How a Flight Instructor can help their student pick the best used aircraft

Posted on February 11, 2011 by admin

Are you a fairly new pilot that’s interested in looking to purchase a used aircraft? How do you know where to start and which aircraft is right for you? You could talk to the sales representatives at different aircraft dealers and manufacturers, but how do you know that they aren’t just going to try and sell you on whatever they have, and not what is best for you and your needs?

One good idea is to talk to some experienced pilots. They will be able to give you unbiased opinions and help you pick the right airplane. An experienced CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) can often be a great resource in helping you sort through the current aircraft for sale market. A CFI can often help you find the right type of aircraft for you, help you narrow down your search, and accompany you on test flights so that you don’t put yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

Also, once you have purchased an aircraft for yourself, it is a good idea to have that instructor come with you to bring it home (if necessary) and give you some instruction until you are comfortable in your airplane. Considering most pilots end up purchasing something other than the aircraft that they were trained in, it is critical that they spend at least five to ten hours with an instructor getting comfortable in the airplane by doing maneuvers, approaches, and learning the aircraft’s systems. Make sure you spend time on the ground reading the manual BEFORE getting into the airplane to learn everything you can about it. Doing this will help ease your transition and make you a better pilot. Remember, a good pilot is never done learning!

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Why you should use the compare feature on aircraft for sale websites

Posted on February 10, 2011 by admin

When searching aircraft for sale, things can get confusing quick! You know you want a single engine piston, but there are so many choices out there. Do you buy a used Cessna 172 or a Cirrus SR22? What about a Mooney Ovation or a Piper Arrow? How do you decide which is right for you. Of course, when you have it narrowed down to a couple airplanes, you should check out each one individually and research them extensively. In the meantime, some used aircraft websites contain features to help you find out which airplane is right for you.

One feature that is useful is a ‘compare’ feature found on some used aircraft websites. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can send several aircraft to the compare screen, where you will find basic information about many of the popular aircraft on the market. This can help you quickly view which airplane has the specs and features you are looking for.

This feature is also nice for comparing similar aircraft for sale that you are interested in. Maybe you found three really nice Cirrus SR22s and you want to compare them. After adding them to the compare screen, you can view the details of those aircraft side by side to see which one is the perfect match for you!

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Why choose a six-seat used airplane when you plan on flying only 4 people?

Posted on February 9, 2011 by admin

So you’ve decided to buy a used airplane! Congratulations. Now begins the funny part. What kind are you going to get? Well, that all depends on the type of flying you will typically be doing. Are you a family of four that will be taking couple hour trips to see relatives and go on vacation?

If so, the first thing that comes to mind when looking at aircraft for sale is a four place airplane. This might be a bad idea because of the amount of weight (useful load) that a four place aircraft can carry. Many airplanes that have four seats cannot hold a family of four with full fuel and luggage.

So what does this mean for you used aircraft search? If you will typically be carrying four people plus luggage, you may want to consider a six seat airplane instead. This is not so you can carry two extra people, but because a larger airplane will typically have a higher useful load. Now, you will be able to carry your family of four, the luggage you need for your trip, and enough fuel to get you there!

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Is de-icing and/or anti-icing important in your next used aircraft purchase?

Posted on February 8, 2011 by admin

If you are looking at purchasing a new or used aircraft, there are many factors that you need to consider.

The first decision you will probably make is what type of aircraft you will buy. Once you have narrowed down your aircraft search, you will need to focus on some of the aircraft details. One of these is whether or not you will want to purchase your aircraft with anti icing or deicing equipment. Keep in mind, that an aircraft that is not approved for flight into known ice needs to get out of icing conditions IMMEDIATELY if they are encountered. Also know that just because the aircraft you are looking at has deicing or anti-icing equipment, does not mean that the aircraft is approved for flight into known ice (actually, few light aircraft carry this FAA approval), and will ONLY buy you more time to get out of icing conditions if you have encountered them. All icing conditions can be dangerous to both commercial and general aviation.

