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How to Buy a Used Jet

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Buying a first jet is a highly complex process that requires specialized knowledge, far exceeding the complexity of purchasing a house at a similar price point.
  • Assembling a dedicated team of experts is crucial, including a light-jet broker for market assessment, a tax consultant for legal and financial structures, and a mechanical expert for maintenance history and specific inspections.
  • Understanding the true costs of ownership, mission profile, and critical details like engine programs is paramount, as these significantly impact the overall value and long-term expenses beyond the initial purchase price.
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Any number of experts can help you buy a jet. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. But I did buy a jet — my first — recently, and the experience taught me some lessons. It is entirely possible that you and your company will employ an expert or two to help you find a turbofan-powered airplane and that my experience will seem bush league to you. It did not seem bush league to me. Since buying the jet, I’ve spent several hours listening to recorded messages when looking for information from Rockwell Collins (FMS database), CAMP (maintenance tracking) and Williams International (engines).

Dick Karl

Dick Karl is a cancer surgeon who appreciates the beauty and science involved in both surgery and flying. Dick’s monthly Gear Up celebrates the human side of flying. He writes about his enthusiasm for both the machines and the people who fly and maintain them.

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