Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use airline consulting to handle your business needs

Use airline business consultants to refine your business practices, improve marketing efforts or handle public relations. You can find experts on asset management, employee relations and financial services such as loan advising. Other aviation consultants specialize in creative services such as advertising and publicity campaigns.

I recommend: Consult with the experts at Avicor to appraise your business, help with an acquisition or determine pricing for services. It also specializes in corporate travel analysis. Touch base with Aviation Management Consulting Group on a marketing plan. It brings its aviation industry knowledge into the financial arena to help with loan acquisition, financial risk assessment and other financial services.

Engage airline industry consultants to improve business operations

Focus your company consulting needs, such as airline management consulting or airline IT consulting. Some companies provide a wide range of aviation consulting services while others specialize, especially in technical areas. Review descriptions of services to find the best fit.

I recommend: Let Williams Aviation Consultants help your business develop an efficient maintenance plan. It provides numerous other business services. Trust Keady Transportation Consulting to advise you on ways to reduce costs and improve services.

Improve your company's look and feel by using an aviation consultant

To get the most benefit from using airline consultants, hire one that specializes in your segment of the industry. You firm can find help in making aircraft (specify jets or propeller-driven) modifications, decorating gates at the airport or airplane interiors or designing new avionics.

I recommend: For that big commercial aviation consulting project, consider Synchronous Aerospace Group. Its technicians design and refurbish airplanes and flight systems. Contact Strategic Aviation Consultants and Advisors for advice on airport design. It has expertise on infrastructure, facilities and airspace design.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your airline consulting needs include airline engines, avionics or replacement parts, remember that there are stringent FAA guidelines. Be sure the consulting firm you hire has expertise in aerospace rules and regulations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hire airline consultants that specialize in your aviation operations

Select airline management consulting firms with extensive experience in your aviation operations. For the most well-rounded experience, seek aviation consultants with expertise in both the business and commercial aviation markets. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: Strategic Aviation Consultants & Advisors focuses on aviation design and systems consulting services for large companies that build airports. Keady Transportation Consulting takes on projects of all sizes and includes an online list of recent clients. Aviatrade specializes in the consultation, negotiation, acquisition, customization and pre- and post-acquisition support of cabin-class jets.

Choose an airline consultancy with relevant skills

Review the airline consulting services offered by each firm. Evaluate each firm's experience, qualifications and certifications, and request successful project examples of the specific skill sets you need, such as airline IT consulting or commercial aviation consulting. Depending upon your needs, solicit specialized airline marketing consultants or airline tourism consultants.

I recommend: Avicor Aviation offers a comprehensive menu of aviation consulting and advisory services, including feasibility studies, aircraft acquisition and fleet efficiency evaluations. AvServ provides a variety of aviation consulting services like strategic master planning and operational audits. Ranging from industry forecasting and risk management to airport operations and fleet planning, ACA Associates offers an impressive selection of aviation consulting services.

Select an aviation consultant that meets your budget

Many airline consulting firms operate on a retainer with a minimum time commitment. Several utilize an hourly fee structure for short-term projects. Your airline consultancy cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: Get a quote for commercial aviation technology solutions at Ceicom. Request a price estimate for aviation fuel and airport business consulting services at Armbrust Aviation Group.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  As federal aviation regulations continue to change rapidly, make sure your aviation consultant has expertise in the current development of airline regulations and standards required by the authorities. Ask about the consultant's relationships and experience with the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security and Federal Aviation Administration.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn to work as an aviation consultant through aviation management training

The first step in working as an aviation consultant is to get the necessary background. This includes a comprehensive technical knowledge of airplanes and other aviation systems. Aviation management training also provides the management skills needed to work with a consulting firm.

I recommend: Southern Illinois University Carbondale provides a comprehensive program in aviation management that teaches technical training, as well as management practices. South Dakota State University also provides an aviation management program with an equal amount of aviation training and business training.

Take advantage of programs and resources provided by airline industry consultants

Airline industry consultants are often best suited to train new consultants. There are many consulting firms also specialize in training and providing resources for those who want to jump into the field of airline consulting. You can also find many training programs and resources directly from government agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

I recommend: ACA Associates provides a library of articles that discuss fleet evaluation, values and analysis of the current aviation market. The FAA provides many resources and training opportunities for those looking to build on aviation skills of all types.

Attend industry events and conferences for airline management consulting

To learn more about the industry and how consulting works for aviation, attend events, seminars and conferences that pertain to the aviation industry. These events showcase the latest technology and provide educational opportunities to industry professionals.

I recommend: The International Air Transport Association provides many events and conferences throughout the year that are targeted to the airline consultancy industry, as well as those who work directly with an airline. The Aviation Management Consulting Group provides a schedule of speaking engagements where the group talks about topics in aviation management and consulting.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While airline marketing consultants may need to have a background in business and marketing, it is a good idea to also have pilot or technical training. This will serve as the basis for your aviation expertise.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Fleet planning management

Fleet planning management refers to the processes a company goes through to manage its fleet of airplanes or jets. The goal of fleet planning and management is to improve efficiency and productivity as well as reduce overall transportation costs. Many airline consultants provide services related to fleet management.

I recommend: GlobalSpec describes all the aspects of fleet management that are included in their software.

Brand management

Brand management is the application of marketing techniques to increase a product's perceived value. Some airline consultants offer brand management services to aviation companies as part of their suite of offerings.

I recommend: BusinessDictionary.com offers a definition of brand management.

Benchmarking

Benchmarking is the process of comparing the quality, cost, cycle time or productivity of a process or method to another that has been identified as an industry standard or best practice. Airline consultants often include benchmarking in the services they offer.

I recommend: Go to The Benchmarking Exchange for more information.

Expert witness

An expert witness is recognized as having knowledge of a subject beyond the average person because of education, training, skill or expertise. Others may officially or legally rely on them for their opinion about a subject or fact. Some airline consultants can provide expert witnesses when requested.

I recommend: Farlex provides a definition of expert witness.

Financial restructuring

Financial restructuring refers to the process of partially dismantling or reorganizing the finances of a company. It is often done as part of a bankruptcy or a takeover by another firm. Some airline consultants can provide consultation for financial restructuring when necessary.

I recommend: See WiseGeek for more information about financial restructuring.

Federal Aviation Administratio (FAA)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation that has the authority to regulate all aspects of civil aviation. Airline consultants must be fully aware of how the FAA works with the airline industry and can provide assistance in dealing with this agency.

I recommend: Vist the FAA Official Website for more information.