How to advertise for flying?

Question

I got a new job - flying as a commercial pilot with a small local company - however the catch of the job is, I need to advertise (for the first few months) or recruit people to travel on 10-14 day tours of the Australian outback in order to get work.

In addition I need to advertise for other customers who might need flying services...

What should I do to advertise? Where to place ads? Are places like train stations and aero clubs a good idea?

Tourist offices?

What sort of advertising?

How about for other general customers?

Any help appreciated!

Answer 1

Sounds like BS to me, I would check into this company before signing anything.

Answer 2

Not sure how close you are to a major tourist area, but if it's anything like the major tourist areas around here, there are tons of brochures for every kind of tourist-trap. Really, this should be the company's expense and not yours, but in the local tourist travel info booklets and at every local restaurant and store put up the pamphlets.

As is so typical in the aviation industry, pilots are so desperate for a job and flight hours, they'll do nearly anything... including doing the company's work and advertising on their own dollar. My suggestion is to not put too much money into advertising, because you're probably working for a jerk and you'll want to quit soon anyhow. Did he also say you need to provide your own plane and maintenance? I know what the industry is like, so I know it's not like you can just go next door to work for the next guy, but I think it's a bit silly to pay your own money trying to drum up business.

Answer 3

sounds like you have some pretty good ideas already. The internet is a great way to get the word out plus there are tons of travel sites about Australia. Put some brochures in the local information centres of hot tourist spots also. If you have enough money to work with even try magazines both aviation and tourism related. It sounds like a cool job, I hope to work rotorcraft tourism in Aussie one day.