Greetings community,
It's been a while since I've posted on an aviation forum and I don't know if this one even existed back when I started but it seems to be pretty active now and I've appreciated reading some of the threads lately. I'm a captain for a major airline and work has been really slow for me lately due to aircraft deliveries and the number of guys being trained (I can't hold a line so lots of reserve at home). Not complaining but I've been having an itch to get back into GA and I like some of the innovations I'm seeing with GA aircraft.
I'm thinking about eventually starting a company that operates at a small airport and does a little bit of everything with perhaps a specialty in a popular type of aircraft, engine brand, and/or avionics. It would be flight instructing, maintenance, maybe surveys, perhaps 135 on demand. However, I don't think now is a great time to start a business, I think that the industry is sort of at an inflection point and the type of market/industry reset that comes every 10-20 years is right around the corner. So I intend to wait a couple years before starting the flight service company that I have in mind. I have a lot of instructing experience and I've turned plenty of wrenches but not on aircraft. A local community college is offering the A&P training for about 20k. I could try to get my A&P while I wait for the industry to be at more forgiving time to get into the business.
I know if I ran this type of business while also having a full time job, it would be all about hiring great people that I trust. However, I can't help thinking being able to help out in the shop when needed or at least know what the mechanics are talking about would be helpful. (Obviously it would be a decent investment in myself purely as a professional to boot.)
What are your thoughts on the value of having the certificate as the owner of a startup like this?
Thank you
It's been a while since I've posted on an aviation forum and I don't know if this one even existed back when I started but it seems to be pretty active now and I've appreciated reading some of the threads lately. I'm a captain for a major airline and work has been really slow for me lately due to aircraft deliveries and the number of guys being trained (I can't hold a line so lots of reserve at home). Not complaining but I've been having an itch to get back into GA and I like some of the innovations I'm seeing with GA aircraft.
I'm thinking about eventually starting a company that operates at a small airport and does a little bit of everything with perhaps a specialty in a popular type of aircraft, engine brand, and/or avionics. It would be flight instructing, maintenance, maybe surveys, perhaps 135 on demand. However, I don't think now is a great time to start a business, I think that the industry is sort of at an inflection point and the type of market/industry reset that comes every 10-20 years is right around the corner. So I intend to wait a couple years before starting the flight service company that I have in mind. I have a lot of instructing experience and I've turned plenty of wrenches but not on aircraft. A local community college is offering the A&P training for about 20k. I could try to get my A&P while I wait for the industry to be at more forgiving time to get into the business.
I know if I ran this type of business while also having a full time job, it would be all about hiring great people that I trust. However, I can't help thinking being able to help out in the shop when needed or at least know what the mechanics are talking about would be helpful. (Obviously it would be a decent investment in myself purely as a professional to boot.)
What are your thoughts on the value of having the certificate as the owner of a startup like this?
Thank you