Register

Challenging Common Aircraft Buying Tips

The folks at your flying club mean well, but sometimes their advice isn’t on the mark.

The owner of this Bellanca Viking acknowledges it costs more to own and operate than more common types, but he cherishes the memories it brings back from childhood, when he rode along in his father’s Viking. Credit: Chris Westcott
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Beyond quantifiable specifications, emotional connections, personal history, and aesthetic appeal are legitimate and impactful factors that can and should influence aircraft purchasing decisions.
  • Although common advice favors aircraft with easily sourced parts, modern global networking and proactive parts acquisition can make less common types with "orphan" components a more affordable and viable option.
  • While seeking advice is valuable, buyers should critically scrutinize common wisdom and be open to "outside the box" decisions that balance traditional logic with personal preferences and strategic planning.
See a mistake? Contact us.

If you should ever happen to walk into a small flying club on a Saturday morning to find that the conversation has died among the regular doughnut-devouring attendees, there’s one surefire way to stoke the fires of discussion—simply reveal to the group that you’re shopping for a particular type of airplane, sit back, and get comfortable. Within seconds, you’ll be inundated with a deluge of tips, warnings, and advice regarding your imminent purchase.

Gathering advice from those with more experience than ourselves is wise; I always prefer to learn from another’s bad situation than from one of my own. But there are exceptions to even some of the best, most commonly heard pieces of advice, and it’s a good idea to scrutinize all of them.

Jason McDowell

Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.

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