Well. Hm.

[agilebrit]

So, the Hubby went to Macon yesterday and looked at an airplane, with an eye towards us buying it if we thought the finances would work out. I found myself hoping this morning that it would be a piece of junk and the decision would be easy.

Yeah. Not so much.

Okay, first of all, it's an Aero Commander 500B, which is a plane the Hubby has always wanted. This is THE PLANE, guys. But they usually cost more than, say...your house. Yeah.

This one...doesn't. Not only that, but if we can sell it within three years, and as long as nothing horrible goes wrong with it, we can probably turn a profit on it.

However, the initial outlay is a little scary. We'd probably go into debt to do it, although selling the Cardinal and cashing out the mutuals would actually give us the cash to do it. The fixed costs per year would be something like $10,000--before we actually go anywhere in it.

But the going places would be easier. It's a twin, so it's got a longer range and it goes faster. Of course, that means it's correspondingly more expensive to run. But then, it's not like we've used the Cessna all that much, so...

We have much to discuss tomorrow.

In other news, the blank fic doc, it doth mock me... Also, the first group of results (Honorable Mentions and Semi-Finalists) from Q1 of Writers of the Future was supposed to be announced today, but there's nothing in my inbox. So I don't know if I didn't even place this time, or if I'm in the Finals. Probably didn't place. *sigh*

Comments

[bojojoti.livejournal.com]

A plane that costs more than a house is definitely something to ponder. It makes it hard when it's in good condition and is a good deal.

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

Yeah. If we were planning on flipping it right away, I might be less intimidated...and we've discussed buying it, upgrading the avionics, and putting it right on the market for slightly more than we think we could get for it...

But we'll have to talk about it.

This may be one of those situations where we get a sitter and go out to eat.

[baron-waste.livejournal.com]

Something you'll want to consider in your decision, is that avgas will never be any cheaper. On the other hand… avgas will never be any cheaper.

[iposty.livejournal.com]

ooh.. cool. Is that a parachuting door I see? :) NO Not for me, are you kidding?

I wonder, could he help "finance" it by playing pilot for hire on the weekends etc? or are there laws about that stuff?

I personally say going into debt for anything - except maybe a house or education - is a bad thing. So I guess I'd be cashing things in to pay for it.

Best of luck though! If it's meant to be it will work out.

[agilebrit.livejournal.com]

That's not the actual plane, just a representation. I'd think a parachuting door would be behind the prop rather than right next to it.

Flying charters might be an option, but you do run into legalities that way. He's a commercial pilot, so he'd have to keep really careful track of his time and stuff.

Yeah, we've been anti-debt from Day One and actually managed to pay cash for this house. I think it depends on the interest rate we could get and how much of a return we're getting on the mutuals right now. We'd still need a good chunk to pay for upgrades, though. The avionics in the thing are practically antique.

[(Anonymous)]

If you don't have the time to really utilize the Cessna what gives you the idea that you will use the Aero Commander more. It will cost more to sit on the ramp used or unused. It will cost more to go from point a to point b. What would it cost to make it flyable? One arm and a leg or two? But I know it is an Aero Commander. I rode in the front seat of one long before you were born. Cool but it was painted Army OD and White. Still in OD is was and is one sexy looking piece of flying machine. Do they still make them? Let's face it...until you're retired or are not needed at the office because you own the company you cannot do as your old man and Mom do whenever we want.
Da Foot