FSEconomy Users

[Bill Denny]

Hey,

I want to boost traffic in ZLA even more, and my idea on how to do this is to start up and maintain a lucrative FSEconomy network within ZLA. My theory is that we can coax some more GA traffic into the area if we start up a FSE group and network that provides high pilot pay with a wide variety of jobs and aircraft.

I just liquidated my FSE possessions and generated a sum of $1,356,000 for start-up capital. I'm looking for investors for the project who share a desire to bring even more GA traffic into ZLA.

To make this group attractive to FSE pilots, we will require a large and varied fleet with an expansive network of FBOs. $1.3 mil ain't much, so if you'd like to contribute to this project, it would be greatly appreciated.

What we need right now,

~Unused aircraft based in the area or surrounding areas.
~Unused FBOs in the ZLA ARTCC.
~Pilots
~Cash

In the future, once things are getting established, I will require a small staff to monitor fuel and supplies levels are each FBO, monitor airframe hours on the fleet aircraft and take care of any necessary maintenance issues.

Okay,
That's all I have for now,
Take care folks.

~Bill

[David Brewer]

Looking into it. Never had looked into FSE, but it's a cool concept, ties in greatly.
I see how it certainly could bolster GA activity and am willing to put what I can into it.

[Bill Denny]

Sounds good.
Biggest issue is, especially in the ZLA area, if the airport is large enough to have a paved runway, it's already taken. Available strips are pretty much limited to grass fields, so I figured goal one is to get a fleet up and running, work our butts off to earn cash, then try and buy back the larger fields for the assumed ultra high selling prices the owners are bound to suggest.

I still have my 1.3 mil, and am going over available aircraft based on shuttle distances, price, and earning potential. Looks like the first aircraft will be either a PC-12 or a Rockwell Turbo Commander. I also have enough to buy the recently introduced Falcon 7X, but considering the routes to be flown are under 200 nm, money would be thrown out the window. It's a cool thought though


Edit*
I'm going to setup the group tonight, and will post details on how to join it. In the meantime, I'd like suggestions for the ZLA flying group/charter group. I've always had my eye set on SoCal Airways, callsign 'Dodger.' Tribute to the LA Dodgers, any thoughts?

I also ran a small operation in NY called Top Flight, if that sounds good to anyone.

[Bill Denny]

One other item I wanted to bring up, was that I was planning on utilizing the ZLA Pilot Certification program with the group, limiting certain aircraft to pilots depending on what rank they hold within the cert program.

For example, pilot who hold the I-1 certificate are able to fly low performance aircraft (Single engine Cessnas, Pipers, etc...)

Pilots who hold the I-7 certificate are able to fly medium performance aircraft (Multi-Engine pistons, single engine turbines, large piston singles, etc...)

Pilots who graduate the cert program and hold I-11's are able to fly the large, complex aircraft in the fleet (Citations, Falcons, ATR's, Connie's, etc...)

Any thoughts on this?

[Wayne Conrad]

I don't know much about FSEconomy.

Would this be something I can do when I feel like, and blow off otherwise? If I have to do it, it's too much like a job. But if I can do it whenever the mood strikes me, it might be fun.

Does it work with x-plane?

[Bill Denny]

Wayne,

FSEconomy has an X-Plane version of the application.

You should really look into FSE though, it really adds an addictive spin to flying GA aircraft, something I know you like to do.

This would be nothing like a job, you fly when you like, wherever you like. I will be getting a fleet up and running, and you may choose from that fleet (you can choose aircraft not in our fleet of course, but it will be much cheaper since there will be no rent charges,) fill your plane up with pax and cargo, fly a leg, and make some cash. What you do with the cash is up to you, either deposit it in your own bank account and do with it what you will, or put it back into the group to help it grow.


Update,
I'm pretty sure the first aircraft I will buy for the group is a Cessna 206. FSE stats on the plane say it will hold 5 people, cruises at 150kts, and burn 16 gallons of AVGas an hour. This looks like a very good breadwinner for short hauls. Making a few runs in it to test its profitability.

I'm also going to buy a gaggle of J-3's, Aeroncas, and Luscombes, because they're cheap to buy and fun to fly, albeit not exactly money makers.

[Bill Denny]

Bought a Cessna 206, filled it up with full fuel and 5 passengers. The flight from KNKX to KLAX took 43 minutes and the pilot, me in this case, but this could be you, brought in $4,145. This isn't bad at all. I deposited my earnings into SoCal Airways.

If you want to join, create an account on http://www.fseconomy.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; if you haven't done so already, go to the groups pages and join SoCal Airways. I will then add your name to the correct fleet groups as dictated by your rank on the pilot cert program. Just shoot me an email with your name, and I will see to it myself your updated.

I'm adding the Cessna 206 to the low performance aircraft fleet, (personally I think low performance doesn't suite the 206, but it's a relatively small single engine piston, so that's where I am sticking it for now.)

If you want to fly the 206, you just need to be up to the I-1 in the pilot certs. There are already a LOT of available runs in SoCal, just look around. The main thing is though, when you create a flight, make sure you select in the Fly for Group box, "SoCal Airways." This way our flights our logged and we can see how we're doing. Pilot pay is set at 100%, so don't worry about losing your money, this is just to keep track of how many flights we're making.

