prisspantz Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 Hi- This is what I think I may do, and you tell me what to change, or what to do different...I am thinking of buying a R44, getting part 135 certified, hiring a pilot that is CFI certified, and can get Part 135 certified, and opening my own business at the nearby airport. We live close enough to the Masters in Augusta, GA, which brings thousands to this area for a week, we live near Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, Savannah, Charleston, Charlotte, Macon, Atlanta, etc. (These places are all within 1 hour the way the crow flys) There are several things I could do with a Part 135 that would be beneficial to this area, and would be very much utilized. Is this the right helicopter to start off- while still trying to be the most economical. THere is not another helicopter outfit within hours. Thanks... Quote
PhotoFlyer Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 "The right helicopter" depends entirely on what you will be doing. Sounds like you just want to fly tours, which the 44 would do fine with. If you plan on flying charter, and want to be able to take baggage then the 44 probably won't work. Give us some more info so we can be of some more help. Quote
Rob2k Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 Your topic is Heli Flight School, so I'm assuming you want to train people. The R44 is a great helicopter, but the R22 is cheaper for training purposes. Quote
Wesp Posted January 6, 2006 Posted January 6, 2006 The R-44 is a great reliable helicopter. But you can only take three passengers. (Not to heavy), For tours it's very good, for flightschool purposes just to expensive. By the way if you have to hire a CFI and earn the money just with 1 helicopter, forget it. You can only make a little money when you fly/teach yourself. Why would you want part 135 certification?? Quote
prisspantz Posted January 8, 2006 Author Posted January 8, 2006 I would want a Part 135 to do chartering- as I have been "told" that is what I need in order to deliver and pick up people in different locations. Suppose I wanted to leave where I am and carry a family to the MAsters for the day, and pick a few people up in Augusta and bring a different couple back with me to where I am, wouldn't I need part 135 certification? I think that the CFI part would come later... I worry that the way the economy is, people won't be so quick to spend that kind of money to buy a heilcopter... Do ya think? I think that in the area I am in, I can make "decent" money with law enforcement contracts, media contracts, real estate contracts, etc. There is not another helicopter in this area that services any of these fields, nor a helicopter that is available to the public. Even the guys that go around and do the 3 minute rides at fairs and festivals, they make decent for that. The first little while we would just have to do whatever the public called for, and be available for most anything. That is why we are having such a debate on the "right helicopter"..... Thanks for the feedback... Any other suggestions or comments are welcome!! The R-44 is a great reliable helicopter. But you can only take three passengers. (Not to heavy), For tours it's very good, for flightschool purposes just to expensive. By the way if you have to hire a CFI and earn the money just with 1 helicopter, forget it. You can only make a little money when you fly/teach yourself. Why would you want part 135 certification?? I would want a Part 135 to do chartering- as I have been "told" that is what I need in order to deliver and pick up people in different locations. Suppose I wanted to leave where I am and carry a family to the MAsters for the day, and pick a few people up in Augusta and bring a different couple back with me to where I am, wouldn't I need part 135 certification? I think that the CFI part would come later... I worry that the way the economy is, people won't be so quick to spend that kind of money to buy a heilcopter... Do ya think? I think that in the area I am in, I can make "decent" money with law enforcement contracts, media contracts, real estate contracts, etc. There is not another helicopter in this area that services any of these fields, nor a helicopter that is available to the public. Even the guys that go around and do the 3 minute rides at fairs and festivals, they make decent for that. The first little while we would just have to do whatever the public called for, and be available for most anything. That is why we are having such a debate on the "right helicopter"..... Thanks for the feedback... Any other suggestions or comments are welcome!! Oh yeah- my husband is actually the one that is the pilot, and I will be running the business, but he will keep his other job for a few years to see how business is going to go... Have children- we can't be TOO risky... Quote
prisspantz Posted January 8, 2006 Author Posted January 8, 2006 "The right helicopter" depends entirely on what you will be doing. Sounds like you just want to fly tours, which the 44 would do fine with. If you plan on flying charter, and want to be able to take baggage then the 44 probably won't work. Give us some more info so we can be of some more help. I meant more like carrying corporate personel for a day or something like that. There are several large cities around where I am. I am really not sure what all exactly I will be doing, I am still researching, listening to the kind feedback I get here, and checking around... The scary part is you never know how an area will repsond to something like that. Will it be exciting for a few months to have a helicopter at the airport that is available to the public, or will there be a REAL use consistently? I feel there would be, but if there would, why hasn't someone else already done it? Scary!!!!!! Your topic is Heli Flight School, so I'm assuming you want to train people. The R44 is a great helicopter, but the R22 is cheaper for training purposes. This is very true, but then you are limited to ONLY instruction because of the size and weight capacity. can anyone tell me the ball park cost of operating a R22 verses an R44? Thanks for the feedback... Quote
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