How to Start a Helicopter Tour Business

A helicopter tour business takes customers on short flights so they can view their city from a bird’s-eye view. This is typically marketed as a more expensive service for a more adventurous clientele, and it adds a touch of excitement into any community.

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Start a helicopter tour business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Helicopter Tour Business
  2. Form your Helicopter Tour Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Helicopter Tour Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Helicopter Tour Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Helicopter Tour Business
  7. Get Helicopter Tour Business Insurance
  8. Define your Helicopter Tour Business Brand
  9. Create your Helicopter Tour Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your helicopter tour business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Helicopter Tour Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a helicopter tour business?

Unlike some small businesses, the costs of opening a helicopter tour business are significant. Depending on the size, make, and model, the helicopter alone will cost between $150,000 and $300,000. If you need a private pilot’s license, it will cost between $10,000 and $15,000, and if you need to obtain your commercial pilot’s license, this will take between $18,000 and $20,000. You must also lease a hangar for your helicopter, and the monthly cost of this will vary, though it is typically between $1,500 and $3,000 a month. You must also advertise your business, which is worth spending $3,000 on to start out. In addition, you’ll need enough helicopter fuel to get started, which is about $1,000. Finally, you’ll require insurance, and while the costs may vary, it is typically between $11,000 and $15,000 a year.

What are the ongoing expenses for a helicopter tour business?

Your primary ongoing expenses will be the hangar for your helicopter (leases are typically between $1,500 to $3,000 a month), gasoline (typically less than $1,000 a month), and advertising (your exact balance of cheap social media advertising and more expensive traditional advertising is up to you, but this is typically less than $500 a month).

Who is the target market?

While many people enjoy a good helicopter ride, your target demographic is men between the ages of 35 and 45. They are likely to have enough disposable income for a relatively extravagant experience while still being young enough to seek out thrilling experiences.

How does a helicopter tour business make money?

A helicopter tour business typically charges a fixed price for short helicopter flights around a city.

How much can you charge customers?

How much you charge is up to you, though the amount is typically determined by the distance you transport customers. Typical flights cost between $20 to $355 and range from a simple eight-mile tour to a thirty-mile tour that features special city landmarks and other unique attractions.

How much profit can a helicopter tour business make?

The amount of profit you can make is determined by how many customers you serve per year and which tour packages they buy from you. If you provide tours to eight people a day for five days a week at an average cost of $40 per person, you will make over $83,000 per year before expenses. It is possible to make more by serving more customers, selling pricier packages, or both.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Consider charging more for extra features. For instance, people may pay more to be flown over a scenic waterfall or an iconic amusement park. And you should offer seasonal specials for everything from Valentine’s Day to Halloween. Finally, don’t be afraid to raise your rates after you’ve established your business, especially if you have little to no competition in your area.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your helicopter tour business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your helicopter tour business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

Federal Business Licensing Requirements

There are a number of federal regulations and licensure requirements that your business must abide by. The following links give overviews and additional information on such requirements. 

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a helicopter tour business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a helicopter tour business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your helicopter tour business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

Liability Waivers

To avoid liability and potential lawsuits, helicopter tour businesses should have their clients sign waivers.

An example of an appropriate waiver can be found here.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Helicopter Tour Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Helicopter Tour Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a helicopter tour business

Within your budget, it is worth advertising via “traditional” means such as radio, newspaper, and television. Social media is also an ideal venue for you to advertise for little cost in a way that highlights the visual appeal of your tours. If you have the budget and wish to make the investment, you may consider getting a video camera that can shoot 360 degree videos. This allows you to share special videos that provide a taste of how special these experiences are, and potential customers can get this preview using their smartphones.

How to keep customers coming back

In addition to the advertising methods mentioned above, you should offer special rates for groups, which incentivizes customers to bring their friends and family. Consider featuring customers in your advertisements and social media to help them feel special so they want to return. Finally, focus on anything that can contribute to this unique experience, such as playing thrilling music for customers while you fly.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is ideal for those already licensed to fly a helicopter, as there is a significant investment of time and money required to acquire a license. As such, it typically makes a good business for retired military personnel. Aside from a knowledge of helicopters, one of the best qualities for this business is to be a “people person,” as you must be able to charm customers before, during, and after flight.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a helicopter tour business?

For a helicopter tour business, your days are straightforward. Most of them will ideally be spent flying customers around predetermined routes within your city. Otherwise, your time is chiefly taken up with helicopter maintenance, advertising, accounting, and general customer service.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful helicopter tour business?

As mentioned before, being licensed to fly a helicopter is a must for this business. Therefore, it’s best to obtain this license before seeking to open the business. Any prior experience professionally flying helicopters is a great way to get your business started. Additionally, previous experience in the tourism and hospitality industry can help you market yourself to key demographics.

What is the growth potential for a helicopter tour business?

The growth potential of this business is modest, as the Technavio forecast of the global helicopter tourism market predicts the industry to grow by 3.45% between 2017 and 2021.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a helicopter tour business?

One tip is to fly as much and as often as you can on your own before doing it commercially. Carefully consult aerial maps of your city and determine the best paths to take customers on. Depending on your city, you should try to advertise via local hotels to gather the interest of tourists who may be visiting.

How and when to build a team

While it’s not impossible to start this business completely on your own, you will likely want a small team to help serve customers and contribute to the maintenance of your helicopter.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading