Fly Used; A Wise Decision

First you’ll want to list some of the pros of buying an airplane as opposed to renting or borrowing. Renting can be upwards of $50/hr, which means you might spend over $4,000 annually depending on how frequently a flier you are. There are clubs and private organizations through which you can have a plane readily available for you to rent. A big problem with this is you can never be sure of how often they do routine upkeep on the plane. Also, at times, the planes that they have may be booked by others at the time that you need the plane. Owning your own plane means access to fly whenever and wherever you want, as long as you are adhering to the TSA guidelines.

There is something weighing on you, distracting you from enjoying the process of buying your very own airplane, what could it be? Ah yes, it’s ever-dreaded price of an aircraft for sale. Even if you don’t know much about airplanes or how much they cost, you know it’s not going to be cheap.

As the same for any type of transportation, you’ll want to insure this investment. In dealing with aircraft, there are two types of insurance; liability and hull. The hull insurance will cover physical damage to your aircraft and can also be deemed a necessity in order for anyone to give you a loan. The liability, in the same case as an automobile, protects your assets against claims arising from an accident involving the use of your plane. Insurance can range from $600 to $2,000 for a smaller plane, depending on the insurance package you decide to get.

Generally there are two types of storage available, some sort of tie down, or a hangar. Tie downs can mean anything from a grass spot where you’ll have to install your own anchor, or marked stalls on concrete pavement. Tie downs are definitely cheaper, but hangars will protect your airplane from precipitation, wind, sun, and vandals. However, there is the possibility of “hangar rash” which is caused by the tips of the wings of one aircraft to brush against another. Be sure to check out the hangar and make sure it’s not just chaotic cramming of as many aircraft as will fit in the hangar.

Other various costs will include airport fees and fuel. This cost will definitely vary because it depends on the actual usage of these things. The annual inspection is something else to be aware of. Each year you’ll need to have your plane inspected to make sure it fits all safety standards. Additional maintenance from a mechanic may be required, but it is definitely worth the cost.

Start a checklist on paper or in your head, of all the requirements you want your aircraft to meet. Think of as many factors as you can, and ask yourself as many questions as you can. How many friends or family members do you plan on carrying at one time on your aircraft? How long of a distance will the flight be? How fast do you need to get there, and what type of airstrip will you be landing on? Take your time and write down all of these questions, they will help determine the quality of your flight experience and are crucial to your satisfaction.

There are a few different places where you can find aircraft for sale. If you head on down to your local airstrip, you might notice there are clubs for avid flyers. This can be a good place to start your search for an aircraft. They might even have bulletin boards announcing the sale of a plane, or just ask different people if they’ve heard of any potential sellers. Take out an ad in your local newspaper, or search the classifieds. There are even classified magazines available which specialize in the selling of small aircraft. Of course if you’re looking for the widest variety of aircraft, and the most varying in price, you’ll want to take your search online. There are many personal ads for people selling aircraft, and there are even sites that specialize in the buying and selling of used or new aircraft.

Before you make the final purchase, it is strongly recommended that you have a mechanic inspect the plane. In this inspection, you’ll want to confirm that the airworthiness directives are up to date, all maintenance was performed and recorded correctly, and all inspections are current. Finding a mechanic who is familiar with the make and model is a must, so they know what areas to focus on. If there are any repairs that need to be done, see if you can get the seller to make these before you purchase the aircraft for sale.

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