How to start a Helicopter Tour Business?

 

how to start a helicopter tour business plan template

Are you interested in starting your own Helicopter Tour Business?

Introduction
A helicopter tour business is a great way to see the sights and sounds of your city from a new perspective. But before you can take off, there are a few things you need to do to get your business started. Here's a quick guide on how to start a helicopter tour business:
1. Choose a helicopter. There are many different types of helicopters available, so you'll need to do some research to find the right one for your business. Consider the size of the helicopter, the cost of operating it, and the type of tours you want to offer.
2. Get certified. In order to fly a helicopter, you'll need to get a pilot's license. There are many different types of pilot licenses, so be sure to get the one that's right for you. There are also other certifications you'll need, such as a mechanic's license if you plan on maintaining your own helicopter.
3. Find a location. Your helicopter tour business will need a place to take off and land. If you're planning on offering tours of your city, try to find a location near popular tourist attractions. You'll also need to make sure that your landing area is large enough for your helicopter and that
Business Plan
If you're thinking about starting a helicopter tour business, the first thing you need to do is create a business plan. This will give you a roadmap to follow as you start your business and will help you stay on track as you grow. Here are a few things to consider as you create your business plan:
1. What are your business goals? What do you want to achieve with your helicopter tour business? Write down your goals so you can refer back to them as you make decisions about your business.
2. Who is your target market? Who do you want to sell your helicopter tours to? Research your target market so you can better understand their needs and how to reach them.
3. What are your marketing strategies? How will you let potential customers know about your helicopter tours? Create a marketing plan that outlines your strategies for reaching your target market.
4. What are your financial goals? How much money do you want to make with your helicopter tour business? Make sure your financial goals are realistic and achievable.
5. What are the legal requirements for starting a helicopter tour business? Make sure you are familiar with the legal requirements for operating a helicopter tour business in your area.
Target Market
When starting any business, it is important to first consider your target market. Who are you trying to reach with your product or service? With a helicopter tour business, you could target anyone from corporate groups looking for a unique team-building activity to couples looking for a romantic way to see the city. Knowing your target market will help you better tailor your marketing efforts and ensure that you are reaching the right people.
Business Model
If you're thinking about starting a helicopter tour business, there are a few things you need to know about the business model. First, it's important to understand the market for helicopter tours. What kind of customers are you targeting? What kind of tours do they want to take? How much are they willing to pay? Once you understand the market, you need to develop a business plan. What kind of helicopter will you use? How will you find customers? How will you market your business? How will you price your tours? Finally, you need to implement your business plan and start flying tourists around! This involves getting the proper licenses and insurance, marketing your business, and making sure your customers have a great experience..
Competitive Landscape
The helicopter tour business is a competitive one. There are many helicopter tour businesses competing for the same customers. To be successful, you must carefully consider the competitive landscape and develop a strategy to differentiate your business. The first step is to understand your competition. Who are they? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are they doing well and what could they be doing better? Once you have a good understanding of your competition, you can develop a strategy to differentiate your business. Perhaps you can offer more personalized service, more unique tour options, or better value for the price. Whatever your strategy is, make sure it is clear and compelling. Differentiating your business is essential to success in the helicopter tour business. With careful planning and execution, you can make your business stand out from the rest.
Costs & Pricing Strategy
If you're thinking of starting a helicopter tour business, one of the first questions you'll need to answer is how much it will cost to get started. Here's a look at some of the major costs you'll need to consider:
1. The cost of the helicopter itself. Obviously, this is going to be the biggest expense involved in starting your business. You'll need to factor in the cost of purchasing or leasing a helicopter, as well as ongoing maintenance and fuel costs.
2. The cost of hiring pilots. Unless you're a qualified pilot yourself, you'll need to factor in the cost of hiring pilots to fly your helicopters. You'll need to ensure that your pilots are properly licensed and insured.
3. The cost of insurance. Insuring your helicopter tour business is essential to protect yourself from potential liabilities. You'll need to get liability insurance as well as insurance for your helicopters themselves.
4. The cost of marketing and advertising. You'll need to invest in marketing and advertising to get the word out about your business and attract customers. This can include everything from print and online advertising to PR and event marketing.
5. The cost of office space and other overhead expenses.
Forming a Legal Entity
If you want to start a Helicopter Tour business, you will need to form a legal entity. This will protect you from personal liability and help you raise money for your business. You can choose to form a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation. Each type of entity has its own pros and cons, so you will need to choose the one that is right for your business. If you are the only owner of your business, a sole proprietorship may be the best option. This type of business is easy to set up and you will not have to deal with much paperwork. However, sole proprietorships offer no personal liability protection, which means that you could be held responsible for debts incurred by your business. Partnerships are similar to sole proprietorships in that they are easy to set up and offer no personal liability protection. If you decide to form a partnership, you will need to choose a business partner who you can trust and who has complementary skills. It is important to have a written partnership agreement that outlines each partner's roles and responsibilities. A limited liability company (LLC) offers personal liability protection and is a good option for a small group of founders.
Opening a Business Bank Account
When you’re ready to start your Helicopter Tour business, one of the first steps is to open a business bank account. This will help you keep your personal and business finances separate and will make it easier to track your expenses and income. To open a business bank account, you’ll need to have the following information and documents:
-Your business name and address
-Your Social Security number or Employer Identification Number (EIN)
-A list of the owners, officers, and directors of the company
-Articles of incorporation or a business license
-A voided check or deposit slip from the account you’ll be using for your business
Once you have all of the required information and documents, you can visit your local bank or credit union to open a business checking account.
Setting up Business Accounting
If you're starting a Helicopter Tour business, one of the first things you need to do is set up your business accounting. This will ensure that you're keeping track of your finances and that you're complying with any financial regulations that apply to your business. Here's a quick guide to setting up your business accounting:
1. Choose an accounting software. There are many different accounting software packages available, so do some research to find one that will suit your needs.
2. Set up your chart of accounts. This is a list of all the categories of income and expenditure that you will track in your accounting system.
3. Set up your bank account. You will need a business bank account to manage your finances effectively.
4. Keep track of your income and expenditure. Make sure you keep accurate records of all money coming in and going out of your business.
5. Prepare and file your tax return. Once a year, you will need to file a tax return for your business. Make sure you keep on top of this so that you don't miss the deadline
Setting up Business Insurance
As a business owner, it is important to protect your company with the proper insurance. When setting up a Helicopter Tour business, you will need to consider the following types of insurance:
-Product liability insurance: This will protect you in the event that a product you designed and printed causes injury or damage.
-Professional liability insurance: This will protect you in the event that a client suffers damages as a result of your work.
-Business property insurance: This will protect your equipment and premises in the event of damage or theft.
-Business interruption insurance: This will protect you in the event that your business has to stop operations due to a covered event.
-Employee dishonesty insurance: This will protect you in the event that an employee steals from your business.
Speak with an insurance agent to determine which policies are right for your business
Setting up a Business Website
If you want to start a Helicopter Tour business, one of the first things you need to do is set up a website. This will be your online home base, where potential customers can learn more about your business and what you have to offer. There are a few key things you need to include on your website:
-An About page: This is where you can tell your story and give potential customers a sense of who you are and what you stand for.
-A portfolio: Showcase your best version on your website so that potential clients can see your work.
-A contact page: Make it easy for people to get in touch with you by including your email address and/or social media links.
-Pricing information: Let visitors know how much you charge for your services.
By having a well-designed website, you’ll be able to attract more customers and grow your Helicopter Tour business
Obtaining the Necessary Permits
If you want to start a helicopter tour business, you will need to obtain the necessary permits from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). To do this, you will need to submit an application for a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). The COA process can be lengthy and complicated, so it's important to start the process as soon as possible. You will also need to make sure that you have all of the necessary paperwork in order, including a copy of your pilot's license and medical certificate. Once you have obtained the necessary permits, you will be able to start marketing your business and taking customers on tours. It's important to remember that safety is always the number one priority, so make sure that you adhere to all of the FAA's regulations.
Setting up a Business Number or Appointment Setter
When you’re ready to start your Helicopter Tour business, one of the first things you need to do is set up a business phone number or an appointment setter. You can use a service like Google Voice to set up a business phone number for your Helicopter Tour business. Google Voice will give you a free business phone number that you can use to make and receive calls. Once you have a business phone number, you can start taking calls from potential customers. When you get a call, be sure to take down the customer’s name, contact information, and what they need. Once you have this information, you can give the customer a call back to discuss the project in more detail and give them a quote.

Developing a Marketing Strategy

A successful helicopter tour business will require an effective marketing strategy. Keywords such as marketing tactics, marketing channels, and advertising strategy should be used to develop a cohesive plan for reaching potential customers. Research should be conducted to identify the best methods for targeting potential customers, creating successful campaigns, and measuring results. Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy can ensure that your business is seen by the right people in the right places.

Locating and Purchasing a Helicopter

Locating and purchasing a helicopter for a tour business can be a complicated process. Keywords such as helicopter purchase, helicopter leasing, and safety requirements should be used to make sure you are getting the best deal and that the aircraft meets all necessary regulations. Research should be done to compare prices and determine which model is most suitable for your needs while also taking into account maintenance costs and insurance requirements.

Hiring and Training Staff

When starting a tour business, it is important to have qualified personnel with the proper training. Keywords such as pilot recruitment, hiring process, and training standards should be used to ensure that all staff meet the necessary qualifications before they are allowed to fly with passengers. Careful consideration should be given to the selection process and any additional training that may need to be provided.

Finding a Location for Your Business

When selecting a location for your business, it is important to take into account all relevant flight path regulations, airspace restrictions, and heliport regulations. Keywords such as these should be used when researching potential locations. It is also important to consider any noise ordinances or other regulations that may affect the ability of your business to operate in certain areas.

Pre-Flight Checks and Maintenance

Regular pre-flight checks and maintenance are essential for ensuring both customer safety and aircraft performance. Keywords such as maintenance checks, pre-flight inspections, and flight safety protocols should be used when developing an effective pre-flight check routine for all staff members. This routine should include checks of all systems on board the aircraft before each flight in order to identify any potential issues that could affect safety or performance during the flight.

Managing Flight Operations

Managing flight operations effectively is essential for providing customers with a safe and enjoyable experience. Keywords such as flight scheduling, customer service protocols, and risk assessment should be used when developing systems for managing operations. This includes setting up procedures for scheduling flights, handling customer inquiries, responding to any emergencies, and assessing any risks associated with each flight before takeoff.

Financing Options

Securing financing can be essential when starting a tour business. Keywords such as business loans, investment opportunities, and credit lines should be used when researching financing options in order to identify which options are best suited for your needs. It is important to consider all available options when selecting how you will finance your business in order ensure you get the best deal possible.

Building Partnerships and Networking

Building relationships with local businesses, tourism boards, and industry associations can help your tour business succeed by providing access to new customers or resources that may otherwise not have been available. Keywords such as these can help you identify potential partners who may be able to provide assistance or advice on how best to operate your business. Establishing partnerships with other businesses can also provide you with valuable networking opportunities that could lead to additional opportunities in the future.

Establishing Online Presence

In today’s digital world establishing an online presence is essential in order for customers to find your business easily online. Keywords such as SEO optimization, website design, and online marketing should be used when creating an online presence so that search engines are able to rank your website higher than competitors’ websites in search engine results pages (SERPs). Having an optimized website can also help draw more visitors that could potentially become paying customers of your tour business.

Creating a Positive Customer Experience

Providing customers with an exceptional experience is key for gaining positive reviews which will help attract more customers in the future. Keywords such as customer reviews, customer feedback loop, and customer satisfaction surveys should be used in order develop effective strategies for measuring customer satisfaction after each tour experience so that improvements can be made where needed in order ensure customers have an enjoyable experience every time they fly with your business.
Conclusion
You've now learned the basics of starting your own helicopter tour business. All that's left to do is put your plan into action. With hard work and dedication, you can make your business thrive. Thanks for reading and good luck!

Why write a business plan?

