New Pilot Shop - need ideas

"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)

CFLav8r wrote:

I would definitely hire an all female staff and uniform them in a
Wing House / Hooters style outfits.
This would keep me coming back daily....

Uh-huh. And the first time my wife went flying with me and got an eyeful of that,
the plane would get moved to Allaire.

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

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

Always glad to see a new ASA dealer.

Bob Gardner

"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.

You may want to carry fun DVDs that may be interesting to pilots. We have just
produced A FINE WEEK OF SOARING, an exciting look at a soaring contest. Many
GA pilots have loved it!

check out: www.geovisiononline.com/fineweek

Good luck!

(Dave) wrote in message . com...

So, what else am I leaving out?


Batteries of all shapes and sizes.

John Galban=====N4BQ (PA28-180)

GATS JARs.. Given the new laws coming out relative to fuel dumping, The GATs
jar is the best thing in
fuel testing.. No waste!

BILL

"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.

Lunch! Fly-in picnics!

Dave wrote:

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.


Best regards,

Jer/ "Flight instruction and mountain flying are my vocation!" Eberhard

--
Jer/ (Slash) Eberhard, Mountain Flying Aviation, LTD, Ft Collins, CO
CELL 970 231-6325 EMAIL jer'at'frii.com WEB http://users.frii.com/jer/
C-206 N9513G, CFII Airplane&Glider, FAA-DEN Aviation Safety Counselor
CAP-CO Mission&Aircraft CheckPilot, BM218 HAM N0FZD, 197 Young Eagles!

(Dave) wrote in message . com...
I will be opening a pilot shop on the main ramp of a busy non-airline
Flashlights. Micro LED lights. Disposble cameras (for those first
solos, first flights etc.)
Every so often, have a swap meet where people can unload their used
gears/books (offer free coffe/cookies). This will help to bring
traffic to your pilot shop and entice people to buy new stuffs.