Aviation and business industries are often intertwined with one another – including private air travel for executives, logistics and shipping, and more. As such, it may make smart business sense to obtain your private pilot license in order to save time and money on travel, gain an advantage over competitors and come off as a more reputable, professional organization, among other reasons.
So, if you’re not convinced you should get your pilot’s license, here are seven business reasons to change your mind.
1) Maximize Opportunities
If you’ve ever faced the challenge of not being able to get to a big meeting, conference or other business event due to logistics and travel challenges, you know what it’s like to have missed out on a key opportunity. This is why CEOs use private jets to get around the world. However, whenever there’s a potential for lost business, anyone that wants to maximize their opportunities should consider obtaining a pilot’s license.
2) Make Any Business Meeting Happen
When you’re stuck to flying on an airline or driving, the logistics, cost and time to get to business meetings that are in another part of the country or world can be astronomical, and possibly not worth wasting resources. With a pilot’s license, businesspeople can make their own schedule and jet off to business meetings at a moment’s notice. You can plan a meeting over coffee in the morning, a lunch meeting in the afternoon and be home for dinner with your family.
3) Gain an Advantage Over Competitors
We all know the saying, “time is money” in business. Of course, another element—timing—is also critical in your ability to grow your business. By using a pilot’s license to fly yourself or clients, businesspeople can get to destinations quicker, before competitors, without facing downtime waiting for flights at an airport. In addition, you can fly to any airport that’s closer to the meeting. For example, if a regional airport is closer to your client meeting, you can land there instead of dealing with a busier international airport that might be further away.
4) Step Away From the Work
As a successful business person, you know the importance of stepping away from work once in a while. Flying is the perfect way to take your mind off work and challenge yourself in a new, rewarding way. Obtaining a pilot’s license is the first step to clearing your mind and staying sane so you can always put your best foot forward during business meetings and beyond.
5) Gain Unbeatable Networking Opportunities
The world’s most successful businesspeople fly in private planes – if you hang out at enough hangars, you’re bound run into a plethora of different potential business connections in your travels as a private pilot. Additionally, pilots meet an incredibly wide array of people from all walks of life, that can enrich both their business and private lives.
6) Take Advantage of Tax Deductions
If learning to fly is related to your business, it will most likely be tax deductible. According to the IRS, educational expenses may be deducted if the education (A) maintains or improves skills required in your employment, trade, or business; or (B) meets the express requirements of your employer or the requirements of applicable law or regulations imposed as a condition for your retention of salary, status, or employment. If your flying is purely personal in nature, you will not be able to take a tax deduction for flight training expenses. So, at the end of the day, you may be able to convince your accountant to let you go ahead with your flight training and justify it with the tax write-off.
7) Learn Challenging Lessons and Have Rewarding Experiences
Learning how to fly comes with its own unique set of challenges and rewards – most of which will translate into your business career. In the U.S., there are several different ways to obtain the 40-hour minimum flight time and exams to obtain your private pilot’s license. In general, you’ll attend a flight school that spreads out your education over a few-month period. After all is said and done, you’ll have a new set of skills that you can apply to your business.
Are you interested in learning how to fly? Get in touch with Inflight Pilot Training today!
Inflight is a leading pilot training company serving the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. With a reputable training program and extensive roster of highly skilled, certified flight instructors, it’s our goal to help you achieve the certification you want. From private pilot certificates to airline transport pilot certificates and everything in between, we can help you reach your goals – get in touch with our team of flight instructors to find out more.
For additional information on Inflight training programs, contact us today or call (952) 698-3000.
