Part 135 Charter company for sale
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Standard/Full certificate |
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Jet operations |
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Unlimited Pilots Unlimited Airplanes |
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US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, Atlantic… |
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You can buy this company with or without the Jet |
You see there are a number of “Jet ready” charter businesses for sale. Most of them had a jet but not right now.
Do you know what happens if you buy a company that had a jet in the past but not one active now?
You could lose over 40% of the price you paid.
This is because part 135 operation specifications are based on the current aircraft in the certificate. If you remove the jet, not only you will be losing all jet authority, but also other features
like international operations, RVSM etc. That's why it is very important to buy a charter company which has an active jet.
When you are buying a charter company there are many important things to consider. Usually sellers don't provide these valuable insights to the buyer unless asked. Some of this information is
extremely important, in case a buyer misses them it could have a significant effect. The reason for creating this website is to provide insight and information to anyone looking to buy a charter
company.
Our family owns 3 aviation companies. I always tell the good along with any concerns to the buyers. They build trust in what we say and offer. Honesty is a good business model. It creates a great,
long term, solid foundation.
Working with charter company sellers and brokers I noticed they almost always over promise and under deliver. This situation often creates a significant difficulty for buyers in the long run.
They agree and promise things that are beyond their control.
I always tell only what I can do and what is under my control. So you can plan accordingly.
Unless you have extensive knowledge from owning a charter company before, you will likely need assistance and resources. I have built a network of resources, people and features.
I've noticed when people buy a 135 company they are highly focused on the 135 certificate. Yes, the certificate and features are very important. But 135 certificates are only an authorization to
fly a charter. You still need to build a business. This requires a large amount of knowledge and resources. We’ve built multiple successful, reputed companies from scratch. Key to success is the
business organization.
We have an extensive computer background and own a software development company.
For charter companies, with help from the FAA we developed an internal management system to operate everything smoothly. This system also helps management personnel significantly. You will get the
system. This is not software that you can get, it is an internal management system proprietary to us.
Company also has an elegant website with features like booking and customer database. Website is included and we can customize it to your needs. This alone will save significant time and cost.
Any business with associated costs such as salaries and subscriptions should be proportionate to the operation size. Some 135 businesses, for various reasons, have downsized from larger operations that could have much higher running costs involved. Changing these costly, existing systems takes time and in-depth knowledge of how to find them. This could kill the business before it becomes profitable. With my experience and large network of people and connections this company’s running cost is probably one of the lowest for a jet charter company.
Any part 135 company not active is a fixer. All 119 personnel. Active aircraft. No active compliance letters.
Many companies I found are not active or fully complied. Out of compliance is a high risk in part 135. It may seem simple but it could go in any direction. Compliance has time limits. Airplane is
30 days, 119 personnel is 10 days. You can ask for an extension but it is up to the FAA to decide. FAA personnel are federal employees. They are immune to civil litigation. Even though there are a
large number of FAA personnel that want to help, there are a few that don't. If 135 is fully compiled and active, it is safe. If it is out of compliance, it is unknown. If it has a bad history,
accidents, is a new certificate or if they have open compliance letters; all affect negatively.
I like to do projects. Fix and build things with family. Takes time but uses your brain and sharpens your skills. May save money. Not part 135s. I would not attempt to fix a part 135 in bad shape
even if it is at a very appealing price. Once you own and develop the relationship with the FSDO you can correct mistakes and handle non-compliance issues if they come up. But buying one just to
fix it is a NO for me.
- In full compliance
- Unlimited pilots and aircraft
- Large operational range of countries
- Flight Safety training program
- Over 45 years of history
- No accidents
- Large variety of jets and turboprops in its history
- Currently Citation II active
- New LLC name change
- Transition help if needed
- Expert consultation
Advantages of this part 135 company
1. Currently fully complied 135 charter company
This is one of the most important factors. A dormant or currently not complied 135 could take a year or more to get up and operational. When we purchased it, everything was ready but it still
took over a year for me to get through all the stages and become active. It is not only the time. It costs a considerable amount since you have to maintain all positions, conform the aircraft
and maintain commercial insurance among other things. I've seen many buyers misguided in this regard where it sounds easy and fast to start operations. It is not. Everything has to be approved
through the FAA. Also, from my experience, with non-operational 135 companies the FAA seems to lower the prioritization, which is understandable but means each stage takes longer to complete.
I've seen on some occasions where buyers were unable to get operational at all.
When the company becomes active and operational things are more routine and you can get any necessary help faster with the FAA as well.
