Guide to Buying a Used Airplane

New or experienced, young or old, it doesn’t matter. Pilots have flying in their blood, and once it’s there, it’s there to stay. They have such passion for flying, it’s not surprising that most, if not all, dream of one day owning their own aircraft. Cost is the barrier most face, but buying a used airplane is one way to leap over into ownership.

When new light-sport aircrafts cost at least $150,000 and close to $250,000 for entry-level Part 23, it’s no surprise that a lot of pilots can’t do more than stare in envy. What if that didn’t have to be the case? What if you could be cool and retro, finding and rehabbing an old plane that doesn’t deserve to die just yet?

There are a lot of great older planes out there. That’s because between 1965 and 1980 there were about 215,000 piston planes built and 10,000 general aviation planes. That’s about 14,000 produced each year, while today, less than 1,000 are produced annually.

If you are willing to buy one that needs some work—often either a panel upgrade or an engine overhaul, you can buy one for less, knowing you will have a sizable bill ahead of you. The bonus in that is your ability to then have the repair work done at a shop of your choosing.

Patience with finding the aircraft that is right for you can be fairly demanding and take a lot of your time, or you can ask a professional to do the legwork for you.

J.A. Aero offers acquisition services that will save you countless hours searching. Let us know what you are looking for, what your budget is for not only the purchase, but also any needed refurbishment or repairs. With more than 30 years’ experience helping pilots find the right aircraft, we know all the right questions to ask.

Having help with a major purchase like this, especially when there are an overwhelming number of options when it comes to performance, characteristics, and price, can mean the difference between a beloved plane that gets a lot of use and one that is an expensive dust collector.

Before buying any aircraft , there are a number of questions you should obtain answers to:

There are a lot of details you should know before agreeing to the purchase of an aircraft, including what repairs will be necessary right away, what will need to be done sometime down the line, and what it all will cost you. Then there are the “electives”—those things you would like done “just because.”

J.A. Air will ask those questions for you, give you a comprehensive overview of the current condition of the aircraft, what must be done, what you may want to consider doing, along with other options and they will not only negotiate on your behalf, but also give you the after-purchase costs involved.

Acquisition consultations are free and often lead to not only the best value aircraft, but the best choice for YOU. Call today to  set up an appointment .