Ownership

After our story last year on great values in used aircraft “Aftermarket Stars,” January 2014 our readers told us they wanted more. So here’s Part II. Only this time we’ll focus on airplanes that are in our opinion historically underrated. It’s no secret that over the past three decades the prices of new airplanes have […]

If you haven’t noticed, general aviation is on the verge of a mini revolution — and it has nothing to do with jet-fuel-burning diesel engines, shiny new glass cockpits or multibillion-dollar NextGen modernization programs. Instead, the big change in aviation centers on the new millennium’s “sharing economy” and you, the pilot — or, more precisely, […]

A new private pilot, who had big dreams but not big money, was contemplating purchasing an older Mooney. He had limited mechanical skills and no concept of the potential cost of maintaining a complex airplane. He just liked the looks of the plane and its performance. Roger that. Many people buy their first aircraft for […]

A new concept in aircraft ownership is taking flight with the launch of DiamondShare, a shared-use program that seeks to make flying more affordable by spreading the costs around. As you might have guessed, the idea is based exclusively on Diamond Aircraft products, specifically the four-place, single-engine Diamond DA40 XLS. The program matches aircraft owners […]

Eclipse Aerospace has made jet ownership a little easier by offering a limited number of Eclipse 550 positions with an incentive program called the Eclipse Carefree Ownership Program. During the first year of ownership, customers will receive up to $75,000 worth of fuel, which covers approximately 225 hours of flight, according to Eclipse Aerospace. In […]

The shared ownership market got a new entry recently when Atlanta (PDK) based Ascension Air launched its Cirrus shared ownership service. Ascension Air offers eighth shares in new Cirrus SR22s at remarkably competitive rates. According to Ascension Air, pilots can get into a new airplane for around $10,000 down and a flat monthly fee of […]

JetNet users will now have access to Aircraft Cost Calculator (ACC) software, an advanced data program built to clarify the financial costs involved with aircraft ownership, at a discounted rate, the two companies recently announced.**** The ACC program allows users to access and compare data for close to 200 of the most popular business aircraft […]

Flexjet’s fractional jet ownership program recently announced it will become the launch customer for the Bombardier Learjet 85 currently under development. The initial order is for seven airplanes. “Flexjet is thrilled to offer its owners the first opportunity to experience private aviation at its very best aboard the all-new Learjet 85 aircraft,” Fred Reid, Flexjet’s […]

In April 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency released an announcement that it was proposing to gather data to determine if leaded avgas is an environmental health hazard. The announcement in the form of an advanced notice of proposed rule making (ANPRM) has created reactions that range from a willingness to move forward in the search […]

(January 2011) — The envelope had been forwarded twice by the time it got to me. I tore open the top seal and pulled out a worn 8½- by 11-inch color brochure, its binding coming apart, with a cryptic note paper-clipped to its top edge, asking for the brochure to be forwarded on to me. […]