A Fellow New Airplane Owner Starts With an Unusual Choice

As a young aircraft maintenance student, this pilot decided he wanted his aircraft to have European flair, but it came with challenges.

Jason McDowell

Wednesday, March 09, 2022 at 10:30 AM ET

Verified

Nontraditional types present additional challenges to aircraft ownership, but they can also provide some unique benefits. [Photo: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

Cameron Shepard, a new private pilot, opted to purchase a rare 1978 SOCATA Rallye, a French aircraft with only about 60 examples in the U.S., diverging from the typical choice of common, easy-to-maintain planes.
Owning the uncommon Rallye presented unique hurdles, including limited insurance options and challenges in sourcing specialized parts, which he sometimes mitigated through resourcefulness like acquiring a large inventory of spares.
Despite its rarity, the Rallye offered distinct operational advantages such as control sticks that provided excellent instrument panel visibility for IFR training, and automatically deploying leading-edge slats that enhanced low-speed handling and short-field performance.
Cameron advises prospective rare aircraft owners to join type clubs, thoroughly research the aircraft's full manufacturing history, be proactive in identifying potential issues, and embrace the unique, rewarding experience that balances the inherent challenges.

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When shopping for their first airplane, most new private pilots tend to focus on predictable, safe types that are a known quantity and easy to own. Types like Cessna 150s, Piper Cherokees, and the like typically top the list of contenders. Types that were produced in great quantities, that any mechanic can easily maintain, for which replacement parts are cheap and plentiful.

Cameron Shepard had a decidedly different philosophy. When he was a poor 19-year-old aircraft maintenance student, he opted to become part owner of a 1978 SOCATA Rallye. Relatively common in Europe, the French airplane is a rare sight in the U.S., with about 60 examples appearing on the FAA registry. It features an enormous bubble canopy that envelops all four seats, side-by-side seating with control sticks, and automatically deploying leading-edge slats that enable great control at low airspeeds.