Originally Posted by PeterPanPan
thank you for the few answers already, seems like we have a lot of bitterness accumulated against the UK CAA, I know the beast too and wouldn't ever start such business in the UK. It would be somewhere far away from EASA land on the southern hemisphere, sorry about being vague but the location doesn't really matter for the purpose of this discussion since I really want to hear what everyone has to say: US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EASA land...
PPP,
Australia doesn't (yet) have the restrictive practices of the CAA, but you really, really need to have a business plan before you commit to investing in any business. Buying a helicopter and waiting for the punters to walk in the door will see you broke in a month: it just doesn't work that way.
Some assured income stream is essential, even if it consists of joyflights every weekend at Country Shows around the state: cash income is a Good Thing
Better to have a contract up front, and then obtain the right machine to serve that contract: hawking the wrong helicopter for the job will both annoy the client, and drive you to distraction in a very short period of time. Never, never try to force the client into a helicopter because it suits you; it has to suit him as well.
Back to the business plan. Get all your costs sorted beforehand, and include absolutely everything that will cost you without any skimping. All DoC's and FoC's have to be budgeted regardless, otherwise your bottom line will soon go south. Just as important is marketing, Yellow Pages and internet presence is essential before the helicopter casts a shadow on the tarmac. Above all, don't confuse cash flow with profit: your charter rate must be enough to give a profit on top of paying the bills!
If you are seriously considering operating in another country to that in which you currently live and work then you'll be up against a host of qualifying issues. CASA require about 6 months to process an AOC application, including a Business Plan and numerous financial assurances, and a Chief Pilot for the AOC. Chief Pilot criteria are also quite onerous: for a new chum to arrive and get licensed and approved as a CP may be a big ask.
There have been many operators here who started small (I only had one B206 to start with) and moved on: a few friends back in UK have done much the same. Aeromega and Castle Air were both started by ex RN mates who also had a single B206 initially, and seem to have done well, so gloom and doom merchants aren't
always right
Whatever happens: good luck
