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Should You Buy Your Own Aircraft For Flight Training? 

Here's a rundown of what you should consider before buying an aircraft for flight training.

Learning to fly in your own aircraft comes with a list of added responsibilities, including maintenance and insurance costs. [Courtesy: Meg Godlewski]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Aspiring pilots should consult a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) before purchasing an aircraft to avoid common first-time buyer pitfalls and ensure the aircraft is suitable for their training needs.
  • Aircraft ownership offers scheduling flexibility but comes with substantial ongoing costs beyond the purchase price, including maintenance, insurance, and hangar fees, necessitating careful budgeting.
  • For a CFI to teach in an owner's aircraft, considerations include the CFI's qualifications and experience, potential FBO restrictions, and specific insurance requirements that may dictate CFI experience or required dual hours.
  • Aircraft ownership does not grant student pilots special privileges; all regulatory limitations, such as solo endorsements and passenger restrictions, still apply, and training should consistently progress towards certification.
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“If I buy an airplane can you teach me to fly it?”

Every certified flight instructor (CFI) hears this question at least once during their instructional career.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

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