Buying a Helicopter Tourism Business?! Here's What We Think
whatshot 7 snips
Jun 10, 2025
The hosts explore a lucrative helicopter tourism business for sale, featuring remarkable profit margins and a recent legal win for exclusive access to a helipad. They discuss safety risks, the importance of skilled pilots, and the financial intricacies of the operation. Potential buyer profiles range from aviation enthusiasts to strategic tourism operators, sparking debates on ideal traits and financing strategies. With a focus on revenue generation and operational costs, this conversation uncovers the thrilling yet complex world of helicopter tourism.
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insights INSIGHT
High Margin Tourism Monopoly
This Southeast helicopter tourism business boasts $1.7 million in adjusted EBITDA and a strong local monopoly via exclusive helipad rights.
Its lean operations and ancillary revenue streams yield impressive margins and a scalable model for lifestyle or investment buyers.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Low-Cost Helicopter Tour Anecdote
In San Antonio, competing $19 helicopter tours struggle as low prices fail to drive demand.
This illustrates the risk of competing on price in this niche and the importance of quality and experience.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Prioritize Pilot Experience and Safety
Never compromise on pilot experience or maintenance quality despite pressure to fill bookings.
Prioritize safety and qualified pilots to avoid catastrophic risks in helicopter tourism.
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In this episode, the hosts dive into a high-flying tourism aviation business for sale in the Southeast, featuring helicopters, helipads, and hefty margins—with a healthy side of legal intrigue and risk. ------------------------------------------------------------------ ► Join 40,000+ business minds who read my newsletter: http://bit.ly/SmallBusinessMBA ► Deep dives on businesses for sale: https://www.youtube.com/@AcquisitionsAnonymousPodcast ► Follow me on Twitter/X: https://x.com/girdley ------------------------------------------------------------------ 🎯 Sponsors: 🔍 Acquisition Lab – Founded by Harvard MBA Walker Deibel, Acquisition Lab is your fast track to small business acquisition success. Schedule your free consultation today: https://www.acquisitionlab.com/ and tell them Acquanon sent you!
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In this jam-packed episode, Michael, Heather, Bill D'Alessandro, and Mills dissect a tourism helicopter business listed at $8.5M with $1.7M in adjusted EBITDA. Located in the Southeast, this operation includes two entities, strong margins, and a recent legal win securing exclusive access to a grandfathered helipad. The hosts debate safety risks, pilot recruitment, SBA loan eligibility, and who the right buyer might be—ranging from aviation nuts to strategic tourism operators. Tune in for a fun, thoughtful analysis of this high-risk, high-reward deal.
Key Highlights: - $8.5M asking price for a Southeast-based helicopter tourism business generating $1.7M in EBITDA - Legal victory secures exclusive helipad access, creating a possible local monopoly - Deep dive on pilot quality, aviation safety, and maintenance challenges - Pros and cons of SBA loan structuring for a capital-intensive business - Hilarious real-life stories of $20 helicopter rides and upsell pressure mid-flight - Ideal buyer profile: tourism veteran or aviation enthusiast with operational savvy
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