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