How to Establish a Flight School

So, you love flight training and are thinking about running your own school? It’s always good to pursue your passion, but it’s also a wise idea to make sure you know what to expect. Remember that even though you are starting a flight school, at its core you will be running a business. Be sure that you are the kind of person that likes leading others and guiding the growth of your new organization into a successful business. If you are more interested in spending your time doing flight instruction, you may want to consider partnering with someone who is as passionate about starting and running a business as you are about teaching. The Small Business Administration has a great website with step by step directions for setting up a business (https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/10-steps-start-your-business ). Using their guide as a basic framework, check out the following aviation specific tips to help you on your way!

You’ll review the following steps:

• Conduct Market Research
• Write Your Business Plan
• Calculate your Start Up Costs
• Fund Your Business
• Pick Your Business Location
• Choose a Business Structure
• Choose Your Business Name and Register Your Business
• Get Federal and State Tax IDs and Apply for Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance