Buying a Helicopter Tourism Business?! Here's What We Think

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.
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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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