Someone wanting to sell a plane is an idiot if they tell only one person. That's basic common sense. So real owners aren't going to do that, thus they aren't idiots, that's the point. Chip isn't the only one who knows about a plane for sale because owners will tell others even if it isn't publicly advertised.

Mike C.

A smart and involve aviation enthusiast. We clearly have ample evidence to say that is a typical BT member.

BT is one of the highest signal to noise ratio forums on the planet with seemingly a much high average IQ than most others. it is enjoyable to be around smart people.


BT is worth preserving, it is fabulous way to help others interested in aviation.


Absolutely, I'd like to help every aviator enjoy the maximal benefits from the activity. My contributions are worth what you paid, I guarantee it.

Mike C.

Someone wanting to sell a plane is an idiot if they tell only one person. That's basic common sense. So real owners aren't going to do that, thus they aren't idiots, that's the point. Chip isn't the only one who knows about a plane for sale because owners will tell others even if it isn't publicly advertised.

Mike C.

OK gentlemen, I think this has run its course. Shall we move on?

You seem to be forgetting the convenience and value the buyer's agent is bringing to an owner who up to this point has not seriously considered selling, what to speak of advertising, his plane. The owner is offered a fast, low-drama sale with most of the sale costs covered already covered by the buyer, netting them a better price for their plane, as they're not paying a broker.

If I was considering selling my plane, my strategy would not be telling only Chip. That would be really dumb and ultimately inconvenient.

The "low drama" sale you speak of means the plane will go through a full set of phase inspections at one of the most expensive shops he can find. I'll have no competition for his buyers, so I lack any bargaining power. I will have to do all the seller side work, too. Asking Chip to do that side is like asking the fox to guard the henhouse, his allegiance is to the buyer only, not you.

I thus conclude that a buyer who hires Chip with the idea he has exclusive access to off market planes is being deceived.

I am constantly bombarded by inquiries to buy my plane. Literally nearly every day. I had two yesterday, one by email, one by phone. Here is the email one:

---

Good day!

This is Gina with Jet Life Aero. We have a client in the charter industry actively looking for a Citation V.
Would you be open to discussing any off-market opportunities on N618K?
Looking forward to your response.

Gina
JetLife Aero
gina@jetlifeaero.com

---

When a buyer's agent claims they know of off market planes, this is mostly how they find them, through spam emails and phone calls. There's no magic here. Anybody wanting to sell can have it known to a dozen buyer agents in a matter of days. I could write an email to all these guys and all I would have to say is "taking offers on N618K" and I'd have instant interest. I wouldn't just tell one, that's stupid.

Be wary of anybody in aviation who claims to have special knowledge no one else has. That is almost always a sign of a false expert.

Mike C.

If I was considering selling my plane, my strategy would not be telling only Chip. That would be really dumb and ultimately inconvenient.

The "low drama" sale you speak of means the plane will go through a full set of phase inspections at one of the most expensive shops he can find. I'll have no competition for his buyers, so I lack any bargaining power. I will have to do all the seller side work, too. Asking Chip to do that side is like asking the fox to guard the henhouse, his allegiance is to the buyer only, not you.

I thus conclude that a buyer who hires Chip with the idea he has exclusive access to off market planes is being deceived.

I am constantly bombarded by inquiries to buy my plane. Literally nearly every day. I had two yesterday, one by email, one by phone. Here is the email one:

---

Good day!

This is Gina with Jet Life Aero. We have a client in the charter industry actively looking for a Citation V.
Would you be open to discussing any off-market opportunities on N618K?
Looking forward to your response.

Gina
JetLife Aero
gina@jetlifeaero.com

---

When a buyer's agent claims they know of off market planes, this is mostly how they find them, through spam emails and phone calls. There's no magic here. Anybody wanting to sell can have it known to a dozen buyer agents in a matter of days. I could write an email to all these guys and all I would have to say is "taking offers on N618K" and I'd have instant interest. I wouldn't just tell one, that's stupid.

Be wary of anybody in aviation who claims to have special knowledge no one else has. That is almost always a sign of a false expert.

Mike C.

Here’s a simple solution, when they call or email, just say “please give me your client’s phone number, I’d like to call them real quick and verify that you represent them. Once that’s done, I’ll be glad to talk to you”

If I was considering selling my plane, my strategy would not be telling only Chip. That would be really dumb and ultimately inconvenient.

The "low drama" sale you speak of means the plane will go through a full set of phase inspections at one of the most expensive shops he can find. I'll have no competition for his buyers, so I lack any bargaining power. I will have to do all the seller side work, too. Asking Chip to do that side is like asking the fox to guard the henhouse, his allegiance is to the buyer only, not you.

I thus conclude that a buyer who hires Chip with the idea he has exclusive access to off market planes is being deceived..

This isn't FUD as claimed.

There's a long thread on CJP right now about AOG airplanes due to precoolers failing. They split open and then burn your cowling. The vendor is overseas and hasn't been able to get the quality and quantity up to snuff. Planes are AOG waiting for these parts.

A response from Textron:

"The supplier is in much better health than several years ago and is turning units, but this particular part supply has been below recent demand. We are working with the supplier to update their planning quantities for this model, but there will be likely a few instances in the coming months like the current situation of the customer provided below and our team will continue to work possible solutions as we do with all AOG customers."

That was a lot of vague words to basically say, yeah, we don't have them and some planes are grounded until we do.

The precoolers are also on a 3500 hour 9 year life limit and a set costs about $25K. So every 9 years you are buying new ones.

Meanwhile, my bleed air precooler on my ACM machine is original with the airplane, 34 years and 10,000 hours, and works fine.

A CJ operator is AOG at the Wichita service center waiting on a hydraulic pump, none in stock, and it will be about $30K when available. I bought a used one for my plane for $200 and had it in days.

If someone tells you to buy a newer 525 to avoid parts and maintenance problems of the 500 series, that's not based on reality. I'm not saying the 500 series doesn't have parts issues at times, it is that the 525 series issues are more severe, take longer, have fewer options, and cost a huge amount more.

Mike C.

In case anyone actually cares about aircraft inventory levels...

Trade-A-Plane, Beechcraft 36 Bonanza Series Aircraft for Sale
Oct 21, 2021: 33
Mar 11, 2025: 88
Apr 4, 2025: 91

Controller, Jet Aircraft for Sale
Oct 22, 2021: 657
Mar 11, 2025: 1,381
Apr 4, 2025: 1,391

This thread was started in 2021 - yes the cage match has been going on for 3 1/2 years now. Inventory levels have tripled for BE-36 and more than doubled for Jet Aircraft.

I expect those numbers to shoot up considerably over the next couple of quarters.

I sure hope you are right, this last 3 1/2 years have been a very challenging time to buy airplanes.

A couple of nights ago I couldn’t sleep and went back to page 1 of this thread and started reading. It was a very interesting read, given today’s perspective.

I sure hope you are right, this last 3 1/2 years have been a very challenging time to buy airplanes.

Really? Inventory has tripled for Bonanzas. I can find a great '36 for any budget and mission. Don't believe me? Send me your budget, home base, and 3 most frequent missions (location, routing, time of year and pax & cargo), and I will show you 3 very good candidate model '36 Bonanzas.

Surely with nearly 1,400 jets to choose from, you could do the same Chip?