That's all for now.

[Bill Denny]

Here's an update guys,
I spent the majority of my cash to have a more well balanced fleet. Citation II, N502SA and Cheyenne I/IA, N408SA. The Citation has been placed in the 'High Performance Fleet' requiring a rating of I11, and the Cheyenne has been placed in the 'Medium Performance Fleet' requiring a rating of at least an I7.

The catch though;
I got these planes at a pretty good deal, the problem is that they both have a pretty good trip ahead of them to get into ZLA airspace. N408SA is currently located at CKE8, and N502SA is at KPVG.

So, today's homework assignment is to get signed up with the group, grab one of the planes, and bring them back to their new home. I recommend KSBA since we do not yet have base of our own, and there is a massive amount of assignments there. I brought N206SA there a little while ago.


That's all I have for now.

[Bill Denny]

I just set up distance bonuses on N408SA and N502SA, if you are unfamiliar with distance bonuses, this is the amount you earn for every 100nm closer you fly the aircraft to it's designated home base. In both cases, KSBA is the home base.

The bonuses are as follows:
N408SA- 1176nm, $600. Earning Potential- $6,600
N502SA- 2107nm, $400. Earning Potential- $8,400


I can't take N502SA home, since I hold an I-9 in the Pilot Certifications, but when I have the time, I will gladly fly a few legs in the Cheyenne.

That's it for now,
Bill.

[David Brewer]

Hey Bill...

Sorry I kinda missed out on the posts over the past couple days.

To touch bases on the points I noted while reading through
- oh, wait, gotta get this flight en-route, first =)

I got an FSE account set up. (Crashin)
Joined SoCal Airways (as I learned about groups, naturally searched through for Southern California related stuff, found it by name before I knew what the name you set up was)
- "Dodgers" like it! but spelling might help recognition

I've been doing a few hops in PC-12 and B1900C, so those would be some plane choices I'd aim toward. Will look into downloading aircraft to help fly the new birds home too.
I'm doubtfully hoping the restrictions are set to the "original" class ratings... I finished them years ago when the first set came out, before the last ones were added on. I'll need to go finish I-8 thru I-11 to qualify, otherwise.



To Wayne: not at all "have to" like a job
It's another facet to add to the hobby... and one that can blend in great with VATSIM already... Now you've got a financial-based add-on to create "work" for yourself... but aren't any flight you make up technically some pilot's "job" ? Your account will only grow as fast as you push it to. You could sign-up, fly one flight, make $1,000 and never do it again, if that was what you wished.


(I may have missed something...)

[Bill Denny]

David,

I am all over the PC-12 idea, I intended on purchasing one for the group initially, but I found better deals in the Cheyenne, Citation and Stationair. It's fuel burn to passenger load to speed makes it the ideal choice for small to medium routes. It's an excellent aircraft that I plan on purchasing for the group as soon as the funds become available.

[Bill Denny]

Hey guys,

I had something brought to my attention and I wanted to let you guys know I'm changing something.

I set up the minimum rating for the low performance fleet group as I-1 because I wanted pilots to be at least competent in VFR flight. I mistook the I-1 to signify the completion of the V-3. V-3 is the final rating for a VFR pilot before continuing on to IFR certifications. That being said, I'm changing the required rating to fly low performance aircraft to V-3.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.


Thanks,
Bill

[Shawn Goldsworthy]

I had a bit of fun with the Stationair last night. I flew 4 legs (KSBA-KOXR-KSBA-KBUR-KWJF) and earned $2500+ in 2 hours of flying. I'm searching around for a decent Citation II now an I might drag it back to KSBA over the weekend. I wish I knew last night that I could combine assignments and make the flights more profitable, oh well, I know now.

Bill I have a quick question regarding getting the planes to KSBA. The only route available for the Cheyenne is a short hop 100 NM east of where it currently sits. Can I create assignments to start flying it in the right direction, do I have to wait for them to come up or can I just depart Unity and FSE calculates where I land it?

[Shawn Goldsworthy]

Also I just noticed that the Cheyenne is VFR only. Is it possible to upgrade this aircraft to IFR certification or is it stuck VFR only.

[Bill Denny]

Shawn,

You have a couple options. You can either take off where the Citation is now and head to KSBA with no assignments, just make sure to set it as a "SoCal Airways" flight. This will be of no cost to you, as it's a group plane, all fuel costs and the various charges will be billed to SoCal Airways. You could also take your time bringing the plane back by going in the general direction of KSBA, but picking up and dropping off assignments along the way. This will generate even more income on top of the distance bonus set on the plane.

I noticed it's VFR only, there are no maintenance facilities where it's sitting now, but if you take a short 32nm hop to CYQW, I'll at the very least get IFR equipment installed, and depending on the cost, install an autopilot. I'd love to fly it around a bit, but I'm working at the moment and won't be available until later tonight, and I was hoping to get a bit of controlling in.

Also Shawn, I noticed you were carrying only one passenger per flight too, I was thinking about sending you a PM letting you know it works better if you got more butts in your seats

All right guys, I need to actually get some work done.
See ya