"Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATsuddenlink.net wrote in message
...
Dan Luke wrote:
"Jim Logajan" wrote:

It does seem that there's an awful lot of used airplanes on the
market now. Anybody know how to find out statistics on this?

I have no answer for size of used market, but this web site has
links to trends in the size of new aircraft market:

http://www.gama.aero/home.php

It says shipments of new piston aircraft are down nearly 8%. Somewat
ominous in light of the fact that the last time the stock markets
were this hot, airplanes were selling like hotcakes.

Well that's just the first quarter and who the hell buys an airplane in
winter. But more to point I know a lot of folks that bot fly and could
plop down half a million for a new plane. The funny thing is they never
do. They buy 5 or 6 year old Barons or Bonanzas.

How many of those have less than 300 hours (50 / year)? If that's all you
fly, a used plane is a good deal.

My small home airport is the home of 7 jets ranging from Citation 3s to a
big ass Falcon. Every other hanger has a Beechcraft in it. But there is
not a single piston aircraft on the field that was built in this century.
Maybe this is because folks around here are just smarter.

When I bought my B36, it was nine years old and had 1660 hours on it. In the
six and a half years I had it, I put 2012 hours on it.

The only time a piston plane really looses value is when it goes from 0
time to 100 hours. After that they hold their value pretty well.

Which is why buying a factory demonstrator (115 hours) is soooooo sweet.


--
Matt Barrow
Performace Homes, LLC.
Cheyenne, WY