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TESTIMONIALS

"My aircraft has been sold, thanks to you!! What a great service. The best qualified buyers I had came from your ad, and all three made good offers. Thanks again! I am already using your service to look for another aircraft to buy. My neighbor at the airport also sold a lot of his Stearman parts via Barnstormers! Thanks"Mike Busch, ASI, Cirrus Design - Duluth, Minnesota

"Over 29,000 people viewed my ad in the middle of winter. The RV8 sold today after just three weeks on the market and only advertised on Barnstormers. Thanks. This is the 'hapnin' place." - Jim Richmond - Yakima, Washington

"Baroness, thank you for building a truly working site. I had put my plane in your classifieds a few years ago, and did get a response but no sale. Last week I decided to try again. As I completed the information, I read the scrolling testimonial below "I sold my Sonerai in two minutes", thinking that I would not be so lucky....... Seven minutes later, the phone began to ring with 6 calls, then 3 emails. The first of which purchased my Phantom. You have created an aircraft site that really works. Please give me the address to send a donation." - Jim Argo - Americus, Georgia

Before You Buy A Sport Plane

The new category opens the door for new and old pilots alike. New pilots can take to the sky as a pilot in fewer hours and at a lower cost. In fact, when my kids were getting their drivers licenses, they were required to log 20 hours behind the wheel of a car, take a written test and a driving test. That is basically the same requirements for the Sport Pilot requirements. If you are already a pilot, you can operate under the sport category as long as the plane meets the category. You don’t have to give anything up, except the doctor’s appointment for your medical.

Another nice thing about the sport category is that you can fly a brand new aircraft that operates at a lower cost than most of the 30 year old aircraft that are out there on the flight line. Who doesn’t like flying a new aircraft!

Is it a real aircraft? The first assumption was the sport category was nothing more than ultra lights. That’s the furthest from the truth. Sure there may be a few converted ultra lights, but the majority of the sport industry aircraft are brand new aircraft that provide quality and performance at a very attractive price.

Additionally, whatever any one tries to tell you, Cessna selling the Sky Catcher has given the sport category creditability. Not that the other models were not “real” to begin with, but Cessna gave the market a reality boost.

Which one do I buy? There are a lot of different opinions about buying a sport plane. Before you buy do the research. It might not seem like it, but buying a sport plane is different than buying a Cessna, Beech or Piper. The big names have an established history and track record. It doesn’t matter how many times the manufacturer has been sold or went bankrupt, it still has market recognition. The sport plane industry has not gotten to that same level yet, except for Cessna or maybe the new Cirrus LSA. Most manufacturers are over seas and most importers are passionate about their product. But “passion” does not guarantee support for the plane. Do the research, ask questions and read reviews. The extra due diligence will save you money and maybe your life.

Shop around on Barnstormers.com for what’s available. It doesn’t matter which brand of sport plane you are considering buying, if you follow a few basic guidelines you can enjoy the plane for many years.

There are hundreds of models available so the final decision will come down to your personal preferences based on looks, comfort, flying and cost. Remember a few basic things, don’t buy the first one you see and don’t buy without flying. It also important to not assume cheaper is the better deal. Makes sure you compare an “apples’ to apples” aircraft. Most sport planes are costing anywhere from $75,000 to $125,000. At those prices a few thousand dollars will not make a big difference in your monthly payment or you’re loss of interest income if you pay cash. Low sales prices might indicate a small market share and lack of factory support. That is definitely not what you want.

Basic questions before buying a Sport Plane

1. Is there a strong dealer and service center network. One thing you would hate to do is to spend your hard earned money for a plane that becomes an orphan on the flight line.

2. Will your local mechanic and flight instructor be able to train you and maintain the aircraft? Sure, it may be the cheapest plane to buy, but if you can’t get the parts or the maintenance is too difficult, it doesn’t matter how much money you saved.

3. Can you buy insurance? Most sport plans are insurable by at least one or two different insurance underwriters. But, if the plane is new in the country without parts support or training, you might not get insurance. If it is an amphibian or float plane, get your quote first, IF you can even get coverage. Insurance is not required in all the states, so it is not always an issue, but if you have to borrow money, you’ll need insurance.

4. Are there more than two aircraft flying? Don’t rely just on the factory demo planes. Look for a company that has a number of planes in the flying public’s hands.

5. Check the accident records at the FAA. If the prototypes and demo panes have all been damaged, maybe there is something wrong with the design.

