A few months ago, after more than a decade of dreamy window shopping, I began seriously looking for an airplane to buy. This was a big shift that raised uncomfortable questions from whether I could afford the endeavor to how to avoid picking a lemon. Perhaps the most important one was, “What is my mission?”
We might imagine ourselves crossing oceans or plying the deepest backcountry to a gravel bar or dry river bed suitable for landing. But eventually we have to realistically assess our reasons for wanting a personal aircraft. In my case, family travel is the motivation.
