Mark H Jones Jr's Friends

Mark H Jones Jr's Groups

What is the goal or dream that you have that you've been unable to attain?: My goal is to separate from the military in June 2011, settle somewhere in the country--wherever God leads us--where my family and I can grow and thrive, and Multiply Leaders with ATOMs (Applied Tools of Mathematics) in the aviation and flight test industry.

What is your passion?: My Father, faith, and family--and then leadership, Multiplying (mathematics), and aviation!

What can the members of this site help you with? (If you don't ask you won't get help).: Ideas on practical web design tools or techniques
Ideas on how to make analytical tools more useful
Feedback on progress I've made
Accountability

At 9:46pm on February 11, 2010, Justin Lukasavige said…: Welcome Mark, and GREAT picture! I know you've put a lot of thought into this business, not to mention a lot of work. I see you out there making it happen!

Can't wait to meet you guys on the cruise!

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help or serve in the mean time.

Justin

At 9:55pm on February 11, 2010, Mark H Jones Jr said…: Thanks, Justin. I feel a little bit less than transparent with this picture, but it really illustrates my passion. I've heard you mention "Beyond Past Due" before, but I had no idea it was a social network like this (like 48days.net). I would have been here so much sooner had I realized.

You already do so much, thanks.

At 10:05pm on February 11, 2010, Justin Lukasavige said…: Wow, what a great question Mark.

The ability to multitask and be good at multiple things has always been there, but I think aviation pulled that out of me. Managing multiple projects is key in what I do.

I had an EICAS message at FL270 over RIC that basically said no fuel in the right tank. We were flying to Greensboro but we were safely on the ground in less than 10 minutes. That took a lot of work and it's what I thrived under.

At 10:15pm on February 11, 2010, Justin Lukasavige said…: I was all over the place, but put about 5,000 into the Embraer 145.

At 8:09am on February 12, 2010, Chris Findley said…: MEI...cool. I'm just MEL rated. Hope to add the MEI after this transition we're going through. I'm spending a lot of time these days looking at developing an LSA school (You familiar with LSAs?). I think there's a real market for this, as no one in TN is doing it. The issue is finding a model that will be profitable. Most flight schools have such a narrow margin. My gut is saying that it has to be done by multiplication- several instructors at first and add a 2nd aircraft asap, while I focus on marketing and strategy. Capital becomes an issue...so...lot's to think about. Let me know if you have any thoughts on this! Later!

At 8:23am on February 12, 2010, Mark H Jones Jr said…: Here's my thought--don't sell LSA instruction...sell an idea, a how to guide, a package--sell a profitable, repeatable, simple model for an LSA instruction franchise. Have you read eMyth Revisited (a must for any entrepreneur)? Figure out a model that anyone, everyone, can reproduce. Then show every single flight school in the whole state how they can easily implement that model and sell it to them. Then show every single CFI in the whole state why they need to get on the bus. Then show every single airport in the whole state why they want to add your LSA franchise. Show them how sticky your idea is. It won't be long until "The Hangar" is the most popular blog for finding out how to start an LSA franchise.

If you sell LSA instruction to ten students, you can make X dollars.
If you sell the model for LSA instruction to ten flight schools who already have capital, a market, etc., you can influence ten x ten students; you can help those flight schools make ten x Xdollars each...now you are multiplying your growth instead of just adding to it.

I could keep rambling on, but I need to get ready for work...I love flying airplanes!

At 11:06am on February 12, 2010, Derek Sisterhen said…: Hey Mark - welcome to Beyond Past Due! It's great to have you in this community!

I love your profile pic - is that really you in the cockpit? I used to dream of flying jets as a little boy; turns out I'm a pretty big finance nerd!

Please let me know how I can help you plug in here - I'm happy to help!

Glad you're here!

Derek

Join the Revolution

At 7:58pm on February 12, 2010, Mark H Jones Jr said…: Hi Derek,

Yep, that's me in the cockpit of a MiG-15, one of over thirty different kinds of airplanes I got to fly during my training at Test Pilot School.

There's still time to learn to fly. In fact, I could teach you, or Chris Findley, who recently joined the community could teach you. Personally, I love to share the joy of flying, especially how the technical aspects of it can Multiply Leadership of any business and even serve as an illustration of the importance of a budget.

Glad to be here. Love your show.

Thanks,
Mark

At 7:43pm on February 19, 2010, Chris Findley said…: Just had the urge to send you a note of encouragement. Hope all is well. Really appreciate your advice and ideas. Love your website too, clicked around there recently....good stuff. Chris

At 10:37pm on February 19, 2010, Chris Findley said…: Say "Hi" to all my new friends for me, particular Kent and Justin...enjoy...should be a GREAT trip! Godbless...