No Sir!

That would be physically impossible for anyone.

We represent buyers of all King Air, Pilatus and TBM models, most Citations, all Hawkers and Premiers as well as some Learjets, Gulfstreams, Falcons and Challengers.

To stay proficient in all of those aircraft would leave zero time FOR SOMEONE to actually do what I do.

Fortunately, I do have qualified A&P’s and Pilot’s to call on when their services are needed. For instance, the test pilots we use are the most qualified in the industry, it isn’t about me… it’s my team.

I’m with you on the 15%… geez! It’s been my experience that percentages only work when selling airplanes that are sub $1M

Obviously, we’re representing buyers not sellers, so we don’t use a percentage at all.

I generally agree with Mike, but what is it they say about bad publicity?

I read maintenance manuals on vacation, and would get little to no value from a broker. For someone who can't tell a citation from a citabria, they will find more value in it. Is it worth 6 figures? Maybe not, but then again if they are happy, what can I complain about.

The brokers who have no clue about airplanes are a different story. They remind me of the Best Buy employee who picks up the router box and starts to read it when a customer asks a question.

Not to pry, but why would you need a special issuance medical?

Not to pry, but why would you need a special issuance medical?

I don't see what the problem is. You don't need to be a general contractor to sell houses...don't need to be a Formula One race car driver to sell cars. You don't need to be a woman to deliver babies. And you don't need to be a pilot to be an expert at selling airplanes.

There are those that like to “do it yourself” and that’s a valid way to do almost anything if you want to trade your time for “saving” money. Usually I find I can hire a better qualified expert to assist for less than the cost of my own time, especially if
I need to spend a lot of time to ramp up my knowledge on a technical subject or market.

I would not buy a turbine aircraft without assistance.

Having said that I can easily see that there are a lot of shysters out there. I feel fortunate to have someone I trust, have a lot of experience with and who does a fabulous job for a fair fee. He hasn’t posted on this thread and doesn’t rely on ceaseless self promotion to get business. He doesn’t need to. While not the “backbone” of aviation he’s pretty darn useful.

I agree.

But then don't create the impression you are a pilot when you aren't.

"To stay proficient in all of those aircraft would leave zero time to actually do what I do."

Is that how a non pilot would answer?

Mike C.

Chip,

I met you some years ago when I brought a, non pilot, friend of mine to Ridgeaire in Jacksonville. We were looking at a King Air 90 that you had for sale.

I had been flying my friend out to West Texas on occasions and he decided that a plane would be nicer than driving. He didn’t need a lot of payload as his usual trips would just be one or two folks and some overnight baggage. I did warn him that if he brought a King Air home his wife would never get in the Baron again. We left Ridgeaire with a
King Air 200.

You’ve come a long way, congrats, but stay grounded.

Best of luck,
CM

From 67 pages so far, Is there a prize for poster 1,000 in OPs thread & topic?

Sure, you can let your brother in-law deliver your first child in the kitchen despite that he's not a Gyn-Obs or bonafide mid-wife, but he did watch a tutorial on YouBoob ...

You have a CHOICE: are you gunna hire a Professional that has at the bare minimum the license, credentials and experience ?

Don’t get drawn into superfluous discussions about certificates and ratings being the end all qualification for selling aircraft, or, anything for that matter. There’s plenty examples of individuals having all kinds of education and higher degrees that just don’t have a clue. All you have to do is look around to see that. There’s also plenty examples of people out there who do not have a formal education who run circles around those who do. Again, all you have to do is look around. Those who tout their education, count their certificates and degrees (and let you know it) are usually the ones who know the least.

Spend time and do your own homework. Do extensive research on your own time. Don’t trust others to do it for you. When you have to go to others for information, or, whatever, verify the source and the information received. Yes, it does take leg work. In the end when it’s time to decide, it will be you and only you who is responsible for your decision. It will also be very satisfying.

I think you listed a G-III that I flew many years ago. I was in Austin where the camera crew showed up.

I approach every purchase of an unknown high ticket item with a buyer aware attitude.

most times it is not that the seller or broker is trying to deceive but many people do not know what they don't know or their value system for a "good aircraft" is different. If you can't afford to lose the $ than get someone that really understands the situation to help you. Even with the Aerostar where I have spent over 25 years keeping the beast working and as an engineer I understand it pretty well, I still would find a good guru to look at it if I was looking at another one. in addition in the aircraft world many times there are differences of opinions on what is a good aircraft and what it OK to fly with so you really need to understand how your guru values everything.

we must remember that your values for what is OK to fly with is not necessarily mine and judge accordingly. A fresh annual only means that is it legal in someone's mind to fly but not that it necessarily meets my idea of "good to fly"

You make the exact opposite point you're trying to make.

You hire an expert to do the job he specializes in. In Chip's case, he's an expert in buying and selling airplanes, which is not the same skill-set as flying airplanes. Understanding the market, knowing and connecting buyers and sellers, and knowing specifics about year/make/model. This isn't the same as flying.