Which airplane is right for you?

Choosing your Airplane

So it's time to get serious about your dream of aircraft ownership. Where do you begin?

Choosing the right used airplanet for your mission is a critical step that requires evaluation in several different areas.

 1. Consider the "90% rule".

What type of equipment will you need for 90% of your travel? If you'll only occasionally need a 5th seat, consider renting for the few times you'll actually fly 4 passengers. You'll potentially save $100,000.00 - that's quite a few rental hours! Are your trips primarily regional trips? A few knots of additional speed will go unnoticed while those same knots could be welcome on long cross country trips. What will your average trip lenth look like?

Again, there are some benefits to purchasing a newer used aircraft because interest rates are lower, less money is required for a down payment and amortizations are longer. The result is a lower payment, and aircraft finance companies approve candidates mainly on cash flow rather than assets owned. In many cases, the lower the payment, the easier it is to qualify regardless of the total amount borrowed. 

This is the time to take a hard look at your flying skills. Choose an aircraft that you'll be comfortable with, one that matches your skill level. You can learn about the flight characteristics of different aircraft along with their safety records at AOPA. (The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association).  Also keep in mind weight limitations for each aircraft.