A hangar is a building or structure for outdoor activities such as flying a plane or driving a car. The word comes from the military, where they would store and maintain planes and other vehicles outside of regular buildings. These days, you can purchase a ready-to-use hangar from a construction company or DIY it yourself with some friends.
Start With A Passion For Flying
One of the best things about a private pilot’s license is that it doesn’t require you to have thousands of dollars in the bank or to find a ride to work with a wealthy friend. Simply put, you can start small and own the airplane that you pilot. Owning a plane means you can use it whenever you want, which is great if you’re passionate about flying.
Piloting is a hobby that you can indulge in for pleasure or for work. If you choose to do it for work, you can apply for a commercial license, which requires employers to provide insurance and pay for any injuries or damage to third parties. You can also become a flight instructor, teaching others how to fly. Getting paid to teach others how to fly is a dream for some, but it’s also a way to fund your hobby and provide for yourself.
Make Money With Air Charter Services
If you’re looking for a side gig to help you make some extra cash, you can start up an air charter service. The demand for commercial flights increases as the economy improves. People are visiting more places and wanting to travel more often. People who are looking to charter a plane for a special event or to make some extra cash can reach out to you.
Although this is a fairly new industry, the demand for charter flights is growing rapidly. The number of people who will pay for the convenience of having a plane fly them to their desired destination is increasing. You will need to apply for a license with the FAA and, depending on the number of passengers, may have to register with the IRS as a transportation service provider. You must also consider purchasing insurance for the aircraft. The amount of paperwork can be a bear, so be prepared for the extra work.
Start A Helicopter Service
If you’re a pretty decent solo flier, you can start your own helicopter service. Like with a fixed wing service, demand for helicopter rides increases as the economy improves. People want to get out and about but don’t want to drive their cars all the time. Also, a lot of wealthy individuals want to have a private plane or helicopter ready to fly when they need to travel. Owning a helicopter means you can provide that service to these individuals.
The only difference between a charter and a helicopter service is that a charter requires an air operator’s certificate and a helicopter license to fly. You will need to register with the FAA as a commercially operated aircraft and apply for a certificate of registration. You will also need to familiarize yourself with the Helicopter Flying Handbook and be ready to take the test (for pilots). Once you pass the test, you can apply for an Airframe Special Warranty Certificate, which will require you to maintain the aircraft in good working condition. Owning a helicopter also means you can engage in other commercial activities, such as providing aerial photographs for commercial use.
Rent Out Your Hangar
If you’ve got a nice hangar and would like to make some money off of it, you can rent it out to commercial and private pilots. The demand for hangars increases as more and more people fly privately. If you’ve got a nice, private hangar, you can also use it to store your personal plane or to house your rental fleet.
If you’re looking for additional income, you can get a sign made with your company’s name on it and display it on your hangar door. Potential renters will then call you and make a reservation. As the demand for hangars increases, so does your income. You can even get into the helicopter business and start your own limited charter company.
Start An Aircraft Sales Business
If you’re looking for an industry that’s growing, consider starting an aircraft sales business. Just about anyone can do this; all you need is a garage or other space that you can use to house and display the planes you’re selling. Many people prefer to work from home, so if you’ve got a nice, quiet space with enough room for several desks, you can get to work without having to worry about traffic or parking.
A simple google search for ‘aircraft sales business ideas’ will pull up a variety of ideas that you can pursue. You can start by advertising in local newspapers or on websites like Craigslist to get potential customers. Once you get some signifcant traffic, you can set up a website and build a presence online. You can also reach out to other businesses in your area to see if they’re looking to purchase new equipment and take a look at your competitors.