The term, FBO, originated back after World War I to describe the first aviation businesesses that developed a permanent base of operations to deliver services at airports. That name stuck.

We are asked all the time, "How do you select the people to profile?" Though like many small business owners, Reed came close to bankruptcy and went on to build his business from nothing into a multi-million dollar oasis for pilots, there were three other key factors:

• He is the best at what he does. He has been recognized by his industry for outstanding service. He is an example for all of us.
• He operates in what Dun & Bradstreet describes as one of the best places for a small business in the USA. Fort Worth's mayor says, "We're where the real West begins, right next to Dallas where the East peters out."
• He was recommended by his local Chamber of Commerce for is longstanding contributions and service to the business community of Fort Worth.

Want to see an episode of the show on TV? There are over 40 different episodes that air in a given week.
1. Next episode to go up on the satellite
2. Today's episodes (up to three within a given day are displayed and only PBS-member stations are in this dynamic listing; someday other public television stations will be.)
3. Look up your state and station

The people in Texas Jet watch SmallBusinessSchool on Dallas-Fort Worth's KERA.

Contact: CONTACT:
Texas Jet, Inc. 200
Texas Way
Fort Worth, Texas 76106
Tel: 800-776-4547
E-mail: Click here
URL: http://www.texasjet.com/

We invite your questions or comments

• SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION:
  Become a member of your local station. If you are already, great. If not and your business is doing well, consider joining the Producers' Club ($1000).

• JOIN, JOIN, JOIN: Your professional associations in your industry are your key to continuing education, market research, collaborations, strategic partnerships, capital and so much more ... often you'll find that you enjoy like-minded people and many will become friends for life.

• GO FURTHER: Spend some time with each of the key points of the case study guide (just above in the green box) and each of the related transcript segments.

• GO MUCH FURTHER AND FASTER: Learn about fractionals, charters, and empty legs. Here are a few to check out:
  1. Fractional ownership: As an example, NetJets is over $5000/month after the $350K initial buy-in. Baseline is a Cessna Citation V Ultra Jet, seats seven, for 50 hours per year. If you were to amortize the buy-in over ten years, the per seat cost could be as low as $400 per hour.
  2. Charter Services: As little as $2500 per hour for a light jet (seats 6 adults) to just over $5000 per hour for a large jet that seats up to 15 adults.
  3. Empty Leg: Just put the words "empty leg" + jets into your favorite search engine and you'll find hundreds of sites. With some fancy footwork on the web, you could get a jet cross country for ten people for the price of their first-class tickets.
  4. Buy Your Own: The vision bursts into reality on December 17, 1903, Kitty Hawk,with the Wright brothers. In 1911 Clyde Cessna begins his vision. Today you can buy a Citation X, the world's fastest business aircraft.

• STEP 7: Sustainability. Reed's business is on solid ground and if his daughter does not grow into the business, he has many options ahead of him.

• Understanding the basic economics. Know and discuss the first principles of business, capitalism and democracy. Lying, cheating, and stealing can not be part of it.

• Transparency: The good will get better and the bad will be drummed out of business. The web's power is in creating transparency for all business at many different levels. The pilots association ranks FBO's and that gets published in magazines like Pilots Pilots, there are many support services web site like AirNav that also has pilots comments about Texas Jet. daughter does not grow into the business, he has many options ahead of him.

• CASES BY BUSINESS TYPE. Click on the heading to find all the business types and then click on your type of business to check out those case studies.

• NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS. There are national trade associations for every industry and business sector. These associations are the most relevant resources for continuing education and networking for small business owners. We are not alone.

• Chambers of Commerce and National Trade Associations: We work with all business associations to help them serve their members better. We did a very special episode about volunteers within the Chambers of Commerce. Plus there are special sections of this web site just for leadership within the local, state and national Chamber and all levels of our National Trade Associations.

• FIRST PRINCIPLES: Starting a business is the road to economic independence for most of us average people. Read a little more to see why incorporating a business keeps the passion of the American revolution alive!