Even though you are planning to use completely different types of aircraft and operation plan, it is best to buy an active company and gradually change to what you prefer.
2. Unlimited pilots and unlimited aircraft
Highest level certificate has the advantage of adding pilots and aircraft without restrictions on quantity. This is very helpful, especially because you can have standby pilots or co-pilots. The number of aircraft on the certificate is also unlimited. You can add any type of airplane. This allows you to bring other airplanes to the certificate to manage and fly.
3. Lage range of countries approved
This charter certificate has a large number of areas and countries approved for Jet operations. This is a significant advantage.
Atlantic Ocean - The Atlantic Ocean islands/nations Including: Bermuda, St. Pierre & Miquelon
Atlantic Ocean - West Atlantic (WAT) - The North Atlantic Ocean West of the Western Boundary of NAT/HLA to include the San Juan CTA/FIR and the Atlantic portion of the Miami Oceanic CTA
Canada
Caribbean Sea - Including the islands/nations and the Havana FIR - Including: Cuba
Central America
Gulf of Mexico
Mexico - Including: Mexico
USA - The 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia
4. Flight safety pilot training program
Approved Flight Safety training programs are a significant advantage. You have the option to do a checkride with the POI but training time in a jet is not cost effective. There are special discounted
rates for this company from Flight Safety, making it economical. Their training program is very thorough. Well experienced instructors. Other advantages is Flight Safety will maintain the training
manual and check airman status, reducing the workload.
Having internal instructors and check airmen is very helpful for a charter company. You can control scheduling and recurrent checkrides. Still, Flight Safety may be the best option for initial
training due to cost and aircraft use for training
5. Over 45 years of history
One of the main factors that the value of the charter certificate is dependent upon is how long it has been operating. Like fine wine, the longer the certificate has been around, the better the
value and usually the better the FAA treats them. Because the FAA can see the longstanding, good history.
This certificate has been operational for over 45 years. It has significant value, being operational for that long.
6. No accidents
How the certificate has been operated is important. Having any FAA violations, accidents or serious FAA warnings in the past affects the certificate. The FAA is likely to be cautious about a charter company with any of those marks in its history and it may be harder to get things approved. This certificate hasn’t had any accidents.
7. Multiple types of Jets and turboprops in history.
Company has been operating for many decades. It had many types of Jets and turboprops in history, Citation, CJ, Lear Jet, King Air and many other types.
Since they are approved by the FAA for the company, if you need to add these aircraft again in the future it is faster, less expensive and an easier process.
8. Citation 550 certified and active. We can sell the certificate with or without the plane
Most charter companies sell as a shell company without airplanes. You need to certify your own airplanes before you can start operations. This company gives you the option to buy the certified Citation 550 plane and start operations immediately.
9. Long standing certificate in a new company name
Even though the certificate is mature at over 45 years in operation, it was recently transferred to a new LLC. This is a great advantage because older companies can have liabilities or tax issues
that can come up at a later time. It is harder to search through all the years of history. But for a new company it is much easier.
Under only limited circumstances is the FAA willing to transfer a certificate to a new company. It is quite rare. We have this unique advantage of a long standing and valuable certificate held
by a newly formed company with clean liability and tax history.
10. Transition help if needed
When you buy a part 135 charter company it requires proper transfer to new ownership. The company can be transferred immediately but management and staff transfers need to be done in stages and take time, even though many sellers just want to sell the company and close the transaction. That could create problems in the future. We like to help with the transition, which is one of the most important factors.
11. Expert consultation
Unless you have owned a 135 company before and successfully operated it, you need consultation. Just like when doing anything else, successfully looking at all the factors and doing proper planning
is important for success.
For example, one gentleman I spoke to recently bought a 135 company and started operations. A few months down the road, the aircraft engine timed out. Since at that time engine overhauls took 6-8
months, the charters had to stop. This resulted in him losing customers and pilots. This could have been simply avoided by looking at the requirements and ordering an engine ahead of time. There are
many tools and software that make charter operations much easier.
I think it is important to be able to consult people who have practical knowledge. Someone who has owned a 135 or held DO or CP positions. If you have previous experience or the proper guidance that
is great. But if you need help we have staff with excellent knowledge and experience. Some of our staff members have decades of part 135 management experience in larger charter operations.
We can help with training, aircraft purchasing and upgrades, regulations and requirements, creating manuals, company websites, connecting you with charter brokers and many other services to make it
a successful business.