When searching aircraft for sale, you will see two different terms used regarding icing conditions: Deicing and Anti-Icing Equipment.

Anti-Icing is turned on before an airplane enters icing conditions. This equipment includes pitot heat, carburetor heat, prop heat, fuel vent head, heated wings, windshield heat, and in some cases, fluid surface deicers.

Deicing is used after an aircraft has ice built up on it. This commonly includes boots and deicing fluid.

Make sure you know the type of mission you will typically be flying along with the conditions. If you are a VFR pilot only pilot in the South, the deicing and anti-icing is probably not necessary for you. However, if you will be flying for business in IMC where icing conditions frequently are encountered, this equipment may be worth the investment in your next used airplane purchase.

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Remember To Include Pictures When Listing Your Aircraft For Sale

Posted on January 26, 2011 by admin

If you have an aircraft, you will want to list it on a classified ad type website for aviation, such as Aircraft for Sale. Start by registering as a seller on the website. When you are ready to list your aircraft for sale, make sure you have all the information you will need (of course, you can always edit it again later if you have more information). Things like aircraft logbooks and maintenance records are important to have handy so you can include information such as the aircraft’s last inspections, any damage history you will need information on, and full equipment lists. One of the key components of an aircraft listing, and what makes aircraft for sale websites so wonderful, is multiple pictures.
Experts suggest taking as many as 20 photos of your aircraft so that you have many to choose from. You will want to select the 12 best photos to submit in your aircraft for sale listing. Make sure you take a few exterior shots, pictures of the panel and avionics, and a few more photos of the interior. If you are selling a small aircraft you will not need as many interior photos, where as a jet or larger aircraft for sale will need quite a few more. You can also take photos of the engine, propeller, tail section, and belly of the aircraft. Make sure if your aircraft has any damage (hangar rash), that you include a photo of it. This shows users you are being up front and honest with them, and that you are not trying to hide anything. It is better to show them in the pictures than have them find it for themselves and be disappointed.
You can always list your aircraft for sale first with only content and add pictures at a later date, but studies show that listings with no photos are often overlooked.

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Why Are Aircraft For Sale Websites SO Valuable?

Posted on January 23, 2011 by admin

Aircraft For Sale websites have become extremely valuable in the past few years. If you can think back to about 20 years ago, the Internet was not around and researching aircraft for sale was difficult. Where did you find a list of aircraft? How did you know if they were good deals? Would you have bought something that someone SOLD you on because you didn’t know any better?
Thankfully, those worries are a thing of the past. Aircraft For Sale websites provide buyers with a wealth of information at the click of a mouse. Want to search for Cessna 172s built in the 1980′s? Looking for that airplane to have less than 2,000 hours? Is your price range between $60,000 and $80,000? No problem! Simply enter that search criteria into a website like Aircraft For Sale, and you will instantly see the results of aircrafts that meet your criteria. From here, you can save aircraft to review later, print out the brochure to take with you, or email the brochure to your wife (or husband) to make sure she (he) approves ;-) .
What if you don’t know what you are looking for? What if you know that your trips generally are about 200 nm in Florida, you would like to cruise at 100 kts or more, and you will only be flying in good to fair weather? Features like Buyers Assistance programs and a great support team can help you find the aircraft that will suit your mission. They can quickly suggest a variety of different aircraft that meet your requirements and your budget. Now, try getting that out of a newspaper publication!

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Which Aircraft For Sale Website Is Best For You?

