Let’s keep a focus on aircraft affordability. Look, we love recreational aircraft. In how they deliver enjoyment, they are closer to boats, RVs, and motorcycles than they are to a Cirrus SR22 or a Bonanza. Some owners justify the latter saying they use their airplane for company travel. When an airplane’s price tag approaches $1 million, business use is surely necessary. Very few of us can even drean of dropping a cool million on an airplane. Rather, I often hear from readers that a $125,000 Light-Sport Aircraft is “way too expensive!” In this article, I’ll tell you something of Wes Parker‘s story and explain how he came to own the aircraft pictured nearby at a modest expense. But First… Please note the graphic to the right. This concerns a matter I hope you recognize as extremely important. At present, flight instruction in Special, Experimental, Limited, and Primary Category aircraft requires a LODA.
Affordable Aviation — How Can You Afford Your Own Aircraft? Here’s One Way.
But First…
Please note the graphic to the right. This concerns a matter I hope you recognize as extremely important. At present, flight instruction in Special, Experimental, Limited, and Primary Category aircraft requires a LODA. Failure to have one while conducting paid instruction can get you in trouble, and such illegal activity includes you paying for transition training after you bought a new aircraft.Be Like Wes Parker?
Hailing from Greensboro, North Caroline, Wes Parker seems to have found a groove many pilots would like to discover. The Celebrity you see in this article was his fourth Experimental aircraft acquisition. How he did this is the core of a story about how people can afford recreational or sport aircraft.Celebrate Celebrity
The handsome Celebrity biplane you see nearby was another case of an older owner doing good work within in his skills but having a substantial share unfinished. In this case, you guessed correctly, the Fisher Flying Products Celebrity needed electrical work. Wes found the aircraft after posting a wanted notice on Barnstormers.com.Originally built by Phil Swenson, this Celebrity project was completed by current owner, Wes Parker who has parlayed his way into different aircraft at modest expense.
Wes Parker's Experimentals
In 2021 alone, Wes Parker has spent 100 enjoyable hours in this cockpit.
An earlier acquisition was a mostly-done Zodiac 601XLB for which Wes Parker's wife designed this distinctive wrap graphic.
Among his various Experimental was this Lancair 360, which Wes enjoyed for its speedy performance. Choosing not to worry about an aviation medical lead Wes back to Sport Pilot and the Celebrity.