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Combo Deals -- Do they work?
Opinions, please!
(No one on Usenet has any of *those*, right? :-) We're considering putting together a combo deal with a couple of other local airport businesses, along the following lines: 1. Come to Iowa City and stay the weekend in one of our aviation themed jacuzzi suites... 2. While you're here do your BFR with _________, a local CFII... 3. While you're here, have your aircraft annualed by ___________, a local shop with 40 years experience... 4. Any other suggestions? Tickets to a football game? Dinner at the Old Capitol Brew Works? Of course the package price would be very attractive -- much less than normal. I've seen these kinds of things for "Overnight IFR Training" and "Weekend Ground Schools" -- but do they work? Anyone ever done anything like this before? Would you feel comfortable having a strange shop annual your plane? (Or is that actually a selling point, having "new eyes" check things over?) I've talked to a couple of CFIs, and my favorite shop, and they're interested in trying it -- but I don't want to waste their money if the consensus here is that it's a dumb idea... Thanks! -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#2
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On Sun, 25 Sep 2005 13:03:27 GMT, Jay Honeck wrote:
We're considering putting together a combo deal with a couple of other local airport businesses, along the following lines: 1. Come to Iowa City and stay the weekend in one of our aviation themed jacuzzi suites... 2. While you're here do your BFR with _________, a local CFII... 3. While you're here, have your aircraft annualed by ___________, a local shop with 40 years experience... 4. Any other suggestions? Tickets to a football game? Dinner at the Old Capitol Brew Works? it seems that you have great rooms; how about some ... uuhmm ... 'other' amenities? Of course the package price would be very attractive -- much less than normal. I am no friend of combos. but this is only me. I shop around and pick what suits me best. But there might be a chance to bundle up. there might be no reason for you to combo with football tickets, because you're booked out anyway. You need to find combos that fills your rooms during off season. I've talked to a couple of CFIs, and my favorite shop, and they're interested in trying it -- but I don't want to waste their money if the consensus here is that it's a dumb idea... Maybe something romantic or so. Theater/concert/... tickets, a dinner, a suite and a limo. Thanks! #m -- Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010920-8.html |
#3
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Jay Honeck wrote:
Opinions, please! All of your ideas sound good except the annual inspection. I, for one, would never do that if I felt there was any chance that the IA might find something that would keep the plane in the shop and extend my visit. The single exception to that would be if the shop had a reputation for special experience with my brand of aircraft; for example, I once considered flying the Maule down to Moultrie and having the annual done by Maule Flight. On the other hand, all it would cost you to try it is a bit of advertising expense, right? As far as a training package goes, there are two types that might be big winners. One would be a basic package slanted towards overseas customers like some of the Florida schools do. I don't know how practical that would be for you, but the way the Florida schools do it, someone from, say, Britain comes over, stays a month or two, and goes back home with a fresh PPC. IIUC, at least one of those schools can provide an international or British license, rather than just an FAA certificate. The other would be the sort of cram course which you describe. At one time, I would've been very interested in a package that could've gotten me past the IFR written in a long weekend. Doing it away from home would have been attractive, since my employer at the time would call you up and keep you working if you stayed at home. George Patterson Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a person to use the Internet and he won't bother you for weeks. |
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"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:zexZe.366651$_o.277188@attbi_s71... Opinions, please! (No one on Usenet has any of *those*, right? :-) We're considering putting together a combo deal with a couple of other local airport businesses, along the following lines: The combo deals you listed sound good. How about putting ads in the Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities, etc., newspapers with reduced room rates if an intro flight is taken? Guests can take an intro flight either at IOW or bring a coupon saying they took one recently someplace for the discount. Say if a room is $75/night without a intro flight or $65 w/intro flight included, I would take the intro flight just for the discount. It seems like most places I've seen the 'Learn to fly' signs are at airports, which isn't seen much by the general public. As far as getting current pilots into your place, how about advertising in IA Wings, Midwest Flyer, etc? Have you tried contacting the Des Moines FSDO, FOD FSS, Collins, etc., to see if they would be willing to give a seminar or something at your place during a non-football weekend? -Greg B. |
