Aircraft ownership might seem like a dream for the average pilot, but those who have gone through it know that buying an airplane can be a real nightmare! Here are a few tips to help you navigate your way through the aircraft buying process.
Determine Your Budget
First and foremost, you’ll want to determine a budget to stick to. It’s extremely easy to overspend and there will likely be costs that arise that you didn’t plan for. The best thing to do is create a spreadsheet of your own or use an online cost calculator. Members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association can access a reliable cost calculator on www.aopa.org.
As you may know, there’s more to aircraft cost than just the purchase price of the airplane itself. You’ll need to purchase an insurance policy, hangar or tie-down rental, fuel, oil, parts and maintenance. And don’t forget the accessories: Passenger headsets and engine covers might seem inexpensive, but these costs add up quickly.
Know What You Need (Not What You Want)
Are you a weekend pilot or a business pilot? Do you fly mostly fair-weather flights in the local area, or do you log hours on long cross country flights in instrument meteorological conditions? The type of flying you do will largely determine what kind of airplane you will need and what features and capabilities it will need to have.
Every pilot wants a brand new technologically advanced airplane with a great paint job, a high cruise speed, and the latest GPS. But a private pilot that flies a few hours on the weekend won’t see the benefits of higher horsepower and retractable gear. Instead, buying a fast, complex airplane just means a higher price tag (and more costly insurance premiums) for the same type of flying.
On the other hand, a business pilot, flying cross country three days a week might find it beneficial to invest in a complex or turbocharged airplane to save time and carry more passengers or cargo.
Get Pre-Approved Financing
If you’re a serious buyer, you may want to get a pre-approved loan from the bank. If you choose to do so, you will likely be approved for a certain amount of money and for a specific class aircraft. Of course, it’s helpful to know your budget and what type of airplane you’re looking for in this case.
You’ll show a seller that you’re serious when you show up with the financial situation already take care of. The seller will probably be more interested in working with you and you’ll have peace of mind knowing you will be able to follow through. As a bonus, pre-approval should speed up the closing process.
Start Your Search
Finding your dream airplane has never been easier. With today’s vast amount of online resources, you can look anywhere for your perfect airplane. While many good deals are still found on your local airport bulletin board, you can usually find a large selection of aircraft for sale on websites or in trade publications like Trade-a-Plane or Globalair.com.
Take a Test Flight
When you begin to look at and test-fly potential aircraft in person, it would be wise to take along a trusted aircraft maintenance technician or A&P mechanic. They’ll be helpful when it comes to test flying the aircraft, since they know how to look for certain engine and handling characteristics.
If you can’t take a mechanic with you on the first visit, make sure you have the aircraft inspected thoroughly at some point before you purchase it.
You’ll want to do a thorough preflight inspection yourself, being sure to look for signs of corrosion or other obvious signs of neglect like broken antennas or worn tires.
Inspect the Documents
Once you’ve decided on an airplane, you’ll need to spend some time in the books. A careful inspection of the aircraft’s maintenance logs will let you know if it’s been maintained properly, or if there were recurring maintenance problems in the past.
Upon completing the aircraft purchase, you will need to register the aircraft in your name. You can transfer the aircraft registration by sending an application, proof of ownership and $5 to the FAA.
Finally, you are responsible for the airworthiness of the aircraft once it’s in your hands. The airworthiness certificate will transfer with the sale of the aircraft, but it’s up to you to make sure the aircraft itself is still airworthy. If you’re unsure of the status if the aircraft’s airworthiness certificate after a sale, contact the nearest FAA regional office (FSDO) for more guidance.
Get Insured
Maneuvering your way through the insurance process can be a daunting task. While you might want to put this off until the last minute, it might be in your best interest to begin the process sooner rather than later.
Insurance companies typically set the requirements and premiums based on the type of airplane and pilot qualifications. So if you know you’ll be purchasing a Cessna 172, you can probably get started with the process of obtaining insurance.
Use Your Resources
Buying an airplane is a lot of work, especially if it’s your first one. It is a good time to call upon your fellow aviators, mechanics and aircraft owners to help.
If you’re a member if any professional aviation organizations, review your membership benefits and use the resources that are available. AOPA, for example, is a great resource for aircraft owners. Professional aviation organizations may also offer insurance discounts and other perks that the first time buyer might be interested in.