"lserkumian" wrote in message
ups.com...
Didn't mean to cause such a rukus over a simple question - I have the
means and fortitude, just asked for a little assistance. Guess my best
bet is, as we are living in the US for the next 3 years in Harrisburg,
is to find a someone locally who is willing to give "good" advice.


Many people find that their instructors and FBO owners give good advice.

The instructor should be consulted, and if the guy selling the plane wants
to talk to him about you this is a good thing. It shows that the seller is
concerned about your skills and ability to fly the level of plane you are
looking at.

However, instructors and FBO owners are often getting referral fees and
commissions from the seller to push their products, so you have to know that
their advice is possibly tainted. Especially discount anything you hear from
someone selling you a Cessna at a Cessna Pilot Center. I have overhead
these guys and they seriously abuse their customers' misplaced respect to
sell new planes.

So, here is some good advice not so close to PA.

http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/cont...irst_bird.html

Since I am a well known busybody, I will grace you with some more confusion.

If you are going back to the UK in a few years, will you take the plane with
you, or sell it.

If you sell a less than 3 year old plane, and did not take tax advantages,
you can plan on a pretty big hit. At least 10% and often over 20%
depreciation. Much like a new car.

So, if you are not going to take it back, and your man is a low time pilot,
then I would recommend you buy a plane that is nearly new, and perhaps still
on warranty. This plan saves you lots of money, but still gives the same
level of joy.

If you are going to take the plane back with you, then I would buy him a
Diamond. These planes are by far the most popular new planes in Europe.
www.diamondair.com

If you plan to sell it, then he is likely ready for a Cessna 172 or 182,
Piper Archer or 6x, Tiger, Diamond Eclipse or Star.

The Piper 6x is similar to the Saratoga, but it has fixed gear and is thus
easier to insure. Which brings us to your other problem.

Your other problem will be insurance. If you are being asked to pay north of
2% hull value or even being refused coverage you might want to reconsider
your choice of plane.

So, may I suggest the following course of action:

Talk to his instructor for any hints of what he might want to fly and what
he is ready to fly. It would not be unusual for an instructor to ask his
student what kind of flying he plans to do when he gets his ticket, and what
planes he would want to do it in. Then, find an airplane sales company that
is local, and has an appropriate plane in inventory.

Tell them that if they will meet you at an airport with the plane, that you
will be prepared to sign a contract and place a deposit if your husband
wants it for his birthday. They will likely be happy to give a demostration
to you since you are obviously very serious. Make sure they get an insurance
quote for you as well.

If the plane is right, congratulations. If not, you haven't bought it, and
he may say something like: "Well, I kind of wanted a Tiger Moth." Okay,
thank the plane seller for his time, and start looking for a Tiger Moth.