The questions people actually ask
Written by a working pilot, for the person who has just started wondering whether any of this is possible.
Am I ready to own an airplane?
Should I buy an airplane?
Do I need a pilot certificate to buy an airplane?
Can I buy an airplane without a pilot certificate?
Aircraft insurance, and what the underwriter is really asking
Will they insure me for the airplane I want to buy?
First-time buyer questions, answered straight
What do I need to know before buying my first airplane?
Working with a broker, and how to tell a good one
Do I need an aircraft broker?
Sales and use tax on an aircraft purchase
Do I have to pay sales tax when I buy an airplane?
What does an airplane actually cost?
How much does it cost to buy and own an airplane?
What MOSAIC changes if you’re buying
Can I buy and fly an airplane without a medical certificate?
Airworthiness directives, and the ones that change what an airplane is worth
What is an AD and can it bankrupt me?
Buying an airplane with a partner
Is an airplane partnership a good idea?
Does a leaseback actually pay?
Should I put my airplane on leaseback with a flight school?
The annual inspection, and why the number varies so much
How much does an annual inspection cost?
Trading up: what actually changes
Should I move up to a bigger, faster airplane?
What is my airplane actually worth?
How do I value my airplane?
Dry leasing, wet leasing, and the line you must not cross
Can I lease my airplane to someone, or lease one while mine is down?
Hangar or tie-down: what the difference actually costs
Do I need a hangar for my airplane?
Fuel, oil and the reserves nobody funds
What are the real hourly costs of flying my own airplane?
Engine overhaul: what it costs and what the options mean
How much does an aircraft engine overhaul cost?
Avionics upgrades: what is worth doing
Should I upgrade the panel in my airplane?
Selling your airplane
How do I sell my airplane?
Flying clubs: the middle ground most people skip
Is a flying club cheaper than owning?
Certificates and ratings, explained without the jargon
What certificate do I need to fly my own airplane?
What flight training actually costs
How much does it cost to get a pilot certificate?
Medical certificates and BasicMed, in plain terms
Do I need a medical certificate to fly my own airplane?
Choosing a flight school, and the questions that reveal one
How do I pick a good flight school?
The instrument rating, and why owners get the most from it
Is the instrument rating worth it?
High-performance and complex endorsements
What is a high-performance or complex endorsement?
The tailwheel endorsement
How hard is it to learn to fly a taildragger?
The multi-engine rating
Should I get a multi-engine rating and buy a twin?
Moving to turbine
What is involved in stepping up to a turboprop?
MOSAIC, explained
What is the FAA MOSAIC rule?