pacific eagle aviation
Business Name: Pacific Eagle Aviation Date: Feb 16/09
Interviewee Name: James O’Donnell
Tell me a bit about your business:
Started in 1992 and began as an airline charter business. Now we have scheduled flight service and our main service is to the First Nations, Forestry, logging and fishing.
How did your Business get started?
I had started flying when I was 14 and have always been interested in airplanes. Pacific Eagle started in Alert Bay with focus on the tourism industry. In 2001 we expanded to 3 more aircrafts because we recognized a need for more scheduled and reliable service.
What is the best achievement of your business?
The best achievement of our business has been being able to stay open for 9 years. No other airport in Port McNeill has been able to stay open for longer than 4 years.
What kind of challenges have you encountered operating your business?
Getting my own fuel supply has been a difficult and also finding docking space.
How has Community Futures Mount Waddington helped you?
Working with Community Futures Mount Waddington has been wonderful. Finding financing for airlines is very difficult. CFMW helped me to secure financing, without the help of CFMW I would never had been able to make my business a go!
How has your business changed over the years?
Everything has gotten more expensive to do, fuel prices have increased, maintenance has also become increasingly expensive. With increased costs it can be difficult to keep my prices competitive.
What do you find rewarding about you business?
Since I have flown since I was 14, my passion has always been with flying. Being able to make my customers happy is a great feeling. Pacific Eagle also has an impeccable safety record which makes me pleased.
What led you to get into business?
My love of flying from a young age.
Any advice you would give to potential entrepreneurs?
Being an entrepreneur is hard work but making sure you stick to it and do not give up.
What makes your business special and unique?
Our location to the Broughton Archipelago is ideal. We have a 1947 amphibious Seabee airplane, that has a camera on its wing that can be used for aerial photos. When tourists use us for sightseeing or whale watching we use the Seabee and they get a DVD from the camera to take home to remember their flight.
