Sleuthing To Find the Right Airplane

Jason McDowell outlines the arduous process he went through to find the aircraft that was just right for him.

Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 01:42 PM ET

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Some of the best airplanes are tucked away in hangars and unlisted; finding them requires some investigation. Chelsea Frost

Key Takeaways:

Becoming an aircraft owner demands a "detective" approach, starting with defining your mission and thoroughly researching specific models to establish strict requirements and disqualifiers.
The search requires diligent, daily monitoring of various online listings and employing unconventional methods like using crawlers or directly contacting owners of unlisted aircraft.
Persistence, thorough pre-purchase due diligence (including mechanical inspections), and leveraging networking or word-of-mouth are crucial for navigating a competitive market and ultimately securing the right aircraft.

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To become a pilot, one must also become a bit of a scientist, building an understanding of aerodynamics and meteorology. A pilot must also become a bit of an engineer, embracing the systems of their aircraft and learning how to detect and address signs of trouble.

But to become an owner, one must first become a detective. In the current market, airplanes are routinely sold within minutes of being listed, and unless you happen to call immediately and secure the first spot in line, you have to get creative with your search techniques.