6. Talk to owners if possible. The best way to find out about a plane is from and owner. You want real world advice.

7. And last, FLY THE PLANE! Make sure you fit and it feels right. It always amazes me how many people buy a plane and do not make the test flights. They do not all fly the same, even if they are the same model. Each aircraft has its own little quirks and as a buyer you need to know that.

By Contributing Editor: Scott "Sky" Smith.
Sky Smith Insurance Agency .

TODAY'S FEATURED AEROBATIC

PITTS S-2B $125,000 AVAILABLE Mint condition late model S-2B. Low time 270 hour airframe with 60 hours on NEW Lycoming AEIO-540 (crank A.D.) Hooker, Dent-Air Sight, Hartzell Claw, GPS, TXP/C. Contact Randy Ott - located Weirsdale, FL Telephone: 352-821-0211

TODAY'S FEATURED ANTIQUE-CLASSIC

BOEING STEARMAN • $129,000 • FOR SALE • Stearman A75N1/N2S-4, s/n 75-3603/Navy 37856, TT 3260, SMOH/ SPOH 100, Restored 2004 with new Big Sky wings and center section, fresh overhaul Jacobs R-755-B2 (275 hp) with a Hamilton Standard CS 2B20, Jasco 12V50 amp. Airwolf oilfilter, redline, King Nav, Trans w/mode C, intercom, GPS Contact Darin Hart - located Sulphur Springs, TX Telephone: 903-438-9922

TODAY'S FEATURED BIPLANE

NAVY N3N-3 • $99,500 • FOR SALE • Gorgeous! 11 yr. rest., 300 Lyc. 800 SMOH, 1100 SN, '96 Ceconite, hangared, OH'd 2B-20, new USMC fuse paint, BT whls, most new or OH'd FWB, AT-10 cowl, cust. w/shlds, 10/07 annual, consider part trade for LSA or ELSA. Contact David Tunno - located Ventura, CA Telephone: 805 650-2709

TODAY'S FEATURED CESSNA

CESSNA 172C • $33,500 AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SALE 1961 fast back 172 Alt, Vac pump, oil filter, Mill. Cyl, dual KX155 w G/S, modern gyros, 6 pack panel w/Nulites panel lighting, digital EGT/CHT, 4 pl intercom, single piece w/s, vert card compass, shoulder harness, P & I in 2002, 6600tt 1000 SMOH. Contact Dean Courtney - Riverside, AL Telephone: 205-405-0701

TODAY'S FEATURED EXPERIMENTAL

IFR RV-6A • $83,000 FOR SALE 1999, 870 hours, O-320-D1A, Hartzell CS prop, Garmin 430 linked to autopilot with altitude preselect. Click on Display Specs Page for complete equipment list. Ready for paint. Will have professionally painted if desired. Contact Scott Walker located Hamilton, OH Telephone: 513-405-6008

TODAY'S FEATURED LIGHT-SPORT

1946 LUSCOMBE 8A LSA • $22,300 • FOR SALE! • 3140.45 TTAF 333.58 SMOH A-65 cont. New: slick mags, harness, plugs, all glass, wheel pants. Metal prop., ski strut mod. Two place intercom w/ PTT switches, bracket for handheld, ext. antenna, garmin airgismo mount. Contact William Poole located Fulton, NY Telephone: 315-952-4571

TODAY'S FEATURED PIPER

1946 PA-12-150 • $59,500 • FOR SALE OR TRADE • 150hp 0-320 TTAF 3545 TR49 Full Elec system, Full Gyro's, Cleveland brakes, Scott T-wheel, PA-18 Tail, Narco MK-12D, AT-150 Transponder w/ Encoder, Univair Lifetime Struts, Directional Gyro, All Logs, All AD's complied with, Current Annual. Contact Peter Jarosak located Valparaiso, IN Telephone: 219-405-9725

TODAY'S FEATURED TAILDRAGGER

1946 J-3 ON WHEELS • $59,950 • LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT FOR SALE • Modified J-3 Performs like a PA-18 Very powerful 0235-C1 $69,950 on 1400 Edo/ $59,950. on wheels,145 SMOH. ground up restoration annual 8/08 for details. Contact Frank S. Baker - located East Andover, NH Telephone: 603-735-5217

TODAY'S FEATURED ULTRALIGHT

SACRIFICE! • $8,000 • FOR SALE • MUST SELL. 2 seat ultralight. Lots of xtras, great cond. Over 23K invested. 2 helmets with intercom. Contact James Clarke - located Ramona, CA Telephone: 760-789-4838

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