I may be dreaming, but let's just suppose for a moment that I could get my perfect flying job (flightseeing passengers around a beautiful island in a warm and sunny climate). What would I need, in order to conduct daytime flights only in VMC (no point in sightseeing in IMC!)..?
1) a CPL (would I even need an IR?)
2) an aircraft (four/six seater, low/high wing, retractable/fixed gear, purchased/leased... any views or type suggestions?)
3) an AOC..?
4) the right location, i.e. a non-congested airfield close to large numbers of tourists with money to spend
5) all the relevant insurances incl. liability insurance
6) lots of guaranteed good weather!
7) an understanding and generous bank manager to fund the set-up costs
8) any relevant permissions from the local authority
Would such a scheme actually make any money? Lets just say I charged pax £40 per person for a 45 min. flight and I had four pax at a time in a six seater, doing one flight every hour (when wx allows). That would be £160 income per hour less all the relevant taxes etc, minus the cost of the a/c lease, landing fees and fuel (no idea what a Saratoga/Cherokee Six or similar costs on a lease basis). Would it be more financially sound to have a four seater and only three pax?
No doubt someone will want to shout me down as an idiot for suggesting such a thing, but on the basis of this being just a pipe-dream, why not play along and give me some ideas what else I would need to consider.... after all it is a very boring Friday at work....
