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Just like many things in life, success often comes down to who you know, not what you know. For me, this adage unlocked the door to owning my very own airplane.
I had been window shopping various online airplane classified ads for many years, as one does, while I attempted to pad my savings account with sufficient funds to purchase an airplane I could call my own. As my nest egg grew, so did the prices of used airplanes. As the COVID pandemic settled in, the price of used airplanes soared to doubled and even tripled in value. My hopes of airplane ownership began to dwindle and my dreams were relegated to a dwindling pool of Tri-Pacers, Aerona Champs, and the like. While the seat-of-pants, stick-n-rudder flying has its charm, I craved something a little more practical for weekend getaways with my growing family. I had four-seat aspirations on a 2-seat budget.
Not only had airplane prices gone up, but getting a rental had become exponentially more difficult. The schedule was almost always completely booked and increased restrictions made renting practically useless. Then fate intervened. The very day I had earned my Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate, Julie, the FBO dispatcher, asked me why I pursued it. I shared my dream of teaching my kids to fly one day and how a CFI ticket might also cut insurance costs if I ever bought an airplane. Lamenting my slim chances, I was floored when Julie casually mentioned her husband, Joe, was selling his airplane. Details were scarce, but my curiosity was piqued—though I braced for a price tag far beyond my reach.
A few days later as I was loitering at the FBO desk, Julie updated me: Joe’s Cessna 172 was priced at $25,000. I slammed my fist on the counter and blurted, “Sold!” I assumed it likely wasn’t airworthy but if it was anywhere near flying condition, it was probably worth it. She put me in direct contact with her husband, Joe, an accomplished mechanic. I learned the airplane was the very first model year Cessna 172 from 1956 and was purchased a few months earlier and flown from Georgia to Ohio. He’d begun a meticulous overhaul: new piston rings, honed cylinders, reamed valve guides, polished valves, a rebuilt nose gear shock, fresh engine mount bushings, and more. The plane was largely original, save for an ADS-B Out transponder, and sported a sharp paint job despite minor hail dings.
The airplane was the very first model year Cessna 172 and had undergone extensive repairs.
A few days later I popped over to take a look. My very first image of the machine was back on its tail held down by a case of oil. The front was stripped naked and the nose-gear removed. Various tools and parts were strewn around. I was pleased by the excellent paint job and only slightly concerned with the bit of hail damage on the wings and empennage. Joe agreed to deliver the airplane fully functional with a fresh annual and I agreed to pay his asking price. He encouraged me to have my mechanic perform a thorough pre-buy and even flew the plane to my home airport for the inspection.
My mechanic had a short list of minor issues to consider, but nothing to keep me grounded. I was pleased with his findings and did the deal before I ever took the pilot’s seat. By that time winter had set in and a week or two had passed before I was able to strap in and the thrill of ownership hit hard.
The Cessna has already proven its worth beyond my wildest dreams. My oldest kid, eager to learn, has taken to the skies with me as his instructor, logging hours in the same plane I once thought unattainable. It’s become the perfect trainer, steady and forgiving, turning our family flights into lessons for the next generation of pilots.
I’m still stunned I was able to buy an airworthy and maintained Cessna 172 for such a reasonable price. I’ve convinced myself that the aviation community is extraordinarily self-preserving, caring of its members and I have quite poignantly learned the value of hangar flying.
I was dumbfounded that I was able to buy an airworthy and maintained Cessna 172 for such a reasonable price.
- The straight tale of buying my first airplane - August 21, 2023
- AvGeek is the worst buzzword ever and is damaging aviation - April 22, 2014
“Not only had airplane prices gone up, but getting a rental had become exponentially more difficult. The schedule was almost always completely booked and increased restrictions made renting practically useless.”
Those are what drove my wife to buy a 172. She has been flying the wings off of it. I enjoy watching a woman who has spent her life doing for others have time and finances to do something for herself.
The market had soured me!
I can’t rent an airplane anywhere unless I’m a flight student at a school, unless I commit to being a full-time CFI my services are not wanted.
1st certified as a CFI in 1979, having owned a flight school for a dozen years, co-owned 9 aircraft, thousands of Part 135 hours, I am FED UP not being able to just fly.
I am looking forward to becoming a glider pilot at a club where people treat each other as friends instead of a financial commodity.
As to most flight schools and rental places – this won’t last and it’d be better if you treated your clients as stakeholders.
That’s a very beautiful thing you said right there.
I am soon to join this quest. My mission is very much like yours: 4 seater, decent XC capabilities, in the under 100k range (if possible, way under). Not an easy task…
@Rafael,
Finding an aircraft for sale under 100k is an impossible task. I have been trying for almost a year. Any aircraft with less than half of its engine life and in fair condition will cost close to 200k.
Well done! I like the prose, and the plane is fantastic! Thanks for sharing your story with our community, and thanks for taking me up in it!!
Congrats. Most likely your airplane when new was a polished aluminum finish. The skyhawk package included paint that was a few years later. Those manual flaps will never burn out a flap motor! I finally got my own 2001 C172R from a flight school. If your airplane had or has a pitot static check, it could be used to break through a cloud layer with a clearance of course. But as is, it’s of course not a hard IFR airplane. You airplane will get looks at fly-ins, everyone will want to compare your 172 with the newer models.
I am a student pilot and completely amazed at the very subtle camaraderie among pilots. It rivals many other brotherhood/sisterhoods. I am thrill to be part of it. I am in an ancient brotherhood/sisterhood that lately can’t hold a candle to aviation. I’m a doctor. Thank you to all the aviators who are helping and encouraging me.
And thanks for a story making ownership a possibility.
I never have trouble renting an airplane. If the 182 isn’t available, usually the 172’s are. Perhaps not on the day or date I want to go up, but I’m flexible and can make it happen. The AOPA did a study years ago. In said study they said that if one wasn’t flying 75? hours a year, one shouldn’t be an owner. I agree with that. Rental it is.
My $25,000 Cessna looks like a 35′ Class A Motor home that I found while looking for my next airplane instead of my next motor home. While I am well aware of and am deeply indebted to my pilot and owner friends, I’ll add that the camaraderie extends to the recreational vehicle circles as well. I won’t be flying to KOSH next year, but I’ll be there anyway, with my golf cart as a “Toad”.
Congrats, great plane and price! Thanks for training pilots with it too.
Congratulations!