Exact Steps to Buying Your First Airplane

Buying an airplane can be confusing and there are a lot of steps involved. In this video I want to try and simplify the process a bit and show the major steps involved in purchasing your first aircraft.

[paulbrunner]

Buying an airplane was DEFINITELY one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The joy & freedom is priceless. YOU can make it happen.

[aroopghosh]

Just made the final payment for my loaded Diamond DA 42-6 . Look forward to flying her all over India. No more asking and renting.

[low_lead]

Fantastic summary. Buying your first plane is daunting so breaking it into steps is key. Don't forget to quote your insurance and any endorsements you need to satisfy insurance requirements. This is especially true for some tail draggers where low time pilots can be exceedingly expensive to insure. I always say flying requires situational awareness but ownership requires financial situational awareness. But dang that moment you first open your hangar door never gets old.

[mtkoslowski]

The first step in the airplane purchasing algorithm is:

“Have an excess of disposable income. A very, very large excess.”

[TheBarzook]

One thing I would add the comparison file is to get the 100% price. What I mean by that is let's say what you want is an IFR capable plane and you want something like a 430 with a good autopilot, if you find a plane that doesn't have that, add the cost of that modification to the asked price. This way when you compare the price of all planes, it will almost be like apple to apple. Same goes for engine time. If one plane has 1800/2000, add the reserve cost to the price of that engine. Say for an IO 360 about 20$/h, you would add 1800x20 =36k. This way the plane that's more expensive but lower time engine might look like a better deal. Avionics and engine are the main ones, but you can do the same for interior and paint using a percentage. Basically the question were asking ourselves is how much would it cost to bring this plane to an almost like new state (plus some more personal targets like IFR, ADSB, gami injectors, engine monitor, etc)

[davidholubetz]

If only I had seen your video a year ago I could have saved myself all the time figuring out all this stuff piecemeal ! Nice job - very helpful. Thanks.

[dhubbard]

Huge thank you! I am jumping into the deep-end of the pool. I am a low pilot on the third go around in ground school. I am actually taking a step further than GS and have created my own weekly cricriculum and purchase a high-end sim system. I am committed this time! I already bought then A20s (and the sim) and am buying a plane in the 2023. I have a budget of 200k
I am leaning hard towards a twin prop complex because ultimately that is what I want. Your posting gave me a new approach to my purchase. Great tips for those of us fortunate enough to have our own plane! Your video was soo! insightive. Thank you for posting! Seriously thank you...

[gtm]

Excellent information. Love that you suggested a spreadsheet. Im a big visual person so that would be a great help for me which I didn't think about doing. Thanks for always finding great topics and epic content!

[brucebolla]

Well done! I have owned my airplane for twenty years. The decision making process you are using is on target.

[ljppp]

Thank you for the great video! Another option in addition to owning, club, and renting is going into a partnership. Definitely cheaper than owning, and often better plane care as owners are flying. Just a thought.

[danielneuenschwander]

Charlie: A similar colloquialism that applies to racing; How do make a small fortune in racing? Start with a large one! Your approach to aircraft ownership is straight forward and to the point: If you love flying enough, you'll allocate the funds to keep doing it!

And as for "dab smack", you nailed them all in one "swell foop!" Misspelling intended! Keep up the great and informative work Charlie!

[samsonlal]

Great information thanks I enjoy all the information.
I have a question? Can you give information about landing changes for arriving Airports , my dream is to obtain my PPL this year .

[Kujjiman]

Instructions unclear? My wife still said no...

[PickJesus]

❤ Thanks Charlie! 😅 "You were smack-dab in dab-smack"

[trumote]

Great video, really clear and concise. What camera are you using? You seem like you own a cinematography business.

[chadpharris]

Great video! Thanks for the breakdown. I'm new to the idea of purchasing an airplane and I'm running into issues with determining if the avionics are good or not. There seems to be such a huge variety and people typically put down make and models and I have no idea if that's good or not. It gets to be very confusing and a little overwhelming to be honest. I understand that a seasoned pilot or someone that's been around it a little bit might automatically know if it's good or not but I'm new and looking to buy to help get my PPL and other certs. Do you have any advice for a "standard package" of avionics and maybe upgrades? I have learned that additional avionics are needed for IFR flying. Much thanks and love the channel!

[ronccarrothers]

I've learned a great deal from your video's including how to purchase an aircraft. I am now looking to put an action camera into my cockpit and wondered which one you would recommend?

[Miguel]

I just moved to Phoenix last month and plan on starting my journey here. Now I’m just looking for a CFI so I can start around July. Wish me luck

[Mauriceandcarolyn]

Wow this is some great information. Thank you for sharing. i wanted to ask, the countryside area with the runway and planes off to the side, where is this? Is this like a getaway area where you bring tents and enjoy and then fly out the next day or so?

[RPTINTING]

Love your content bro! Do you do your own editing?