Chapter 9- FBO Flight Operations

1. Chapter 9- FBO Flight Operations AST 205

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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 $

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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