jQuery document.

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