Part 135 in the USA... What's involved?

[Gunnner]

I'm a new guy here and am looking for a high level view of what is involved in starting a small 135 Air Carrier busniess? Would on have one seaplane to start with but just looking for some insight out there....
Thanks!

[FLEXJET]

NBAA provides the kind of information you need.

http://web.nbaa.org/public/about/committees/part135

Try to get a copy of the June 1997 AOPA magazine.
In the Turbine pilot section, page T-1, there is a nice story about Kingsland Air Charter, a 135 Air Carrier with a single engine Piper Lance.

[V1 Rotate]

Part of the FARs state that you MUST be a US Citizen !
Subpart C Part 121 or Part 135

119.33 General requirements.
(a) A person may not operate as a direct air carrier unless that person-
(1) Is a citizen of the United States;
etc. etc.

Hope this helps.
V1

[Gunnner]

no problem with citizenship... Thanks for the responses so far. The link was really helpful.

[EricCartman]

Gunnner,

You might get more feed back at a forum we just started which is 135 specific for the US market. In fact - since this community seems mainly European - I wonder if there is an opportunity to link up with our European colleagues.

The site we JUST launched is www.rsvpair.com.

But I think most of the advice you have rec'd is good:

a) gotta be a citizen (I am a Canadian who owned one by doing corporation with accountant & certificate of ops had its OWN corporation - very important to do this .. .. since you can then sell that corporation... but NOT the certificate)

b) start up ops are VERY hard - email me privately for tales of woe

c) Seaplane ops in the US have adverse insurance issues, unless you have a fleet of ten of them and fly them each 10 hours per day

As usual ... aviation is a tough gig.

Hope that helps.

->reply privately to adam(at)airwebster.com if you would like - or forum is fine too

[West Coast]

From time to time I see ads in trade papers and periodicals from retired FAA FSDO types who will walk prospective 135 operators through the process. No idea what they charge.

[Cyclic Hotline]

The simplest way is to become a single pilot Part 135 operator, if you are eligible. This will allow you to get out the door and running.

FAA Part 135 site (http://www.faa.gov/fsdo/atl/n135toc.htm)

As regards flying 10 aircraft and 10 hours a day - I'm not sure I follow this logic. I know a couple of seasonal large operators, but really, very few operators who would fall into this category. I suggest you go and take a look at the areas where there is a large amount of floatplane activity. You will find as many seasonal, single pilot operators as large companies.

I have operated floatplanes for the last 15 years, and maintained aircraft for a large number of single pilot 135 operators (many of whom are close friends). Like all kinds of 135 operation it can be challenging - but there are many success stories out there.