#5
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"Jay Honeck" wrote in message news:zexZe.366651$_o.277188@attbi_s71... Opinions, please! 1) I'd be hesitant to take my plane to somewhere far, far away for annual. Let's say there is something that renders the aircraft unflyable, and it can't be fixed for a couple of weeks. This means I have to find transportation home and transportation back to Iowa City to get the airplane when it is repaired. Beyond that, I really, really want to eyeball any problems identified by the IA. Also, I want to have enough face to face time with the IA to make sure he's doing an annual, not restoring my airplane to like new condition. 2) Find someone with a taildragger. Create a "taildragger pilot in a weekend" package. Tailwheel instruction is becoming very hard to find (at least in North Georgia) these days. Especially if you don't want to pay $175/hr. 3) I'm not a big fan of combo deals. Usually, whoever puts 'em together scrimps in an area where I'd spend, and spends in an area where I'd scrimp. I tend to do better when I put together the whole enchilada. KB |
#6
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On Sun, 25 Sep 2005 13:03:27 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote: Opinions, please! (No one on Usenet has any of *those*, right? :-) We're considering putting together a combo deal with a couple of other local airport businesses, along the following lines: snip 3. While you're here, have your aircraft annualed by ___________, a local shop with 40 years experience... Would you feel comfortable having a strange shop annual your plane? (Or is that actually a selling point, having "new eyes" check things over?) snip A combo deal might be a good idea, but not on an open-ended (schedule) item like an annual inspection. What if damage requiring extensive repair (ie corrosion or engine work) is found? Also, I would not let a strange shop annual my plane. I am very comfortable with the work my shop does and would not want to mess with that. |
#7
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George's idea of offering to non-US pilots is very attractive. I'd
also recommend it as a stop-over for people doing those "see the USA" type trips. Iowa City (and Iowa in general) is a nice, middle-of-the- country stopping place. As for the annual - sorry, not me. I must agree with (George?, other?) not wanting to be grounded for some period of time NOT AT HOME due to airworthiness issues. But I do love the BFR concept! |
#8
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How about aircraft care items that are more basic. Oil change, or get your
plane detailed and waxed while you relax? Little stuff, like tire pressure, clean the glass, etc. That way it's way more likely to be ready when you are ready to go. "Nathan Young" wrote in message ... On Sun, 25 Sep 2005 13:03:27 GMT, "Jay Honeck" wrote: Opinions, please! A combo deal might be a good idea, but not on an open-ended (schedule) item like an annual inspection. What if damage requiring extensive repair (ie corrosion or engine work) is found? Also, I would not let a strange shop annual my plane. I am very comfortable with the work my shop does and would not want to mess with that. |
#9
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On Sun, 25 Sep 2005 14:44:42 GMT, George Patterson wrote:
I don't know how practical that would be for you, but the way the Florida schools do it, someone from, say, Britain comes over, stays a month or two, and goes back home with a fresh PPC. IIUC, at least one of those schools can provide an international or British license, rather than just an FAA certificate. training or courses in the US for a foreigner aren't that sought after any longer; the hassle with US bureaucracy might beor is too high [1]. Hour building is a different story, but therefore I need more than an airport (scenery) and more than one motel. [1] small examples: first they haven't allowed to send the passport via registered mail, only regular mail was accepted (idiots!); then you have to show up in person for their visa. la-la-la ... other countries have airports, too (Hello Canada, SA, OZ, ...!). #m -- Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010920-8.html |
#10
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On 25 Sep 2005 16:08:58 GMT, Blanche wrote:
George's idea of offering to non-US pilots is very attractive. ever asked foreign pilots about this? how many renters are on site? if you don't have at least 3 renters within a 2 or 3 hours driving distance (or even less), you lost. Do you have a reasonable connection to one of the big hubs to bring in the foreigners? Atlanta? Chicago? Detroit? NY? (to name a few). what are good arguments for this area? weather? area (restriced airspace)? scenery? I'd also recommend it as a stop-over for people doing those "see the USA" type trips. Iowa City (and Iowa in general) is a nice, middle-of-the- country stopping place. Not knowing anything about Jay and his hotel it would never come to my mind to point the nose of an aircraft to Iowa City. Knowing Jay I really must have some spare time to do it. #m -- Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010920-8.html |
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