Buying used
Advantages to purchasing older aircraft
Is buying a used turboprop a good idea? The advantages of buying a used turboprop aircraft include, first and foremost, the depreciation factor. Similar to automobiles, when you buy a new aircraft, much of the depreciation happens at the onset. Usually, the depreciation curve is the steepest in the first five years. Therefore, buying a used turbine aircraft will save on the initial costs.
A used, late 1990s/early 2000s Daher TBM, Piper Meridian, or Pilatus PC-12 may fit your mission just as well as a new one. They’re just as capable, but at a more affordable price, which means a lower monthly payment and less to insure. If you are a less-experienced turboprop pilot—for example, you have a lot of time in piston aircraft but don’t have hundreds or thousands of hours in type—it might be advantageous for you to get into something that is not quite as expensive, allowing you to pay less for building time and experience.
Prior to purchasing a used turboprop, it’s vital to obtain a detailed prepurchase inspection. It will tell you about the quality of the maintenance that’s been done on the aircraft, as well as highlight any upcoming maintenance that will come into play. Turboprop aircraft have different maintenance schedules than piston aircraft, specifically on the engines themselves. The quality of previous maintenance and where the airplane is in its maintenance schedule are key things to be aware of with turboprops.
Prior to purchasing a used turboprop, it’s vital to obtain a detailed prepurchase inspection. It will tell you about the quality of the maintenance that’s been done of the aircraft.An ideal time to acquire a turboprop is often right after the hot section inspection has been completed on the engine. Doing so provides insight into the current condition of the engine, and a sense of its remaining life. With the inspection recently completed, it’s one less item on the short list of upcoming expenses. Plus, it also means you’ve got some good flying hours left before the next set of inspections come due.
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