Corporate Aviation Management

Preface

Preface GENERAL AVIATION PLAYS A VERY IMPORTANT role in the country's aviation system , with corporate aviation being a critical adjunct with approximately 27 percent ofgeneral aviation. Corporate aviation not only provides transportation but also supports related manufacturers and fixed base operators and contributes to an influx of technical personnel into the aviation system. Corporate aviation contributes to tax revenues and employment in city, state, and federal governments. The need for a source of corporate aviation management information brought about the preparation of this book. Corporate Aviation Management is intended as a manual on how to run a successful corporate flight operation and is derived from my aviation experience, my consulting practice, as well as my teaching ofmanagement and the contributions ofmany in the field. When I was interviewed and hired for my first position in corporate aviation I asked the president ofthe company ifthere were any special instructions he had as to how I should run the flight operation, and his retort was, "I want you to run the operation in a business manner." From that day on in 1947 I have been searching for a book that would cover the managerial aspects of this entire field. Numerous pamphlets, articles, and the NBAA Procedures Manual do exist and are very useful. However, none of these covers principles ofcorporate aviation management or the overall managerial functions involving planning, organizing, controlling, and implementing. The need for such a book specifically written for corporate aviation management was again evident in the seventies when many businesses were disposing oftheir aircraft and we were asked to manage better, cut costs, or else. It was never my intention to become an author-I was perfectly happy xvi Preface running the operation and flying thirty hours a month. But as the years went by I realized that a lot of basic management experience, some of which I had put into magazine articles, ought be shared and made available to my fellow pilot managers. I recognize the impossibility ofwriting to suit all pilot managers whose ability and experience vary over a large range. I also recognize that I had to editorialize in order to tell my story as I saw it. I am bound to talk down to some and up to others; that had to be done to develop a full understanding. This book is intended to be a practical guide for the executive in charge of the aviation department, the aviation department manager or chief pilot, aspirants to aviation management positions, and teachers and students of aviation management. The book is composed offour parts. PART ONE: ROLE, DEVELOPMENT, AND FUNCTION OF CORPORATE AVIATION MANAGEMENT The first chapter provides a description ofcorporate aviation from the early thirties to the present time. It also covers the role ofcorporate aviation in the national transportation system. Chapter 2 outlines the evolution of corporate aviation and delves into aircraft management requirements as corporate aviation grew and aircraft became more sophisticated. Chapter 3 examines how corporate aviation managers deal with human and technical relationships and how they can manage them for desired results. The principles to follow in corporate aviation management to produce an efficient corporate transportation service are discussed in chapter 4. A general discussion ofhow the aviation department fits into the overall corporate structure is discussed in chapter 5. Chapter 6 shows how trade associations are utilized in the management process. PART Two: ECONOMICS Chapter 7 delves into economics and financial determinants in the acquisition ofcompany aircraft and examines cost/benefit factors, tax implications, and methods used to justifY company-operated air transportation. Chapter 8 outlines the various factors to be considered in the selection ofthe proper aircraft to match the transportation needs ofcompany personnel. Preface PART THREE: OPERATIONSTHE SEVEN KEY FACTORS xvii Chapter 9 delves into the seven key [,ctors ofoperations and deals with the first key factor, corporate flight operations management. The primary objective ofcorporate aviation is the transportation ofcompany personnel. Chapter 10 deals with corporate aviation maintenance management, programs , and budgets. Chapter 11 discusses the objectives as they relate to schedule and passenger service. A holistic approach to safety is discussed in chapter 12, which covers corporate aviation safety. A precautionary approach to security is discussed in chapter 13, which deals with corporate aviation security. Chapter 14 explains the reason for having emergency and pre-accident plans. It outlines reporting procedures and the use of forms provided for that purpose. Chapter 15 explains the...