A business plan is a critical tool for businesses and startups for a number of reasons:
  • Business Plans can help to articulate and flesh out the business’s goals and objectives. This can be beneficial not only for the business owner, but also for potential investors or partners
  • Business Plans can serve as a roadmap for the business, helping to keep it on track and on target. This is especially important for businesses that are growing and evolving, as it can be easy to get sidetracked without a clear plan in place.
  • Business plans can be a valuable tool for communicating the business’s vision to employees, customers, and other key stakeholders.
  • Business plans are one of the most affordable and straightforward ways of ensuring your business is successful.
  • Business plans allow you to understand your competition better to critically analyze your unique business proposition and differentiate yourself from the market.
  • Business Plans allow you to better understand your customer. Conducting a customer analysis is essential to create better products and services and market more effectively.
  • Business Plans allow you to determine the financial needs of the business leading to a better understanding of how much capital is needed to start the business and how much fundraising is needed.
  • Business Plans allow you to put your business model in words and analyze it further to improve revenues or fill the holes in your strategy.
  • Business plans allow you to attract investors and partners into the business as they can read an explanation about the business.
  • Business plans allow you to position your brand by understanding your company’s role in the marketplace.
  • Business Plans allow you to uncover new opportunities by undergoing the process of brainstorming while drafting your business plan which allows you to see your business in a new light. This allows you to come up with new ideas for products/services, business and marketing strategies.
  • Business Plans allow you to access the growth and success of your business by comparing actual operational results versus the forecasts and assumptions in your business plan. This allows you to update your business plan to a business growth plan and ensure the long-term success and survival of your business.

Business Plan Content

 

Many people struggle with drafting a business plan and it is necessary to ensure all important sections are present in a business plan:
  1. Executive Summary
  2. Company Overview
  3. Industry Analysis
  4. Consumer Analysis
  5. Competitor Analysis & Advantages
  6. Marketing Strategies & Plan
  7. Plan of Action
  8. Management Team

The financial forecast template is an extensive Microsoft Excel sheet with Sheets on Required Start-up Capital, Salary & Wage Plans, 5-year Income Statement, 5-year Cash-Flow Statement, 5-Year Balance Sheet, 5-Year Financial Highlights and other accounting statements that would cost in excess of £1000 if obtained by an accountant.

The financial forecast has been excluded from the business plan template. If you’d like to receive the financial forecast template for your start-up, please contact us at info@avvale.co.uk . Our consultants will be happy to discuss your business plan and provide you with the financial forecast template to accompany your business plan.

Instructions for the Business Plan Template

To complete your perfect Helicopter Tour business plan, fill out the form below and download our Helicopter Tour business plan template. The template is a word document that can be edited to include information about your Helicopter Tour business. The document contains instructions to complete the business plan and will go over all sections of the plan. Instructions are given in the document in red font and some tips are also included in blue font. The free template includes all sections excluding the financial forecast. If you need any additional help with drafting your business plan from our business plan template, please set up a complimentary 30-minute consultation with one of our consultants.

Ongoing Business Planning

 

With the growth of your business, your initial goals and plan is bound to change. To ensure the continued growth and success of your business, it is necessary to periodically update your business plan. Your business plan will convert to a business growth plan with versions that are updated every quarter/year. Avvale Consulting recommends that you update your business plan every few months and practice this as a process. Your business is also more likely to grow if you access your performance regularly against your business plans and reassess targets for business growth plans.

 

Want a Bespoke Business Plan for your Helicopter Tour Business?

Our Expertise

 

Avvale Consulting has extensive experience working with companies in many sectors including the Helicopter Tour industry. You can avail a free 30-minute business consultation to ask any questions you have about starting your Helicopter Tour business. We would also be happy to create a bespoke Helicopter Tour business plan for your Helicopter Tour business including a 5-year financial forecast to ensure the success of your Helicopter Tour business and raise capital from investors to start your Helicopter Tour business. This will include high-value consulting hours with our consultants and multiple value-added products such as investor lists and Angel Investor introductions.

 

About Us

 

Avvale Consulting is a leading startup business consulting firm based in London, United Kingdom. Our consultants have years of experience working with startups and have worked with over 300 startups from all around the world. Our team has thousands of business plans, pitch decks and other investment documents for startups leading to over $100 Million raised from various sources. Our business plan templates are the combination of years of startup fundraising and operational experience and can be easily completed by a business owner regardless of their business stage or expertise. So, whether you are a budding entrepreneur or a veteran businessman, download our business plan template and get started on your business growth journey today.