Striking out on your own?
- Thread starter darthpanda
- Start date
ppragman
No pasa nada.
Probably won't matter. I know that renting a tailwheel for solo isn't exactly common anywhere.
thehobbit
Well-Known Member
Then why are you working for your boss and not yourself? Is it because your boss can deliver something that you couldn't on your own?
RICHARD5
Well-Known Member
Heh, you and I think along the same paths. After all was done, the only way I could see getting 10 TW students per year was to hit the road. Build an easy to access web page and go to the student. Heavy marketing was the key.
Among other obstacles, I didn't cherish being on the road just to break even. An alternative is keeping an office at the nearest busiest airport. In either case, overhead just went through the roof.
RICHARD5
Well-Known Member
As constant as the sun rising in the east was the almost daily gripe by employees that the owner is a filthy rich bastard making a mint off the backs of them. Why, anyone could be a business owner, they thought.
So I opened my books to any interested to see. They couldn't believe that on some days they made more money than I. Being in business requires huge staying power.
Inverted25
Well-Known Member
Not really. Medina has a J3 for rent for 65 a hour wet. And you can solo it. I've done it a few times. Guy did a 1.5 hours checkout with me and signed me off to solo in it. Skypark has a C-140 that is 68 a hour wet. But you must carry you own non owners insurance for at least 30,000 hull to rent it.
But overall yea you dont see alot of tailwheels out there for rent. If i did ever offer tailwheel training in my own plane i wouldnt allow solo rental. It would simply be a tailwheel endorsement and thats it. I'm not sure you would have to travel alot to stay busy. Tom Brady has a cub on floats he does seaplane ratings in and he has a ton of students.
Here is what I'm thinking. I'll have my CFI-A here soon. I will be doing alittle bit of instruction at skypark. Since they have that c-140 for rent there I'm going to introduce all my primary students to tailwheel flying by having them use the tailwheel for one lesson during private to practice proper rudder use on landings. The price is about the same for the taildragger and the normal primary aircraft so it wont increase their training costs. I'm hoping this will get students wanting to fly the taildragger and hopefully they will want to get their taildragger endorsement right after private. This way I can judge how much interest there really is in getting a tailwheel endorsement.
So you're going with the vow of poverty. Me too. I think there are a lot of people in that situation.
Low&Slow
Ancora imparo
YES! A long time ago, I used to love to watch "Wings" and imagine myself as an owner of a similar type of operation, but somewhere warmer.
Now, however, with a wife, four kids, and a pair of golden handcuffs, I'm reluctant to quit my job and strike out on my own. I am planning on becoming an independent part-time CFI after I earn the certificate (should have it by the end of the year) and who knows what that might lead to. I also have other (non-aviation) passions/interests that I'm considering pursuing as hobbies turned part-time employment as well. It'll be extra income doing something that I enjoy.
If any of these things take-off (pardon the pun), I may be in a position to quit my job, but in my situation right now, it would be irresponsible and foolhardy to do such a thing.
Inverted25
Well-Known Member
Well not really. The problem is that combined the two of us are doing very well. So its hard to leave stability for the unknown.
darthpanda
New Member
Isn't that the point of this thread?
Seriously, if you want to nay say just ship it because I don't want to hear it.
thehobbit
Well-Known Member
Public forum, public responses.
darthpanda
New Member
:clap:
RICHARD5
Well-Known Member
THAT is the question.
My situation was I didn't use the commercial until 6 yrs after I got it. The reason is because it was difficult for me to wave goodbye to the money of my job and the stability it brought. If you cannot sell yourself, I doubt you'll sell it to your SO. You'll also most likely be separated for extended periods...at least in the first year or so. To ask her to move with you is like asking to sacrifice BOTH your incomes. I found no matter how much planning you put into the transition, your plan goes out the window right after launching.
In the meantime I simply went out and found fun flying to a) build time and b) to fly the funnest aircraft I could afford.
I would have done some things differently but no way would I have stayed where I was, in spite of the great income yada yada.
Oh yeah, retire your debt except the mortgage before you make the jump.
Inverted25
Well-Known Member
Yea my problem is that I enjoy what I do not too much to leave it. I have what I consider to be a awesome job in the retail/business world. And I fly both airplanes and gliders on the side. So right now I'm having alot of fun. But the business man in me will eventually win over and I will try it out. For now I can just dream. The dreams always seem better than the reality anyways lol.
RICHARD5
Well-Known Member
Don't let anyone rain on your parade. A goal is a wonderful motivator. Do it your way.
I suggest talking to a couple FSDOs to get the gouge straight from the horse. Find the guy in the back office who actually knows something about 135 start-ups. I also suggest acquiring some serious seed money to make your dream a reality. Either save it yourself or find a suck, I mean partner. Partners scare me, but it's your dream. :beer: