Category Archives: airplanes

Time to buy an airplane?

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Buy an airplane?

If you are thinking you might buy an airplane, this may be a good time to get serious. Besides the fact that spring always seems to bring out more buyers it also seems like the market is “right” for buying an airplane. By “right” it appears that in today’s economy you can buy some airplane models and probably be able maintain their value or even make a few bucks over the next couple of years. I’m not saying buy new, but good used  popular models.

Anyway, I have been involved in the aviation market for a number of years. I can remember when buying an aircraft (especially a Cessna 172 or Cherokee Archer etc.) was almost a guarantee to make money. Used airplane prices were always going up.  Of course, there were years of high gas prices or high interest rates which had major impact on prices. And then the crash in the in the 2006 – 2007 area where prices went lower than 1995…

But, recently it looks good again.  I was researching aircraft prices for a recent Cessna Owners and Piper Owners Magazines article where I was discussing how to value your aircraft.  Personally, I like to use VREF as a pricing guide and included a recent graph in my story of the light single engine market prices.  See the graph below.

Take a look at the 3rd quarter of 2016. The single engine market started an uphill run and doesn’t look like it will slow down. It looks like if the economy keeps up the momentum, maybe we can get back to the peak prices we had back in 2000 – 2001.

buy an airplane

Of course don’t forget to get an insurance quote from SkySmith for the airplane you are thinking about buying! Click here to get a quote!

Opener BlackFly personal aircraft

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OPENER NAMED PRESENTING SPONSOR OF EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2020 INNOVATION SHOWCASE

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (December 16, 2019) — Opener, the company that designs and builds the all-electric BlackFly personal aircraft, has been named the presenting sponsor of the Innovation Showcase at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2020. The 68th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and annually draws 600,000 people and 10,000 aircraft.

The Innovation Showcase at EAA AirVenture is focused on research and development in the aviation and aerospace industries. It welcomes cutting-edge companies that seek to bring their new products to the public and the aviation marketplace.
“Opener has an unparalleled leadership position in new technology driving personal flight,” said Dave Chaimson, EAA’s vice president of business development and membership. “They have been a part of the Innovation Showcase at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for the past two years and have been a prime example of the innovative aviation technology we’ve been introducing at AirVenture. Having them as the presenting sponsor of this area will bring even more companies to Oshkosh who are interested in highlighting the newest and best in aviation.”

Opener spent the last 10 years in stealth mode, designing, developing, and testing new innovative technologies, which have now evolved into an all-electric, vertical takeoff-and-landing vehicle, BlackFly. Opener made its public debut in July 2018, shortly before displaying BlackFly at Oshkosh that year. A BlackFly v2 is now on display in the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh.
“EAA AirVenture has always been synonymous with what’s new and game-changing in aviation,” said Ben Diachun, Opener’s president. “Seeing how attendees at Oshkosh welcome and encourage new ideas in all areas of flight convinced us that we needed to help foster it even further by sponsoring EAA’s Innovation Showcase.”
Only 20 exhibitors are selected from all applicants to be included in the Innovation Showcase. Any aviation-related product or service that demonstrates unique, forward-looking technology is invited to apply for complimentary exhibit space in that area. In 2019, nearly 75 companies applied for this area at Oshkosh. Applications for 2020 are currently being accepted through April 1, 2020, through the EAA.org/Innovation website.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.

Opener

Canadian Snowbirds Return to AirVenture 2020

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CANADIAN FORCES SNOWBIRDS RETURNING TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH IN 2020

Canadian Snowbirds – Renowned military flight team marks 50 years of performances next summer

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (December 10, 2019) — The Canadian Forces Snowbirds, one of the most popular military aerial demonstration teams in the world, announced EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is part of its 50th year performance schedule in 2020, making Oshkosh a stop for the second time in five years. The announcement was officially made at the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) convention in Las Vegas.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the 68th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention known as the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Snowbirds are currently scheduled to have a public practice session over the grounds on Friday, July 24, with full performances during the daily afternoon air show on Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26.

The Snowbirds, officially designated as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, were created in 1971 and have a nearly 50-year connection to EAA, as they were the first military team to perform at Oshkosh when they flew over the EAA fly-in during the 1970s. They last appeared at AirVenture in 2016, which was their first performance there since 1983.

“There is an elegance in the Snowbirds’ aerial choreography that is matched by no other military demonstration group,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of programs, publications, and marketing, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “When they appeared at Oshkosh in 2016, the Snowbirds were warmly welcomed not only for their air show performances but for the way they interacted with our attendees, including some team members even camping with their jet on the show grounds. The Snowbirds’ return is just one more reason that EAA AirVenture 2020 will be an event to remember.”

The Snowbirds fly Canadair CT-114 Tutor jets in approximately 60 air shows each year. The nine aircraft used in the performances are piloted by experienced team members from the Royal Canadian Air Force. During the show, the pilots fly at speeds ranging from 110 to 465 mph (180 to 750 km/h) and in formation with distances as close as four feet of wing overlap. Comprised of exciting loops, rolls and solo passes as well as graceful nine-jet formations, the Snowbirds’ show includes more than 50 different formations and maneuvers over each 35-minute performance.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.