On 5-Aug-2005, wrote:

If so, however, how come they're so *hard* to find? I don't see any
listed in trade-a-plane or on any aircraft commerce sites like
mooneymart or whatnot.


Your assessment of the practicalities of airplane partnerships is exactly
correct, and for that reason they are very popular. However, it makes
little sense to advertise partnerships (BTW, the official FAA term is
"co-ownership") in national media. You need to be looking locally.

There are basically 4 ways to join a partnership, as follows:

-- You can purchase a "share" from a member of an existing partnership.

-- You can "buy into" an airplane currently owned by an individual.

-- You can form a partnership with one or more like-minded pilots and then
collectively shop for an airplane.

-- You can purchase an airplane by yourself and then seek partners to "buy
in".

Depending upon your circumstances, chances are one of these methods will
present itself if you do a little work. Obviously, if you are located in a
larger metro area your chances are better than if you hail from Zap, ND.

It has been my experience (several different partnerships on 3 different
airplanes) that partnerships generally form or change hands through
word-of-mouth. So let everybody you know, particularly pilots, A&Ps, CFIs,
etc., that you are looking. Look for local airplanes for sale, with the
idea that the owner may consider selling half rather than the whole thing.
See an airplane you like locally? Find the owner through the N-number
database
(http://www.landings.com/evird.acgi$pass*74902977!_h-www.landings.com/_landings/pages/search/search_nnr.html)
and contact him/her. He/she may be willing to consider a partnership, or
may know of a similar make/model with an available share for sale.

Finally, there is no reason why you can't let the good people that frequent
this NG help. But you are going to have to tell us your location and the
type of airplane you are looking for. Good luck!

--
-Elliott Drucker