Challenging Common Aircraft Buying Tips

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

Wednesday, December 08, 2021 at 09:45 AM ET

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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

Key Takeaways:

When purchasing an airplane, non-quantifiable factors like sentimental value, nostalgia, or aesthetic appeal can be as important as objective specifications and should not be overlooked.
While common aircraft are often advised for easier parts sourcing, modern global networking and owner communities can help mitigate part scarcity for less common types, often allowing buyers to acquire unique aircraft at a lower initial cost.
It is wise to gather advice, but equally important to scrutinize conventional wisdom and consider "outside the box" perspectives, as some of the most satisfying decisions are based on logic that extends beyond common rules of thumb.

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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.