Ownership

Add your knowledge! The Knowledge Base is a dynamic, active project and depends on information submitted by knowledgeable pilots, mechanics, and aircraft owners. If you have a specific addition, suggestion, or change for the article, you can comment below and even attach files. If you have an idea for a new article, please email [email protected].

Purchasing an aircraft can be a very simple process, but exercising maximum due diligence is highly suggested prior to completing a transaction. Many of the most popular bush plane aircraft are type certified models that were manufactured in the 1940's, 50's, and 60's, and are still flying today because of good maintenance and/or dedicated restorers. However, many aircraft have not been well maintained, yet still fly. It can be a very expensive and heartbreaking experience to purchase an aircraft that appears good on the outside, but contains many hidden maintenance items that must be addressed for continued safe flight.

What aircraft is right for me?

The age-old question of "what aircraft is right for me?" is one of the most popular topics in the forum, and rightly so. Choosing between 2 seats and 4 seats, LSA and Standard Category, and engine size, can really tax our dichotomizing brains. Often the question comes down to the owner's mission: What will you use the aircraft for 80% of the time? Will you mainly hop farm strips at low elevations? Or take the entire family camping in the mountains? This can decide that juggling of specs, and how much money can be justified for the mission.

Buying complete vs building at home

Amateur homebuilding of aircraft is a complex topic, because while the dreaming and shopping is the easiest part of the process, it can prove difficult to finish for busy people with careers and families. This question is actually 2 questions: 1) Type certified vs Experimental Amateur Homebuilt and 2) Complete aircraft (used) vs kit or scratchbuilding.

Certified vs Experimental

Forthcoming

Complete vs Kit/scratchbuilding

Forthcoming

Pre-purchase inspection

Forthcoming

Costs

Discussion or questions about aircraft modifications should begin in our discussion forum. Comments on this page should be reserved for critique of the actual content on this page, suggestions, additions, etc to help improve this as a resource.

Overall Rating (0)

0 out of 5 stars

People in this conversation

Comments (12)

Load Previous Comments

  • I suggest adding a landing gear configuration to the list of items to consider. Tricycle gear versus tail dragger is an old subject but a necessary consideration for any aircraft purchase since numerous designs can be configured either way. I expect it will be a somewhat colorful discussion between the two camps...

    1 Short URL:

  • After one year of owning our Kitfox IV Speedster, purchased in Colorado and flown home across the Rockies, Utah, Oregon, Idaho and Washington I can say that for me purchasing was a much better decision than trying to buy, build and certify a kit. I'll probably get five years of flying in, and am very pleased with the aircraft. I am of course discovering things I'd like to repair, or change, but that's part of the process, but in the meantime I'm flying, not dreaming. Just put 21" Nanco tires on the original Kitfox wheels, and waiting to install the pneumatic tailwheel, and then it's off to the backcountry around Washington.

    0 Short URL:

  • Financing a classic/vintage aircraft can be a challenge, too, since the bank is going to want to make sure that they can recover the cost of their investment should the purchaser default on his/her loan. The younger your plane, the higher likelihood you'll find a lender willing to work with you.

    I talked to a couple of lenders about purchasing a 40s-50s vintage aircraft (larger one that you wouldn't normally pay cash for), and they weren't willing to cover it. I ended up investing in a 1990s model that was easier to work with them on.

    from Wisconsin, USA
    0 Short URL:

  • If you live in Washington the buyer is required to pay what they call "Use Tax" it just happens to be the say rate as the sales tax. Figure that!!

    0 Short URL:

  • Can anyone recommend someone to do a pre-purchase inspection in the Medford, OR area?

    Thanks!

    0 Short URL:

  • I just purchased a 59 180B now it's time to sell my Maule M5 180

    0 Short URL:

  • 180 Guy

    Probably out of my price range but PM me and tell me what you’ve got. [email protected]

    1 Short URL:

  • Boy sight unseen seems dangerous to me.
    A pre buy is going to cost you$500 that's good money walked away from if that plane you buy is a $1000 + every time you have someone look at it.
    Remember that annuals don't mean much if your not there and didn't pay for it .
    Things can just get pencil whipped

    0 Short URL:

  • Will this article be completed at some point?

    0 Short URL:

  • I am in the process of purchasing a 50% share in a Commanche 250. We would like to formalize our agreement. If anyone had a copy of a partnership or shared ownership agreement they are using and are happy with, we would very much appreciate getting a copy. We will have an attorney draw up our agreement - but we would feel better having a few examples to make sure nothing is left off. I'm sure we are not the only ones looking for this information as these agreements seem to be in short supply. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

    0 Short URL:

Knowledge Base

Similar articles by tag

No matching tags

Disclaimer

While this knowledge base is a compilation of information from various sources, some official in nature, it is not a recognized or acredited source of aviation training information, and thus should be considered entertainment. Please consult a FAA-certificated flight instructor or mechanic prior to putting any information found here into practice.