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:

The author, a new airplane owner, learned the downside of ownership when his plane was in maintenance, forcing him to fly "other people's airplanes" (OPAs).
Flying OPAs exposed him to issues like frequent breakdowns and unfamiliar cockpit layouts, which made flying more challenging and less trustworthy compared to his own aircraft.
Despite the difficulties, the OPA experience also offered valuable insights into different equipment and capabilities, providing ideas for future upgrades to his own plane and ultimately deepening his appreciation for it.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.