Optionally Piloted Aircraft

Owning an airplane always was a dream of mine, one I recently was able to realize. Like so many others, I spent many years renting, and borrowing or participating in flying clubs, as I learned to fly and use an airplane both fun and travel. But theres no free lunch, and owning an airplane brings responsibilities and hassles. Theyre mostly worthwhile, of course.

Editorial Staff

Monday, May 16, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Owning an airplane, while a dream come true, comes with responsibilities and hassles, particularly when the aircraft is in maintenance and unavailable.
During a period when the author's plane was in the shop, flying "other people's airplanes" (OPA) revealed significant downsides like frequent mechanical failures and unfamiliar cockpit layouts that required extra effort.
Despite the challenges, the experience also offered valuable insights into new capabilities and equipment decisions from the OPA, which the author plans to apply to their own aircraft.
Ultimately, relying on OPA reinforced the author's appreciation for the familiarity, reliability, and custom fit of their own airplane.

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Owning an airplane always was a dream of mine, one I recently was able to realize. Like so many others, I spent many years renting, and borrowing or participating in flying clubs, as I learned to fly and use an airplane both fun and travel. But there’s no free lunch, and owning an airplane brings responsibilities and hassles. They’re mostly worthwhile, of course.

One of the biggest hassles is not having your own airplane standing by at the airport when it’s in maintenance. I recently suffered through such a temporary loss when my airplane went into the shop for some major upgrades and modifications, which took several weeks. While the airplane wasn’t available, I met my business and personal travel needs the old-fashioned way: with other people’s airplanes, OPA. In the process, I learned how spoiled I had become.