Chapter 9- FBO Flight Operations AST 205

One of the major distinguishing factors of FBO’s are what type of flight services to offer: -Flight Instruction -Rental -Charter- Passenger/Cargo/Aeromedical -Aerial Photography -Sight seeing/ aerial observation -Agricultural Operations -banner/glider towing -Contract services Power/pipeline patrol mapping services -Specialized Training/Aircrew services –aerobatics –tailwheel –helicopter/airship/glider/balloon etc.

Charter Flying -Non scheduled (or very limited) -Currently need multi engine A/C for IFR -Pilots need at least 1,200 hours (500 VFR) and must pass a part 135 checkride -Must have an approved operations manual organizational structure: –Chief pilot/mechanic etc. –Responsibilities of each –Procedures –Accidents –Emergencies –Weather procedures –Fueling procedures

Charter Requirements ctn. -A/C must be on approved mx. program -Must apply for and display the operating certificate -You will be subject to periodic & random FAA inspections of your equipment, Personnel, and procedures

If you are going to rent aircraft you should consider the following for your rental policy: Who can rent and with what requirements flight time Check out procedures Currency requirements (Typically dictated by insurance) No show procedures Damage procedures Operational limitations ie. Night, IMC How do you determine what rates to charge? -Cost- Overhead (fixed costs) & variable costs -Competition rates

Aircraft insurance Insurance Considerations: –2 parts: Hull & Liability liability is a must- covers you in case of suit hull required usually if you don’t own the aircraft- replaces or repairs the aircraft. Hull insurance is similar to comprehensive or collision insurance for your car. Aircraft insurance is progressively more expensive as you obtain one of three types: All risks not in motion, all risks not in flight, or all risks.

If your FBO chooses contract flying: Ag surveying pipeline wildlife patrol Here are some contract considerations: –duration of contract –coverage area –flight path & speeds –pilot qualifications –Mx. requirements –duty time –payment *some operations may require a helicopter so be careful to weigh the $

Flight Instruction Advice -Private training is the most prevalent training -Out of 600K (+/-) pilots in the U.S., 40% have instrument ratings- and 8% have CFI’s -Most pilots are certified under FAR part 61 -FAR part 141 sets fourth more ridged rules ie: –Formal Operations Manual –Approved Facilities –Yearly instructor “stan” rides –Training is divided into stages (ie. Priv.-3) –Progress must be documented & filed –Several written stage exams are required –Lesson plans must be formalized –Chief CFI/Asst. Chief must give phase rides to determine student progress

Flight Instruction ctn. Turn Key programs are available through Cessna and piper which provide: –Training supplies –Documentation forms –Pre made tests –Billing/accounting templates –Aircraft maintenance schedules

CFI Quality Control CFI quality control is highly important to an effective training program: - Inbreeding can be a problem- errors perpetuate -Often a job is given to anyone with a CFI -Close supervision needs to be given to new Instructors and their student’s progress -Emphasize the importance of being neatly Dressed & groomed -Emphasize the importance of trying not to “Bump” students for other flying -Develop a policy towards freelance Instruction- you may be liable