New Pilot Shop - 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.

How about some textbook or supplies oriented toward maintenance personnel?
Im sure the mechanics at the 4 surrounding flight centred would appreciate
some near by reference material.
"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.

Only advice I have is for God's sake, don't offer free beer to anyone!
You'll never hear the end of it!

Good luck on your biz.

Jeff


"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.

Make it a nice atmosphere. Sell food, drinks, and have complimentary
coffee, water, etc, snacks. If you can bring them in for other stuff then
they may buy more from you.

I buy almost all of my equipment online, so I am not sure what kind of sales
you will make if you are not also an FBO.

Make a nice comfy atmosphere where people will want to hang out and you may
stay in business. If you just offer the same fare as the FBOs then you are
going to have a rough time...

just my inexperienced opinion.


"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.

Only advice I have is for God's sake, don't offer free beer to anyone!
You'll never hear the end of it!


Reminds me of a restaurant in (or near) Novato, CA. It was located at the
airport (I forget which one) and had a toy train to take you from the ramp to
the restaurant. It was obviously intended for pilots and such.

Every meal came with a free glass of wine. You could not change it out for
orange juice or soda or tea or something. Wine or nothing.

And the train didn't work either the day I went.

Jose

--
(for Email, make the obvious changes in my address)

Dave wrote:

So, what else am I leaving out?

I would keep a few bottles of the various grades of oil handy. It's something
you won't sell often, but you'll make a real friend if someone needs a quart
when the maintenance hangar is closed.

George Patterson
Battle, n; A method of untying with the teeth a political knot that would
not yield to the tongue.

"Richard Hertz" wrote in message

I buy almost all of my equipment online, so I am not sure what kind of sales
you will make if you are not also an FBO.

....next time you are planning to buy something online, also check what
your local pilot shoppe might have and their prices you might be
surprised.

(wild/possibly silly idea warning)
....I have no idea whether this would be feasible or not, but one
thing I'd love to see would be reasonably priced laminated charts
(I used to be able to buy laminated aviation charts in Europe
but didn't find it here); how expensive would it be to have a
set up allowing you to laminate charts? would people be interested?

--Sylvain

"Dave" wrote in message...
I will be opening a pilot shop on the main ramp of a busy non-airline
airport in the NE.
So, what else am I leaving out?

I would definitely hire an all female staff and uniform them in a
Wing House / Hooters style outfits.
That's silk shorts and cutoff t-shirt with a pair of your
company logo wings.
This would keep me coming back daily....

For better visual reference see Wing House website at:
www.winghouse.com

David (KORL)

headsets (DC and ASA)

You will be more successful if you find a niche. Offer headseat brands that
no one else in the area has on hand - Denali, Sennheiser, Pilot Avionics,
Lightspeed, etc. There are wonderful headsets out there other than DC's,
and they usually cost less and fit better (or, at the very least different.)
I think it's important to really shop around for a headset that feels good,
but most people have only a limited selection of headsets that are available
to try on from their FBO. So, carry the brands that your competition
doesn't and you won't have to compete strictly on price and provide a good
service for your customers.

My $0.02

-Aviv

but one
thing I'd love to see would be reasonably priced laminated charts
(I used to be able to buy laminated aviation charts in Europe


Why? For the price, just buy new paper charts. They go out of date soon
enough anyway.

Jose

--
(for Email, make the obvious changes in my address)