Posted on January 8, 2011 by admin

So you have decided to sell your used aircraft. After talking to a few others, you find out that you must list your aircraft on a classified ad website to get the most exposure. Well, how do you choose which aircraft for sale website is best? Of course, you want to make sure you will get leads, but you won’t know that until after you’ve listed your aircraft.
One way to quickly see the top aircraft for sale websites online is to go to your search engine (Google, Bing, Yahoo) and type in the following keywords: Aircraft For Sale; Used Aircraft; Used Airplanes. The websites that come up on the first page are going to be the websites that get the most traffic.
Make sure you check out the websites and look at their features. Navigate through the pages and see that they are easy to use. As a seller, you want to make sure that it’s easy to use for the buyer. Look at a few listings and see what features they offer. Can you save the listing? Do they allow you to email that listing to others and print out a brochure of the aircraft to view later? Another great feature that some aircraft for sale sites have is called a “Wantlist.” This feature enables buyers to enter the criteria of an aircraft they want, and when any aircraft meet their criteria are listed, they user will be notified via e-mail of the new listing. You will also want to make sure the website allows you to edit the aircraft on your own so you don’t have to call a company to do it for you.
If you consider selling your aircraft on the Flying Online network, your aircraft will be listed for sale on four websites for the price and simplicity of one. Just go to Flying Online, register as a seller, and when you load your aircraft for sale, it will automatically get listed on Flying Online, Used Airplanes, Used Aircraft, and Aircraft For Sale. Those sites also offer all of the features listed above!

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What To Include In Your Classified-Ad When Listing Your Aircraft For Sale

Posted on January 6, 2011 by admin

When you list your aircraft for sale on the Flying Online network, you will want to include all the available information you have.
1. Price- studies show that not listing a price can get your listing overlooked, so make sure to price your aircraft and price it competitively. Search other aircrafts that are similar to yours and see what they are listed for. To get your aircraft sold fast, try listing it slightly lower than the competition.
2. Pictures- aim for 10-12 good quality pictures of your aircraft for sale. Make sure your aircraft is clean and detailed before taking pictures. Take pictures of the exterior on all sides, the engine, the interior, and the panel.
3. Documents: If you have a scanner, be sure to upload documents that are important. Pertinent pages from the engine and maintenance logs are great sources of information that buyers will want to view. If you can include them in your listing, buyers will spend more time looking at your aircraft.
4. Information about the aircraft. The more information you can include about your aircraft for sale, the more time buyers will spend looking at it which means they are more likely to contact you. Put all the avionics, options, and features your aircraft has. Describe the exterior and interior, and when they were last redone. Make sure to list the last maintenance checks and when upcoming inspections are due.
5. All your contact information. Be ready to answer the phone and emails when your aircraft for sale is listed! Be sure to check your emails daily when you are selling your used aircraft.

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Help Potential Buyers Find Your Aircraft For Sale

Posted on January 3, 2011 by admin

After you have listed your aircraft for sale online, you can use the resources from the Flying Online network to get the news out about your aircraft. Use these tips to get the word out.
1. Print out the PDF brochure on your listing and post it at local airports. Most airports have a bulletin board in the pilots lounge that has many aircraft listings. Bring a couple copies with you in case you meet someone who may be interested. The brochure is a great looking, professional sales tool that comes free with your subscription to the Flying Online network.
2. Put a sign or banner on your airplane if it’s not in a hangar. Make sure to include all your contact information!
3. Email your aircraft for sale listing to everyone you know! If you email your aircraft using the “Email Brochure” feature, all your friends and family will receive the brochure that they can browse and maybe suggest someone they know who is in the market.
4. Social Media is the newest way to market your aircraft for sale. The Flying Online network has many social media outlets and would be happy to feature your aircraft for you. Simply e-mail Laura@Flying.com and ask her to help you. She’d be happy to! If you have your own social media account (Facebook, Twitter, etc), you can “Share” your aircraft on your site. Ask your online friends if they know anyone in the market for an aircraft for sale like yours.
5. List your aircraft for sale on multiple websites. When you join the Flying Online network, your aircraft will be listed on Flying.com, AircraftForSale.com, UsedAirplanes.com, and UsedAircraft.com. Now that’s a lot of exposure!

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