permison Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 I am thinking about setting up an aerial tour company. Would anyone be willing to answer a few questions about aerial tours from the business side of the operations? Would anyone be willing to share a business plan? Do aerial tours fall under part 91 or part 135? What is the avarage insurance cost? About how many flights a day? Permison Quote
Galadrium Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 Im game. We do tours. There are a lot of factors that will determine the answers to your questions. What part of the country are you planning on doing this? What helicopter? How much helicopter time is the pilot going to have that will be on the insurance, etc. What is your basic business plan? Quote
rick1128 Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 I am thinking about setting up an aerial tour company. Would anyone be willing to answer a few questions about aerial tours from the business side of the operations? Would anyone be willing to share a business plan? Do aerial tours fall under part 91 or part 135? What is the avarage insurance cost? About how many flights a day? Permison Check 14 CFR 199.1. depending on how many you do. You will have to get a letter of Authorization under 91.147 to conduct aerial tours and have a drug and alcohol testing program. If your tour is within a National Park, you will have to comply with Part 136. It is a specialized business, you might want to consider attending the Heliexpo and take part in their Air tour conferences. With few exceptions, it tends to be a seasonal business. Quote
BOATFIXERGUY Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 Rick and Galadrium make great points. There is a lot too it besides the tour(s). You'll need to do all kinds of homework to make it safe, legal, and profitable. You need a solid plan for the FAA under the new part 91 rules for sightseeing, drug/alc program, etc. Do your homework! If you have other questions after you talk with Galadrium and Rick, let me know. john Quote
Paisley Posted February 2, 2008 Posted February 2, 2008 (edited) Getting a drug and alcohol program going and a LOA is not difficult at all. Consult a drug consortium and contact the local FSDO. Edited February 22, 2008 by Paisley Quote
permison Posted February 4, 2008 Author Posted February 4, 2008 Thanks for the replies guys, The basic business plan came out of trying to put together a helicopter partnership for a R44. The monthly expenses were a little steep and I was looking ways we could offset the cost of ownership of the ship. I was throwing some ideas around with some friends at the local FSDO and come up with an idea for doing aerial tours in the DC area during spring and summer. My big concern was what FAR this would fall under. Since this seems to be purely Part 91 for where I would be flying tours, it was just a matter of getting approval from the powers that be. I am in the process of doing that. Here in DC we have some unique airspace to deal with and where I want to do the tours is inside some of the more restricted civilian airspace in country, The Washington DC FRZ. It is possible to get clearance to fly in that airspace (I do it all the time) it just requires getting vetted by the government (Which I have done). Then I need a place to base the flights out of which is close enough to where all the tourist will be (Georgetown) which will require local gov permission (still working on that). I have a specific route laid out which avoids the restricted airspace but gives really nice view of all the important monuments from the air. Then come spring time I think with all the people that come for the Cherry Blossoms and the DC monuments I can generate a pretty good seasonal tour company. So, I am in the process of doing all the leg and paperwork, I "think" I have a ship, and I am talking to a few about some walking around money while I get this off the ground, things look real good for a spring time launch. This is not my first start up (two software companies started and sold and rasied VC for funding) so I feel fairly confident on the business side. However aviation business is a new industry for me so I expect to have some mistakes and OJT. Your comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Permison Quote
HelliBoy Posted February 22, 2008 Posted February 22, 2008 I found that the hardest part of doing tours is striking a balance between what people will pay to ride in a helicopter and figuring out what the its going to cost you to give them one. It usually depends on the number of people who *might* want to take a ride. I've done one day affairs (festivals, fairs, parties, etc.) and it can be dicey deciding what to charge people and how long to take them. I envy your position because the riders are there for more than just the ride in the helicopter, they're also there for the sights and will probably pay whatever it takes for them to see it. Its a chore convincing Joe Shmoe to part with his bucks so his family can see the carnies having sex behind the RVs (true story) at the East Bumfuk County Fair. The best rule of thumb I've devised is to divide your forcasted reciepts from rides by 30% and multipy your operating costs by 30%. If things are still looking black then have at it. Have a well thought out and "living" plan and treat your helpers well. For those of you that have done tours what is/was your usual time/price rides? Quote
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