Originally Posted by
Rama
There are different levels of 135 ops. The most basic is a single pilot owner/operator meaming one person, one airplane. This means you have less requirements to meet such as simpler training programs, less required management personnel etc.
The good news with single pilot is there are not training requirements or training manuals or general operations manual. It is the easiest way to go. You can always add pilots and the manuals as you grow the operation.
Good luck with your endevour!
Corp-Capt
Keep in mind if you don't do the the single pilot certificate and you will need a chief pilot, DO and Director of Maintenance. This could be a huge cost if you don't have friends to help you out with this. If you start a Basic 135 Certificate, you can get a waiver to combine the DO and Chief Pilot Position and I believe the Dir of Maintenance as long as they are qualified. I would stay away from sub contractors, the paper work is not that bad as long as you follow the FAA guidance for it. An added benefit is that you will learn a lot by writing the manuals yourself.
Best of Luck,
John V
You are young, start up a basic certificate with 1 airplane and go from there.
Do as much of it as you can yourself, you can ask for help and guidance (PM me if/ when you are ready and have questions). But be involved in it.
Start as a Single Pilot Operator, then become a Single Pilot-in-Command Operator followed by becoming a Basic or Full Part 135 Operator.Guidance
I think the single pilot/single plane operation would be a good place to start. That's what we were before we got approved for the basic. You don't need a GOM (General Operations Manual) , or a Letter of compliance, and you don't need a training program. I think somebody already said it, but the OpsSpecs come from your FAA POI that is working with you. I just outlines what you can and cannot do.
Papa T
Please note, some of the above quotes are partial quotes, edited to keep the size of this post reasonable. I did my best to ensure nothing was taken out of context.
With that said, I too, want to start a little 'ol part 135 gig. My aspirations for this project are small. Basically, I want to use a part 135 operation as a vehicle to pay for my airplane. In time, if it is wildly successful (which it might not be), I could manage up to 3 or 4 airplanes...but, this would be a few years down the road.
My objective: Keep it simple.
My situation: I am an airline guy. In other words, I won't be able to fly for my own company for-hire.
My operation: Primarily flightseeing, secondarily flight instruction. I have a billion other ideas, but I'll pursue those some time down the line.
My quandary, and what I need help with:
Can I go the single pilot/single plane route if I am not the one flying my airplane?
I just want to have my airplane, and hire one pilot to fly it (seasonally), that's it! Simple enough.
However, the regs are not very clear to me. They seem to indicate that the single pilot/single airplane 135 certificate must be flown by the owner of the aircraft.
If I have to make a Basic 135 certificate for this project, I just don't see how feasible it is to have a: Chief Pilot, Director of Operations, Director of Maintenance, GOM, Training Program, Hazmat Program for one stinking airplane and one stinking employee!!!!
I need help!
Thanks for any and all assistance.
PS- This will be for a little floatplane, maximum passengers: 4. Most likely a 180, 185, or a M5, M7. For insurance reasons, it would not be an amphib.