Most people who learn to fly a plane have no intention of actually buying one for themselves. For many, it’s enough to simply have the skill — they know they can always rent one when they want to take to the skies.
However, if you’re finding that you’re spending more and more time in rentable aircraft, then it might be worth considering buying your own. Done correctly (as in, not buying new), it’s not as expensive as you might think.
In this post, we’ll run through a few things you should know before you invest in a vehicle that’ll take you to the skies.
The Process Can Be Challenging
Want to buy a used car? You can have the keys in a couple of hours. Want to be a plane? Well, that’ll take a little bit more time. In fact, it can take a considerable amount of time. Not only will you need to find a suitable plane, but you’ll need to negotiate the price and then pick it up. There’s plenty of paperwork that you’ll need to fill out, too. It’s best to think of buying a plane like buying a holiday home. But don’t worry, you’ll get there eventually!
But Maintenance Is Relatively Straightforward
People tend to worry that they’ll spend all their time maintaining their plane once it’s in their possession. But actually, planes require less maintenance than you might — or at least, that’ll be the case if you’ve bought a plane that’s in good condition. You’ll need to know how to change the oil, and also about gill batteries and how they can keep your aircraft flying strong. You’ll also need to commit to a regular maintenance schedule and be on the lookout for any unusual sounds/sensations. Beyond that, a plane isn’t as high-maintenance as you might expect.
Consider Shared-Ownership
Not sure if you can handle the cost of owning your own aircraft outright? Then consider a shared ownership arrangement. With this, you’ll share ownership with a number of other fliers, helping to dramatically reduce the cost and responsibility. Of course, part of the fun of having your own aircraft is knowing that you can take it out whenever you want, but if you can give up that advantage, then shared ownership can be a great option. Plus, it can be a great way to meet fellow fliers.
Do Your Research
You wouldn’t buy any old property — and you shouldn’t buy any old plane. There are plenty of different options on the market, so you’ll need to dedicate a lot of time to figuring out what type of aircraft will be right for your needs. Once you’ve got an idea of the type of plane you’re looking for, it’ll be time to work on making it yours. For this, it can be beneficial to work with an advisor, since they’ll have access to planes that are for sale but which aren’t listed on the public market. However it’s also possible that you simply get lucky and find the perfect plane straightaway!
