Guides
Guides for aircraft owners, flight schools and FBOs
Plain-language answers on costs, regulations and running an operation, written by the SkyRes team.
Aircraft owners
Airworthiness Directives (ADs): how owners track compliance
What an Airworthiness Directive is, one-time vs recurring ADs, what your maintenance records must show under 14 CFR 91.417, and how to keep AD compliance under control.
Annual vs 100-hour inspection: what's the difference and which do you need?
The difference between an annual and a 100-hour inspection under 14 CFR 91.409, who can sign each off, when a 100-hour is required, and the 10-hour overfly rule.
Hobbs vs tach time: what's the difference and which should you bill?
How a Hobbs meter and a tachometer measure time differently, why tach time is usually lower, and which one rentals, partnerships and maintenance intervals use.
How much does it cost to own a plane? A line-by-line breakdown
What owning a small airplane really costs per year and per flight hour: hangar, insurance, annual, fuel, maintenance and engine reserve, with a worked example.
How to set up an aircraft partnership (and what the agreement should say)
How aircraft co-ownership works, how partners split fixed and hourly costs, and the clauses every aircraft partnership agreement needs before anyone signs.
Flight schools
Flight school billing models: prepaid, block time and pay-as-you-go
How flight schools charge students: prepaid accounts, block time discounts, pay after each flight and memberships, plus wet vs dry rates and cancellation fees.
How to start a flight school: a practical checklist
What it takes to start a flight school: business model, aircraft and leasebacks, instructors, insurance, airport rules, TSA requirements and pricing.
Part 61 vs Part 141 flight training: what's the difference?
How Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools differ in minimum hours, structure, FAA oversight and cost, and which suits students and new schools.