18 year old starts his own airline
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: London, UK
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Double standards?
Hmmmm....but if he had called himself "Now", planned to operate out of Luton instead of Oxford, with B737s instead of PA31s, you'd all be queing up to condemn him...
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In response to a posting in the Wannabe forum from somebody with similar aspirations, amongst the down doers I recall Alex Whittingham's reply of "Faint hearts don't win fair maidens."
Best of luck to the lad, although luck probably has very little to do with success.
Best of luck to the lad, although luck probably has very little to do with success.
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: South West Midlands
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I am appauled at a few of you. Especially you WEE WESLEY WELSHMAN. Why does this guy need to be subjected to some pro-active shaking. I think starting an airline is very pro-active don't you.
I can't see what the guy has done wrong. I myself am young (23) and I've founded and still run my own aviation based company that is now very successful - I still fly professionally. Every where I go I get labled as a rich kid that had hand outs from my parents. My parents don't have any money never did, I paid for all my training by running my first business and have bloody worked hard at it. Pretty much 16hrs a day for the last five years. Never had a holiday in that time! Maybe you need to look at Alpha 1 airways with a bit more respect.
You are typical of a synical employee who expects his boss to spoon feed him with opotunities - good luck to this guy for creating his own oportunities. I see you live in Cheltenham which is where I currently live, I hope I never have to speak with you face to face.
I think Alpha 1 Airways has a sound business model, yes the margins are small but providing there is enough working capital to cover the initial shortfall in payload and there is a favourable lease with Airmed then it just might work.
Come on guys, you of all people know what its like to work hard towards something and should know that it is wrong to put someone down just because they are giving it a go - and a bloody good one in this case.
I'm sure back in the days when you all needed hours you wouldn't have poo-pooed him enough to ask for a job!
Good on the guy - I wish him luck.
I can't see what the guy has done wrong. I myself am young (23) and I've founded and still run my own aviation based company that is now very successful - I still fly professionally. Every where I go I get labled as a rich kid that had hand outs from my parents. My parents don't have any money never did, I paid for all my training by running my first business and have bloody worked hard at it. Pretty much 16hrs a day for the last five years. Never had a holiday in that time! Maybe you need to look at Alpha 1 airways with a bit more respect.
You are typical of a synical employee who expects his boss to spoon feed him with opotunities - good luck to this guy for creating his own oportunities. I see you live in Cheltenham which is where I currently live, I hope I never have to speak with you face to face.
I think Alpha 1 Airways has a sound business model, yes the margins are small but providing there is enough working capital to cover the initial shortfall in payload and there is a favourable lease with Airmed then it just might work.
Come on guys, you of all people know what its like to work hard towards something and should know that it is wrong to put someone down just because they are giving it a go - and a bloody good one in this case.
I'm sure back in the days when you all needed hours you wouldn't have poo-pooed him enough to ask for a job!
Good on the guy - I wish him luck.
"several business plans were considered ranging from air taxi firms to a Transatlantic airline operating from Scotland. "
From an 18yr old who has worked in aviation since he was 14 no less.
And he hasn't created a damn thing. He is marketing a service operated by Air Med. Largely by using the mildly intriguing but wholly inaccurate proposition of having founded an airline at the age of 18.
Other than a nice website and a profitable 0870 telephone number I fail to see what has actually been created.
Naturally I wish him good luck, he sounds like an enterprising man. I'm sure he'll go far.
Cheers
WWW
From an 18yr old who has worked in aviation since he was 14 no less.
And he hasn't created a damn thing. He is marketing a service operated by Air Med. Largely by using the mildly intriguing but wholly inaccurate proposition of having founded an airline at the age of 18.
Other than a nice website and a profitable 0870 telephone number I fail to see what has actually been created.
Naturally I wish him good luck, he sounds like an enterprising man. I'm sure he'll go far.
Cheers
WWW
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I think this article in The Times today sums up exactly who Mr Halstead is, it captures him perfectly in my opinion. Come forward and take a bow Martin!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...536920,00.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...536920,00.html
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: uk
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Weasel Welshman (or whatever)
For someone who spent so many years as a GA wannabe I'm surprised at your attitude.
Or is it just green eyes?
For someone who spent so many years as a GA wannabe I'm surprised at your attitude.
Or is it just green eyes?
Last edited by normal_nigel; 24th Mar 2005 at 08:55.
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Was it not Richard Branson who said, "The best way to become a millionaire is to begin as a billionaire and then start an airline!"?
I genuinely wish this young guy all the luck in the world - he is probably going to need it!
I genuinely wish this young guy all the luck in the world - he is probably going to need it!
Join Date: Jul 2004
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As long as he doesn't have the interpersonal skills of one M O'Leary, the kid has my support. No reason why the route wouldn't work either - 2 of the most respected universities in the world connected by a short air link. I'm sure there must be plenty of takers for that one amongst the lecturers and students. Ever tried driving it?
Join Date: Apr 2002
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I remember, a long time ago, a young chap (admittedly not quite so young as the Alpha 1 male) and a PILOT no less (what do they know about running an airline?!) coming along with a business plan for a Bandit operation from Cranfield to LGW (or was it LHR?). A lot of people scoffed and laughed and but he perservered and modded the plan. Not long afterwards he launched Connectair and the rest, as they say, is history. . .
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Forgive me for being cynical, but would this project generate as much interest if this kid was 48, not 18? Does it matter what age he is if he provides a good service? I can't help thinking that 4 pages (and counting) on pprune is way, way more than any wrinkly old entrepeneur would have got had he started something similiar.
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Now, shoot me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't a fare paying passenger plane be Perf A capable?
Is the Navajo such?
Would we survive an engine failure in that ac, if it was full of pax and luggage?
Answers please.
Is the Navajo such?
Would we survive an engine failure in that ac, if it was full of pax and luggage?
Answers please.
Join Date: Jan 1999
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Well good luck to the guy, but maybe it is just my APP loan but is the best part of 100 quid return not a tad pricey for anyone going to cambridge for the day.... I cant see businesses justifying this when they could just pay mileage or get the guy to drive in his company car. 90 pounds for a student is a lot of beer to visit cambridge too.
Will be interesting to see what happens though
BigAir
Will be interesting to see what happens though
BigAir
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Why so many people having a go at the kid? Would you prefer it if he was out on the streets somewhere smoking weed and mugging old ladies?
Give him some credit - he is doing something with his life, more then can be said for a lot of 18 year olds these days.
I say "damn good show lad"
Give him some credit - he is doing something with his life, more then can be said for a lot of 18 year olds these days.
I say "damn good show lad"
Join Date: Jul 2004
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The rate for own car usage for business travel is currently 40p per mile. At 118 miles each way gives a total of £94.40 for the round trip.
The big plus this guy is offering is a considerable amount of time out of the “UK transport system” should you try the car or train option, which must be worth a few quid!
The big plus this guy is offering is a considerable amount of time out of the “UK transport system” should you try the car or train option, which must be worth a few quid!
Dude wrote:
According to the website they fly "Relax in the knowledge that you are being flown by some of the best pilots in the industry in one of the most popular and safest aircraft ever built."
Missed the bit about flying passengers in class G airspace as well.
According to the website they fly "Relax in the knowledge that you are being flown by some of the best pilots in the industry in one of the most popular and safest aircraft ever built."
Missed the bit about flying passengers in class G airspace as well.
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Profit????
Lets say 50.00 inc all taxes....less paxes etc, lets say 40.00. Less credit card costs of 3.5% lets say 38.50. Lets say 30 mins flying, (20 published). So lets make it easy 1hr. total cost to operator. Lets say 6 pax each way.
So potential return of 480 per rotation.
Just what does a PA31 come out at these days.....less Catering, etc, etc. I assume the cost of a PA31 charter these days is more than £1000 per hour.??????????????
I admire the concept but dispute the maths...someone prove me wrong.
The PA 31 is a Cat A aircraft, and I have operated them in UK on Scheduled services.....and yes they might climb out on 1 when donkey stops, but please plan the crash site.
PM is discussions needed.
Bumz
So potential return of 480 per rotation.
Just what does a PA31 come out at these days.....less Catering, etc, etc. I assume the cost of a PA31 charter these days is more than £1000 per hour.??????????????
I admire the concept but dispute the maths...someone prove me wrong.
The PA 31 is a Cat A aircraft, and I have operated them in UK on Scheduled services.....and yes they might climb out on 1 when donkey stops, but please plan the crash site.
PM is discussions needed.
Bumz