How can I start a small plane washing and detailing service for weekends only?

Question

How much will I expect to charge and what service levels are there. (such as exterior only. or waxing, and interior cleaning and destaining.

Answer 1

if i were you, i would go to a small airport near where you live. If you don't know where to find any, look for a search on google somewhere. If the people who run that airport will let you wash their planes for them, then maybe ask how much they would pay before you actually do it.

Answer 2

Print out "rotorwing's" answer and stick it up on your refrigerator.  He seems experienced, and seems to know what he is talking about.

You need to write a business plan to get all the details in order and work out what is practical and what is not.  Contact the small business assistance center at your local community college, or the Small Business Administration at www.sba.gov.  They can help you a lot.

Answer 3

Try doing your research in depth before going on an open generalized forum.

It's obvious you haven't thought this idea through.

Answer 4

I would think that most people fly on weekends, and that would limit your number of possible customers. I would think it'd be better to wash after the weekend of flying, or just before it.

Answer 5

The people that "run an airport" wont be of any help to you. Check at your local airport for FBO's - Fixed Base Operators - Those are companies that sell fuel,rent hangar space to aircraft owners and provide other services.

A great website to find these is

http://www.airnav.com -

Just check under AIIRPORTS, type in a city close to yours and there will be a list of FBOs along with other information - I would call and see if they are already using a service or if they belive this would be something their customers may be interested in.

Hope it works out for you - Could be a great idea!

Here is an article i found that may be helpful to you:

So you love airplanes and you want to start an aircraft washing service? I cannot blame you, as I did the same thing. After cleaning Thousands of aircraft over the years, I have paid for my flight school, first aircraft and then started an aircraft washing franchise as a module of another franchising company I had founded. Named the Aircraft Wash Guys we learned early on what it takes to satisfy aircraft owners, FBOs Fixed Based Operators and Chief Pilots. We always specialized in washing and polishing aircraft. We’ve cleaned thousands of private planes, corporate jets, flying clubs, flight schools and helicopters. My Car Wash Guys company was originally founded over twenty years ago and started as an aircraft washing service.

As you know, aviation people are serious about flying and a clean plane makes flying more fun and enjoyable. Corporate Aviators need you to maintain their positive image. When in the aircraft washing business you will not only wash exteriors of planes, you must also have carpet-cleaning capabilities. Many of our crewmembers are also private pilots and it pays to have pilots as part of your employee team. To learn more about aircraft washing, I have put some additional ideas online to assist you.

www.Aircraftwashguys.com/aircraftbbs

We have always kept our prices low and gone for volume, you may wish to do this or charge the going rate. Our rates are at the lower end of the spectrum and this will give you a good starting point on pricing.

Single Engines $20.00-45.00 wash, waxing $60.00-140.00, weekly wash $20.00;

Twin Engines $45.00-90.00 wash, waxing $90.00-240.00, weekly wash $40.00; Corporate Jets $90.00-140.00 wash, waxing $180.00-400.00, weekly wash $80.00;

Helicopters $30.00-100.00 wash, waxing $45.00-180.00, weekly wash $30.00. Carpet Shampooing, Bright Work and Aluminum Polishing, etc. generally we will give the customers free estimates.

You will need to perform these services the customer’s schedule and usually accommodate, immediate services, day or night, evenings and weekends. Customizing your services with the customer’s requirements must become your specialty. You will also need the following things:

Two Million in Liability Insurance

Quiet Machines and Professional Crews in Uniform

Monthly Invoice by “N”-Number

Water Reclamation Device Onboard, EPA Compliant

Truck or Trailer Mounted Unit, Fully Self Contained, Painted Safety Yellow

Owning an Aircraft Washing Service small business can be quite rewarding and although hard work, it can be an extension of your flying hobby. Just think getting paid to wash some of the latest and greatest aircraft and hanging out at the airport all day? And yes, they will even pay you very well for doing just that. Think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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