�Q: I am not like the average guy or gal who wants to work for some airline or corporate flight department. I have my own Internet consulting business, and I also have a Cessna 210. I was thinking about starting an air tour enterprise out here in the Rockies or maybe a Part 135 charter operation. Do you have any thoughts on these ideas?—Jackson from Pueblo
� A: Jackson, I am firmly in alignment with your goal of aviation self-employment. I have owned a 1980 Cessna Turbo 182RG since 1982 and have used it in some creative ways, all legal.
Believe it or not, I used to tow banners with it. Crazy idea! But when a client needed a banner towed over a concert 200 miles away, I did not spend four hours put-put-putting there in a Citabria; I cruised on over at 145 knots and carried the banner at 55 to 60 knots over the site.
If you plan to carry passengers, things can get complicated.
I recall when I owned a Cherokee 140 while in college. I had this great idea to post flyers around campus stating, “Need a ride home next weekend to drop off laundry at mom’s house? If you need to get to 200 miles or less, let me fly you in my Piper airplane!” Any FAA inspector reading this is probably gasping for air right now. Little did I know back then that I needed an air carrier certificate issued under FAR Part 135. Thankfully, nobody ever took me up on the idea (too costly for the average collegian), and I think the statute of limitations has expired for holding out to the public without an air carrier certificate in 1966.
More than a handful of airplane owners have toyed with offering scenic flights by airplane, and some have even become mildly successful. What could be simpler? Build a website; connect with resort and hotel concierge personnel; print up some rack brochures; off you go. Slip some patrons into a single-engine airplane at $75 a pop for a 30-minute flight and you are in business. However, the FAA has something to say about scenic tour operations in FAR 91.147. First, the operator must obtain a letter of authorization from the local Flight Standards District Office, which is not difficult. Then, the operator must enroll in an anti-drug and alcohol misuse prevention program. Additionally, Part 136, Subpart A of the federal aviation regulations is applicable.
Somewhere during primary training, we all learned that Part 91 scenic tours must begin and end at the same airport and not exceed 25 statute miles from that point. If you want more flexibility, wherein you can take off here and land there, then a Part 135 certificate is required. For the kind of operation you might envision with your 210, the FARs provide for a “single-pilot/single engine” option, which is much easier to obtain than a full 135 operation with multiple airplanes and pilots.
The chilling effect on scenic tours and ASEL Part 135 operations is insurance. When insurance rates quadrupled, I shut down my Part 135 business.
There are ways in which to put that Cessna to productive use and in a small way support your vice for flight. A chat with an aviation attorney and a certified public accountant might be wise.
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