Seeking an apprentice
Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2013 3:30 pm
Regular participants on this forum will be aware that I've devoted the past four years to developing a modestly successful flight school, specializing in LSA and the Sport Pilot rating. I happen to believe this initiative represents the future of general aviation, and have embraced it quite enthusiastically. Up until now, I've kept the operation small, so I can concentrate on developing new curriculum and assessing its effectiveness.
At age 67, I realize my flying years are mostly behind, not ahead of me. I will eventually want to retire (again, for the fourth time!) but hate to think all this effort was wasted. Rather than simply shut down my school in a few years, I wish I had someone to turn it over to. Someone who shares my vision for a GA renaissance facilitated by the LSA initiative, as well as sharing my teaching style and level of commitment. As every CEO knows, a suitable successor is hard to find, unless you groom and train him or her yourself.
Which brings me to the point of this post. I am ready to interview for an apprentice, ideally a young person who shares my twin passions of teaching and flying, who wants to work with me for a few years learning everything I've picked up in over 50 years of flying and 40 years of teaching, someone who's always wanted to run his or her own flight school, who wants to learn the business end of running a business, and who would like to acquire an established and successful one some day.
I'm not particularly interested in training a bunch of folks who simply want to start their own businesses. I'm specifically looking for an heir, a successor. I seek someone with as much commitment as I have. As such, I will employ some rather unconventional techniques in screening candidates, as I would rather close my school outright than have it morph away from my personal educational vision and business model. I'll admit I'm an idealist. So would I expect my successor to be.
Anyone interested, please email or PM me. Feel free to share this post with other potential candidates. This will not happen quickly, but like estate planning, should not be put off indefinitely.
At age 67, I realize my flying years are mostly behind, not ahead of me. I will eventually want to retire (again, for the fourth time!) but hate to think all this effort was wasted. Rather than simply shut down my school in a few years, I wish I had someone to turn it over to. Someone who shares my vision for a GA renaissance facilitated by the LSA initiative, as well as sharing my teaching style and level of commitment. As every CEO knows, a suitable successor is hard to find, unless you groom and train him or her yourself.
Which brings me to the point of this post. I am ready to interview for an apprentice, ideally a young person who shares my twin passions of teaching and flying, who wants to work with me for a few years learning everything I've picked up in over 50 years of flying and 40 years of teaching, someone who's always wanted to run his or her own flight school, who wants to learn the business end of running a business, and who would like to acquire an established and successful one some day.
I'm not particularly interested in training a bunch of folks who simply want to start their own businesses. I'm specifically looking for an heir, a successor. I seek someone with as much commitment as I have. As such, I will employ some rather unconventional techniques in screening candidates, as I would rather close my school outright than have it morph away from my personal educational vision and business model. I'll admit I'm an idealist. So would I expect my successor to be.
Anyone interested, please email or PM me. Feel free to share this post with other potential candidates. This will not happen quickly, but like estate planning, should not be put off indefinitely.
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