We all know how important it is to have a great location for a successful business. Potential customers need to be able to find it and existing customers will want a place they like to visit. But what makes starting a flight school different is that fact that it’s located at an airport.
Business and other organizations located at a federally funded airport fall under the guidance of FAA Order 5190.6. ( See Link Here ) As a result, most airport managers and boards have established a set of Minimum Standards (See Link Here ) to guide the operations of businesses and other entities on field. It is designed to help airport management carry out the FAA’s directive of preventing “economic discrimination” of any party interested in operating at the airport. In other words, they are striving to maintain a level playing field for all parties involved. Please note that unlike most of our aviation activities that are overseen by the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), airports are under the local Airport District Office (ADO) which is where you can seek guidance or address issues for airport related matters.
ADO LINK: ( https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arp/offices/regional_offices )
Typical requirements for that you may see in the minimum standards at your airport are things like:
This beginning pilots' resource guide explains what you can expect from your introductory flight through initial training—and how to turn your dream of flying into reality.