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How to start a aviation business in West Virginia
Charter, flight school, drone services, aircraft management, or maintenance.
Recommended structure
LLC
Typical startup cost
$50,000 – $5,000,000
State
West Virginia
Step-by-step
- 1Form an LLC and get an EIN
- 2Apply for the appropriate FAA certificate (Part 135, 141, or 145)
- 3Get aircraft hull + liability insurance
- 4Open a business bank account + line of credit
- 5Hire a Director of Operations and Chief Pilot (if Part 135)
- 6Set up scheduling + maintenance tracking software (Flightdocs, CAMP)
Licenses & permits you'll likely need
- FAA Part 135 (charter) or Part 141 (flight school) certificate
- FAA Part 145 (repair station) if applicable
- Drone Part 107 (commercial drones)
- State business license
Exact requirements vary by city and county. Confirm locally before you operate.
Insurance
- • Aircraft hull + liability
- • General liability
- • Workers' comp
Tax notes
Aircraft depreciation under MACRS or bonus depreciation is significant. Bonus depreciation rules change year to year — verify with a CPA.
Business banking
Aviation has massive capital requirements — establish banking and lending relationships before you need them.
Official West Virginia filing links
File LLC / Corp with West Virginia
West Virginia Secretary of State
Search business name
Confirm your name is available
Apply for an EIN (IRS)
Free federal tax ID
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