Hi, I was just wondering if anyone has thought about buying a new Cessna for example and flight instructing out of a local airport privately? I thought if you had the money to buy a new glass cockpit Cessna, (something to give you an edge over the majority of the other flight schools out there using older equipment) find students or clients yourself and teach them to fly for a fraction of the price, You could coordinate your schedule to instruct multiple students five or six days a week it may be profitable business. I'm not sure of all the different regulations and what not that would be involved. I know the insurance would be significantly more. I'm sure there are a lot of costs that accumulate at big operations that you may be able to eliminate on your own, passing the savings onto prospective students. Anyway, just a thought. Do any of you guys have any thoughts or input that may know a little more about this subject?
Instructing with my plane.
- Thread starter wish2fly
- Start date
DE727UPS
Well-Known Member
Payments on a new Cessna will kill you. I'd go small and cheap.
There are no special regulations outside Part 61.
Insurance is quite expensive for instruction and rental but the key is to fly the plane enough to make up for it.
What you are thinking about doing, I have done, and know others that have been successful with it. I don't do it anymore cause there isn't enough money in it and the liability isn't worth it. Plus, I get enough of aviation at work.
Find a low time mechanic that will trade you wrenching for flying.
There are no special regulations outside Part 61.
Insurance is quite expensive for instruction and rental but the key is to fly the plane enough to make up for it.
What you are thinking about doing, I have done, and know others that have been successful with it. I don't do it anymore cause there isn't enough money in it and the liability isn't worth it. Plus, I get enough of aviation at work.
Find a low time mechanic that will trade you wrenching for flying.
meritflyer
Well-Known Member
FAR 91.409(b) says you have to have a 100 hr for flight instruction aircraft. Other than that, its all been said. A new payment on a C172/82 will be $1500 a mo with 10% down over 20 years at 7.05% APR..
flyguy
Well-Known Member
Its not a bad idea. Just like starting any business, there will be risk. I would definately stick with an older airplane that you can charge a competative rate for. A brand new glass cockpit airplane will force you to charge a very high rate, and most students out there are more concerned with price than fancy gadgets. That's where your edge will be - price - not a fancy airplane. There may be some doctors or lawyers out there who can afford the extra cost and would prefer to learn in a nicer plane, but as was mentioned earlier, the key is flying enough to make a profit. If the majority of your perspective customers would prefer a lower rate and don't care so much about the plane, you should cater to that. You'll end up flying a lot more and more profit will come.