Apply HN: Aerfolio – Digital Aircraft Logbooks
Aircraft-owner market is overdue for innovation: aircraft logs, maintenance records, etc. are all typically recorded by hand in paper logbooks. And if those logs are lost or destroyed in a fire, the aircraft is generally deemed not-flightworthy and resale value diminishes to near zero $. So - there is real, catastrophic potential downside to not keeping redundant records.
Solution:
Web + mobile app for tracking aircraft fleets & basically digitizing aircraft and engine logbooks. Similar concept to fleetio.com but focused on aircraft fleets instead of truck fleets. (One critical difference: aircraft maintenance based on # hour of operation, instead of # of miles traveled.)
The app would also deliver users periodic reminders - when scheduled maintenance is due, or when loan/insurance payments are due, for example. Beyond the basic concept, we also have whole slew of ideas about important features, UI and general program logic.
The app would be useful for owners of a single airplane/helicopter, but would probably be most helpful for owners of 2+ aircraft. Software like this does exist for passenger airlines & very big air freight companies - but it's prohibitively expensive for most private owners and small corporate fleets.
Additional Background:
Our dad has been an airplane & helicopter pilot for 25+ years and in that time has owned numerous aircraft. For 18+ years, he owned & operated the biggest helicopter flight training school in the Midwest... I basically grew up at the airport.
So, we have deep contacts within the local & regional aviation community. Many of his friends and former students are themselves aircraft owners - so we have big headstart on finding early test users. *Also have contacts into the aviation departments at some of the big St. Louis-based corporations (e.g., Anheuser-Busch, Emerson Electric). Likewise, we have a firm grasp on the industry trade publications, trade shows and other marketing/advertising venues.