Should a New Pilot Hire Aircraft or Buy his Own?
Advantages and Pitfalls of Airplane Ownership for the Novice Flyer.
Having learned to fly, many people consider buying their own plane. But aircraft ownership is not that straightforward for those new to aviation, and there are many factors that need to be considered.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Hiring.
When an aircraft, is hired, all the administration work is done for the pilot. The school or club takes care of insurance, maintenance, regular checks etc.
Flying a school or club aircraft also means that someone will be around to give the novice pilot advice about the weather and other relevant factors, since the organisation will want to make sure their airplane is in safe hands. Flying hired aircraft also gives the new pilot a chance to try different planes and find out which types he or she prefers without spending a great deal of money.
However, hiring can be limiting in some respects. The pilot cannot necessarily get hold an aircraft when he wants one, and may not be able to take it away for an extended period. This sort of thing causes many people to consider the advantages of buying.
Owning one’s Own Aircraft.
If the plane belongs to the pilot, it is available when he wants it. He can also buy the type of aircraft he wants, and perhaps fit it out internally the way he prefers. If he does a lot of flying, he may also save money on what he would pay for hire charges.
However, plane ownership needs to be looked at very carefully. There are a lot of hidden costs involved – insurance, hangarage (only metal planes can live outside), maintenance etc. Unless one flies a great deal, it if often the more expensive option. And, like buying a second-hand car, a used plane needs to first be looked at carefully by an expert.
Also, the pilot needs to make sure he buys the ‘right’ plane for him. As a novice, does he know what sort of flying he prefers – touring, operating from grass strips, aerobatics etc? Different types of aircraft are good for different types of flying, and perhaps the new pilot would be better to gain experience before making an expensive mistake.
Group-Owned Aircraft – the Ideal Solution?
Many aircraft are owned by a group of pilots, and this may be the ideal solution. There is usually an initial outlay to buy into the group, then a monthly charge to cover maintenance and other ongoing costs, then an hourly rate for flying.
Part ownership means costs are lower, and the admin work is shared. It gives a new pilot a chance to gain experience, and there is also a good social side in many groups . It may be a solution even if only for the short term – and selling a share at a later date is usually not too difficult.
However, the pilot should look into any group carefully, since some are organised better than others. He should ask questions of group members, find out how the particular group does things, and make sure the type of plane is one that he likes and will enjoy flying.
Whatever he decides, he should make sure that after having worked hard to gain a licence, he can then go out and enjoy flying!
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