Expert: David A. NewMyer - 11/17/2004

Question
Hi
Im interested on becoming a salesman in the aerospace industry.i would like to know 1,which area is the most profitable,2,where can i find a brief overview of the ''ins and outs'' of the industry?

p.s. i have many big contacts in the business and political community
thank you
isaac

Answer
Hi, Issac:

Nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist!

The U. S. Civil Aviation industry is composed of four major components:

1.  Aviation/Aerospace Manufacturing
2.  Airlines
3.  General Aviation (all flying except that conducted by the airlines and the military)
4.  Government aviation at the local, state and federal levels.

Sales people are needed in categories 1, 2 and 3 above...

For aviation/aerospace manufacturing, the sales people are needed to sell aircraft, aircraft components, aircraft parts and aviation product support/after market packages.

For airlines, sales people are needed to sell blocks of airline seats and cargo space to key users.

For general aviation, again aircraft sales, parts sales, and related items are sold as are flight time, time sharing of aircraft, charter flights and the like.  Also, flight instruction sales are important.

As far as which is most profitable right now, I would say that aviation manufacturing has been on a rebound of late and some sales are picking up there especially on the sales of military hardward and aircraft to regional airlines.

For airlines, regional and cargo airlines (such as UPS, FEDEX and DHL) are doing well.

And, for general aviation, fractional ownership companies such as Netjets, Flexjets and the like are doing well.

As far as brief overview by industry segment, go to the following websites by segment:

Manufacturing:  www.aiaa.org  or www.gama.org

Airlines:  www.airlines.org

General Aviation:  www.nbaa.org or www.aopa.org

I hope that this is of assistance. Best wishes,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu