Read This Before You Buy Your First Airplane

Good morning! I just got back from a week in sunny Florida where I flew a few airplanes, connected with some great pilots and filmed a new aircraft review that’ll be hitting the Flybuyer YouTube channel soon. This one’s extra special—it’s also an airplane I’m brokering through my company, Flybuyer Aircraft Sales. If you’re thinking about selling your plane (or want it featured in a walkaround video), shoot me an email at [email protected]. If you’re ready to sell, I’m ready to help. 🛩️

-Rob Roy

In today’s email:

• How to Dodge the Pitfalls of First-Time Aircraft Ownership

• Around the Skies: Trump unveils fighter upgrade vision, Brewery born in a hangar, Business aviation wants veteran A&Ps, Supersonic flights could return soon, FAA cuts red tape for experimental aircraft

• PilotTube: How to Buy an Airplane and Write It off on Your Taxes

THE BUSINESS OF AVIATION

What First-Time Aircraft Buyers Get Wrong—And How to Get It Right

Buying your first aircraft can be one of the most rewarding and expensive milestones in a pilot’s life. But it’s also filled with potential missteps that can quickly turn a dream into a financial headache. From hidden maintenance issues to mismatched missions, many first-time buyers make costly decisions simply because they don’t know what to watch for. Fortunately, with the right approach and a bit of guidance, you can avoid the most common pitfalls and make the process a whole lot smoother.

One of the biggest mistakes is skipping the use of an escrow agent. An escrow agent acts as a neutral third party, helping verify ownership, check for liens and ensure the proper paperwork is in place before money changes hands. Another common error is passing on a thorough pre-buy inspection. Even if the aircraft looks good on the outside, issues hidden in the logs—or under the cowling—can quickly drain your bank account. A qualified mechanic with no previous ties to the aircraft can offer an objective view and catch things others might miss.

Buyers also often forget to align the airplane with their actual mission. Are you flying solo for fun? Hauling the family on vacations? Building time? The right airplane depends on how you’ll use it and it’s worth seeking advice from experienced owners or type clubs before making a decision. It’s equally important to plan for ongoing costs like annual inspections, surprise repairs, insurance and hangar fees. These add up quickly and can turn even a well-priced airplane into a financial burden if you’re not prepared.

Then there’s the temptation of the fixer-upper. While restoring a plane can be a fulfilling project, it’s rarely fast or cheap—especially if you’re not an A&P. Unless you’re ready to commit serious time and resources, you may be better off buying something that’s already airworthy. Still, for all the cautionary tales, buying an airplane can be one of the most exciting steps in your aviation journey. It opens the door to new experiences, friendships and the freedom to fly on your terms. Just make sure you go in with eyes open, tools ready and a healthy respect for what ownership really means.

Don’t Keep Flybuyer a Secret!

Help me grow the newsletter by sending this link to your pilot friends!

AROUND THE SKIES

🛩️ From a press conference in Qatar, Trump unveiled ambitious new upgrades for the F-35 and F-22—including a twin-engine “F-55” variant and a modernized “F-22 Super.” He dismissed single-engine fighters and said the F-55 would only move forward if Lockheed offers the “right price.” The proposal follows Lockheed’s recent loss to Boeing on the F-47, hinting at a potential comeback play for the defense giant.

🛩️ What happens when a pilot with a taste for craft beer builds a brewery in an airport hangar? You get Aviator Brewery—a high-flying, five-acre operation with 24 beers on tap, a distillery in the works and a bar inside a retired Berlin Airlift C-54. It’s aviation-meets-ales with a healthy dose of attitude, humor and altitude.

🛩️ Business aviation needs skilled techs and veterans with aviation maintenance experience are a prime fit. With 22,000 service members exiting annually, the NBAA is encouraging more to pursue FAA A&P certification and consider careers in business aviation. As retirements loom and demand grows, the industry is eager to tap into this underused talent pool. For veterans, it’s a chance to apply their experience in a growing and well-paying sector.

🛩️ A group of lawmakers is pushing to end the 52-year ban on civilian supersonic flight over U.S. land. The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act would let aircraft break the sound barrier—so long as no sonic boom hits the ground. Supporters say new “quiet supersonic” tech makes the old rules obsolete and believe it’s time for America to lead the next aviation leap. If passed, it could fast-track a bold return to high-speed, coast-to-coast travel.

🛩️ The FAA has rolled out a new policy making it easier for experienced pilots to fly multiple experimental aircraft without the usual paperwork grind. Under the updated rules, those with three existing AEAs in high-performance piston aircraft can now add more with just type-specific training and a logbook endorsement—no practical test required. It's a major shift aimed at cutting red tape, reducing costs and giving seasoned aviators more freedom to explore the skies. The program is live now, with public feedback open through June 9.

PilotTube

Did you know that owning an aircraft can offer not just freedom and flexibility—but serious tax advantages too? Thanks to well-structured U.S. tax laws, businesses can leverage depreciation to write off the cost of a private aircraft, often upfront or through accelerated methods. With a strong market and plenty of inventory available, now is an ideal time to explore how aircraft ownership can benefit both your lifestyle and your bottom line. It’s a unique opportunity to elevate the way you travel while making a smart financial move.

Interested in Sponsoring This Newsletter?
Email me at [email protected] to get your business featured in an upcoming edition.

Have an Aircraft I Can Film?
I’m on the lookout for airplanes to review for the Flybuyer YouTube channel. If you own, fly or have access to a piston, turbine, business jet, helicopter, seaplane, bush plane, warbird or blimp I can film, please fill out this form!

Follow @flybuyer on Instagram!