Welcome to 2021! January has brought us a new year with new possibilities. For some, you might be considering purchasing an airplane. Did you know owning your own airplane is more affordable than you might think?
If you’re considering owning your own airplane, but you’re concerned about the cost, consider these options:
- Co-ownership. Through co-ownership, your costs are greatly reduced because they are evenly split between the group of owners.
- Consider a lease back. Many have purchased their own airplane and then leased it back to flight schools or charter companies.
- Don’t buy new, but a well-maintained and used airplane. Consider purchasing an airplane from a flight school. American Flyers is updating our fleet with new Piper 100i’s and as a result, will be selling some of our Cessna 172’s.
- Tax benefits. From the initial purchase to its’ everyday use, there are many tax benefits associated with owning your own airplane. For more information, I would recommend contacting a professional tax consultant.
- Time. It’s not just the cost of the airplane, for many people, their time is money. When you need to be somewhere, the last place you want to be is at an airport waiting in long security lines only to be left sitting at your gate, with your fingers crossed, hoping that your flight is not delayed. Not to mention, most airports are not next door to your final destination. After a commercial flight, you could still have a long commute in a car, with traffic, this could add additional unwanted time to your trip.
When you own or have access to an airplane, you have the ability to fly into smaller general aviation airports that can cut your total travel time in half. In this case, you will hear from past graduates who have utilized aircraft ownership to grow their businesses and enhance their personal lives. One other instant benefit to aircraft ownership is the comradery that you’ll find with other owners. If you think pilots like to talk, find an aircraft owner! They’ll share countless stories and advice that will last a lifetime.
Aircraft owners are everywhere. If you don’t believe me, head to AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There, you’ll find more than 10,000 airplanes owned by aviation enthusiasts just like you. When you’re there you will see taildraggers, vintage warbirds, home builds, 172’s, Piper Cubs, and thousands of other interesting and exotic airplanes. You’ll also see their owners, who are just as diverse as their planes, camped out next to their prized possession. During the day, when they’re not out looking at other airplanes, you’ll find them perched in a chair ready to talk about theirs.
I hope you enjoy this issue of the American Flyers Pilot’s Digest. Even if you’re not interested in purchasing an airplane, you’ll love getting to know some of our past graduates. I hope 2021 is a great year for our readers.
Andrew F. Henley
Vice President – American Flyers
