Register

Window Shopping Can Be Antidote for Annual Inspection Blues

What can feel like infidelity is a good way to pass the time while your aircraft is in the shop.

A Piper PA-31 twin is a step up power, comfort and complexity.
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Despite being content with his current Commander 114B, "Annie," the author frequently browses the used aircraft market, getting tempted by various makes and models during her annual inspection.
  • He explores diverse aircraft options, from a powerful multi-engine twin to an amphibious floatplane and a modern Diamond DA50 RG, each offering different appeals like utility or performance.
  • Ultimately, practical constraints, such as the Diamond DA50 RG's wingspan being too wide for his hangar, bring him back to appreciating and reaffirming his commitment to his current aircraft.
See a mistake? Contact us.

As I wait for the call to retrieve my airplane from its first annual inspection under my ownership, I have confirmed that absence indeed makes the heart grow fonder. It can also make the eyes wander, especially when temptations abound.

Because I spend a lot of time perusing the used market on Aircraft For Sale I have a strong sense of the interesting makes and models looking for new homes. From nearly new four-seat family aircraft to rare antiques and warbirds, the general aviation inventory truly has something for everyone in terms of size, performance, utility, and style.

Jonathan Welsh

Jonathan Welsh is Lead Editor of Aviation Consumer and a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE