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to look for, what to avoid, and what to expect regarding maintenance and parts availability will be invaluable.
Third, get out into the jungle of the Oshkosh flight line. Many popular classic aircraft types receive preferential parking and often arrive en masse. If you approach the owners, most are happy to answer questions and offer a look inside their aircraft. Pro tip: As long as you remain polite, humble, and curious, they will gladly spend time with you. Many of these owners consider themselves guardians of their classic aircraft type and want to keep posers and egomaniacs far away from their babies.
Next, find out – either through the type club or from some of the owners on site – what’s required to get trained and who the best instructors are for your check-out. Don’t cut corners here. The right instructor will help build confidence and skills while showing you the aircraft’s bad habits and how it might try to kill you. Learning to feel at home in your new classic might take some time. Spend some time in ground school, even if it’s of your own design. Learn the systems inside and out, and don’t fly solo until you have attained a fair amount of instruction in various flight regimes, wind conditions, and airports.
Next, go find your insurance broker. Don’t worry; he’s out on the Oshkosh grounds somewhere, probably drooling over the new Piper M700 Fury. Find out what it will take to get insured and any training and recurrency requirements.
After you’ve walked 20,000 steps around Wittman Field completing this homework, it’s plausible that you are more committed than ever to buy the object of your desire. After being married to an aircraft salesman for 30 years, I’d be remiss if I didn’t pass along this nugget: Don’t fall in love with the aircraft; fall in love with the right deal. The next so-called “deal of the century” is always around the corner. Yes, I know, that’s sometimes easier said than done.
Before you hear yourself say: “Wow, look at that gorgeous, polished chrome and wooden prop! I can’t live without it!” dig a little deeper. You might then ask, “Hmm, it says no damage history, but why does the wing skin have a wrinkle? Is the AD compliance list really up to date? Why was it out of annual for 10 years until now? Find a maintenance pro who knows this aircraft type (maybe from your new friends at the type club?) who can conduct a thorough pre-buy inspection.
Those who have gone before you can teach you a lot. Oshkosh is a wonderful place to start, continue, or end your search for your dream bird because everything is there – the aircraft, the experts on the type, the type clubs, and, of course, the “for sale” signs hanging from the props.
Happy hunting!
Preferred
https://jet-shades.com
Arizona Type
https://arizonatyperatings.com
Dianne White is a 35-year aviation industry veteran and the past editor-in-chief of Twin & Turbine Magazine. She is the former executive director of the Malibu/M-Class Owners & Pilots Association (now PMOPA) and has worked with numerous general aviation companies throughout her career as a consultant and executive. She is an active instrument & multi-engine-rated pilot and owns several aircraft. You can reach her at editor@diannewhite.com.
July 2024 / TWIN & TURBINE • 5