Buying and Owning Your Own Airplane, Third Edition [Paperback]

James E. Ellis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0813801761 | ISBN-13: 978-0813801766 | Publication Date: May 2004 | Edition: 3

"Jim Ellis did not teach me how to fly, he taught me what to fly! The best and most comprehensive book on the subject." - John Craparo, Aircraft Owner, Global Vice President of Information Technology - Dell, Inc., and founder of the International Aeronauts League. Buying an airplane isn't an easy task, but it doesn't have to be difficult either - if you use the comprehensive guide, "Buying and Owning Your Own Airplane". This handy, updated book contains all the information and special considerations for buying and owning an airplane. The third edition of this manual provides answers on everything from selecting partners and home fields to negotiating sales contracts to maintaining and upgrading your treasured bird. Readers will find new information essential for buying aircraft, including a survey of the most common new and used planes on the market today. The chapters are fully updated, offering additional aircraft coverage, detailing changes in tax laws, outlining requirements for obtaining and retaining insurance coverage, and projections on long-term trends in the aviation industry. The updated information includes the enormous impact of the Internet on aviation purchasing and ownership.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Can I? Should I?; Partnerships, clubs, and leasebacks; Selecting a home field; Selecting your airplane; Taking possession: paper and red tape; Insurance: the expensive enigma; Maintenance and miscellany; Engine operating practices and overhauls; Good aircraft for the first-time owner; Taildraggers and other traditional airplanes; High-performance singles; fulfilling the dream --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishers; 3 edition (May 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813801761
• ISBN-13: 978-0813801766
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,661,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great summary of main airplanes & the key purchase criterion, December 5, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buying & Owning Your Own Airplane (Paperback)

I've looked at all the books I can find to learn about high performance singles that can carry 4 people plus lots of stuff for adventure flying. This book shows performance specifications, and summarizes the other considerations of each model, including durability, flying & landing characteristics, and maintenence issues. I liked that it covered all the major Cessnas, Pipers (including the 6 & Saratoga) and also some Grummans, Beechcrafts, Mooney's, Maules, a taildragger section & more (over 50 models in all).

Also good summary of Partnership issues, Home field selection, defining the airplane's mission, Insurance & Maintenence.

If you're looking for your first airplane to own, I'd recommend this book!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best $20 you'll ever spend on aviation..., March 29, 2001

By 

Jose Latour (Gainesville, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buying & Owning Your Own Airplane (Paperback)

I found Mr. Ellis' book in a local bookstore shortly after starting my private pilot training, based on my eventual desire to buy my own plane. The book reads quickly and combines a perfect blend of hard facts and anecdotal material to really define the issues a prospected buyer needs to focus on.

I pretty much devoured the book in a few days and referred back to it -- especially for the invaluable aircraft model summaries -- until I concluded that a Cardinal RG was the right plane for me. Using the "Selecting Your Airplane" chapter, I found my perfect bird after using Mr. Ellis' expertise to eliminate many contenders.

The book is AWESOME and, having read most of what is out there on this subject, the best I have found.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat dated but still valuable information for a buyer., March 20, 1998

By 

Kenneth L. Chiaro - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buying & Owning Your Own Airplane (Paperback)

For those that are thinking of buying their own airplane, this book provides valuable information on what to look for in a plane, hidden costs of ownership, Government red tape, recommendations on aircraft for beginners, and advise on determining the real condition of the aircraft before it is purchased.