New Pilot Store - need ideas

I will be opening a pilot shop on the main ramp of a busy non-airline
airport in the NE. I will post the location and name when the lease
and details are finalized, and an opening date is set.

It will be adjacent a major FBO with significant transient traffic,
and is near 4 flight schools on the field. So, there will be a fair
share of pilots of all types - jet, twin, single engine, etc.
Students, professionals and recreational. At least that's the market
that is out there.

Meanwhile, I'm soliciting input from fellow pilots to see what kinds
of things you'd prefer to see in a pilot shop that you would be likely
to buy on impulse, or even make a special trip to pick it up vs.
ordering on line.

I've got the basics covered like:

ASA/Jepp training aids, books, etc.
Charts (sectionals, terminal, plates, etc.)
software
headsets (DC and ASA)
general supplies (plotters, kneeboards, foggles, etc.)
general aviation books and magazines
limited clothing (what, if any, would be desireable?)
limited gifts (models, trinkets)
portable transceivers
sunglasses
packaged snacks and bevereges


I wanted to offer Garmin handhelds, but you need to be both a retailer
AND authrorized service/repair shop to be a reseller of their stuff.
So, that's a shame. I envisioned a nice display case of handhelds.
But even so, would someone actually buy one? It's not an impulsive
purchase. Something they research and then usually order. For this
reason, the electronics and expensive items will be limited. The
margins are slim, and I'm not sure they would sell too much. I could
get a few and see how they do.

So, what else am I leaving out?

Thanks for any input.

Hi Dave,

I don't know the first thing about retail so please take my
suggestions as just that. Suggestions…

In MY OPINION:

I wouldn't stop in the shop you described as you really have nothing
to tweak my interest. I can get everything you listed at just about
every other pilot shop in North America.

Now if you had a variety of GPS like say the Lowrance and Garmin Line
(I know you already commented on this) or say the Delphi XM SkyFi
Music Unit or maybe the "The Muse" by PS Engineering. Then we would
have a place worth stopping at!

What about carrying a line of the new portable TCAS Units?

If you carried stuff that makes my cockpit a safer and more enjoyable
place to be, I would not only stop at your shop, I would go out of my
way to get there!

Best of luck to you,

Crispy

I would add earplugs to the list. Unlike Crispy, I'm a pilot shop junkie, so
I *would* stop and browse, possibly for a long time. Usually I buy things
like books, hats, magazine, and such. Oh yeah, and license plates ("My other
car is an airplane..."). Rarely expensive stuff. Not sure I've seen a pilot
shop that carries snacks and drinks, but I suspect lots of people would buy
those.

JonS



"Dave" wrote in message
om...
I will be opening a pilot shop on the main ramp of a busy non-airline
airport in the NE. I will post the location and name when the lease
and details are finalized, and an opening date is set.

It will be adjacent a major FBO with significant transient traffic,
and is near 4 flight schools on the field. So, there will be a fair
share of pilots of all types - jet, twin, single engine, etc.
Students, professionals and recreational. At least that's the market
that is out there.

Meanwhile, I'm soliciting input from fellow pilots to see what kinds
of things you'd prefer to see in a pilot shop that you would be likely
to buy on impulse, or even make a special trip to pick it up vs.
ordering on line.

I've got the basics covered like:

ASA/Jepp training aids, books, etc.
Charts (sectionals, terminal, plates, etc.)
software
headsets (DC and ASA)
general supplies (plotters, kneeboards, foggles, etc.)
general aviation books and magazines
limited clothing (what, if any, would be desireable?)
limited gifts (models, trinkets)
portable transceivers
sunglasses
packaged snacks and bevereges


I wanted to offer Garmin handhelds, but you need to be both a retailer
AND authrorized service/repair shop to be a reseller of their stuff.
So, that's a shame. I envisioned a nice display case of handhelds.
But even so, would someone actually buy one? It's not an impulsive
purchase. Something they research and then usually order. For this
reason, the electronics and expensive items will be limited. The
margins are slim, and I'm not sure they would sell too much. I could
get a few and see how they do.

So, what else am I leaving out?

Thanks for any input.

In a previous article, "Jon S" said:
I would add earplugs to the list. Unlike Crispy, I'm a pilot shop junkie, so
I *would* stop and browse, possibly for a long time. Usually I buy things
like books, hats, magazine, and such. Oh yeah, and license plates ("My other
car is an airplane..."). Rarely expensive stuff. Not sure I've seen a pilot
shop that carries snacks and drinks, but I suspect lots of people would buy
those.

One thing I've never seen in an airport pilot shop that I think would be a
cool idea: postcards (especially if they show the airport) and stamps.
Since I don't have custody of my kids, when I'm flying somewhere (other
than when I fly up to visit them) I like to send them a postcard from the
destination. Usually I end up borrowing the FBO's crew car to go into
town to buy a postcard.


--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
The software said it requires Windows 95 or better, so I installed Linux

For what it's worth ...

I'm always in the market for a great deal, and I'd gladly buy used,
non-critical gear to save a few dollars. You may want to contact local pawn
shops and take their aviation gear (scanners, etc) on consignment. It would
attract me, and possibly a few other 'bargain' hunters. The used or
consignment rack is where I immediately go to in a camera shop.

Just a thought ...

Marty from Sunny South Florida


"Paul Tomblin" wrote in message
...
In a previous article, "Jon S" said:
I would add earplugs to the list. Unlike Crispy, I'm a pilot shop junkie,
so
I *would* stop and browse, possibly for a long time. Usually I buy things
like books, hats, magazine, and such. Oh yeah, and license plates ("My
other
car is an airplane..."). Rarely expensive stuff. Not sure I've seen a
pilot
shop that carries snacks and drinks, but I suspect lots of people would
buy
those.

One thing I've never seen in an airport pilot shop that I think would be a
cool idea: postcards (especially if they show the airport) and stamps.
Since I don't have custody of my kids, when I'm flying somewhere (other
than when I fly up to visit them) I like to send them a postcard from the
destination. Usually I end up borrowing the FBO's crew car to go into
town to buy a postcard.


--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
The software said it requires Windows 95 or better, so I installed Linux