Originally Posted by
Crieff-ite
With regards to "piggy-backing" yes, that would be the ideal situation and I'm currently contacting people as we speak but not having much luck. If you know of anyone, then I'd be grateful for thier number.
To find someone who might be willing to help you out depends on lots of factors - aircraft type, location, forecast charter demands etc etc. However, possibly the most important factor is your 'network'. Who did you do your training with, who are you buying the aircraft off, who in the industry actually knows you? Not wishing to be too blunt but a speculative request to most AOC operators (from an unknown person) would probably be turned down.
Originally Posted by
Crieff-ite
We will initially be setting up with a VFR single, trying to put everything in place to then take advantage of the spring weather when it comes around next year. There are plans for a Twin in the future.
You don't need me to tell you how haphazard the UK weather can be - any VFR aircraft is going to be more susceptible to marginal conditions than an IFR aircraft. This is obviously going to impact on your only revenue generator.
Make sure that you have a substantial contingency fund. What would happen to your income if we have a similar summer next year? It could potentially be an absolute nightmare if you can't fly but you've still got your costs to cover.
Maybe you could try to track down other single aircraft operators to pick their brains to see how they got it to work?
I'm not saying that it can't be done (because it obviously can be.) But think long and hard before committing too many funds to the exercise. I know that you don't want people to take the p1ss but the old adage springs to mind: 'How do you make a small fortune in aviation?'
Best of luck with your endeavour.
