Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Airplanes Only Buying my first plane...

Ok, So, I'm new here... 42 years old, have always wanted my own aeroplane... that's right, I said aeroplane... it's the correct spellin down unda.
The only planes I've ever owned prior to this were the plastic ones that you stick together and try not to break while doing so... and the ones you climb a mountain and hand launch into the prevailing wind... anyway, I digress...

Here's a pic of what I've already placed a downpayment on:

So, I kinda purchased this thing without a prebuy and without even going and taking a look at it... I just had about a 30 minute conversation with the owner and he made an offer and I just said "sounds good, I'll buy it"

It's kinda like one of those life moments... Nothing like just leaping in eyes wide shut!

I know that many of you are probably cringing and thinking "...What a fool Josh is..."
Trust me,,, Even if this turns out to be a foolish decision it isn't anything close to some of the other poor decisions I've made.

I purchased N61112 for several reasons:
1. The purchase price was cheap
2. As long as the wings and Engine stay attached and the controls work I should be able to survive anything (not that I'm planning on ending up in a field somewhere... But I did spend all night reading about Carb Icing)
3. I needed something to save time on my 500mile commute back and forth from work each week. Yes, I'm prepared to drive when the weather is not VFR compatible.
4. If I don't buy a plane now I may never follow my dreams... age 42 and wishing I was 22...

I hope to make it to Clinton Iowa this year for the fly in... I'm supposed to work Thursday and Friday that week, but maybe I could show up a few days early and just help out with setting up and stuff.

I look forward to meeting you all... Please be patient with my questions. I'm just new to plane ownership.

We look forward to meeting you, Josh. We have a couple of Aussie members and one of them ( Matt Gray ) has come to Clinton twice.

Don't worry about asking questions, we all have been (or will be) new owner at one time.

Your plane looks good, but I'm a bit concerned that its entry in the FAA database [registry.faa.gov] doesn't have info for Manufactured Year and Airworthiness.

I wouldn't be too concerned.
My have been entered into the FAA data base late on a Friday afternoon.

Good luck with your new to you aeroplane.
I hope that with out a pre-buy inspection everything works out okay for you.
Kind of a roll of the dice, but that does not mean that a pre-buy is any guarantee that you won't have any problems.

Hope to see you in Clinton in July.

Wow... See, This Forum has paid for itself already!!!
Thanks for the heads up Hung!!!
I just called the current owner and he's going out to the airport to look for the Airworthiness certificate. I should hear back from him this afternoon.

No, that's the info from the current registration. It hasn't been transferred to Josh's name yet.

I understand that.
I was saying that when the info for the current owner was input it just may have been left out.

And the only history I could find was a prop strike in 1989.
Hand proping gone wrong and hit a hangar door.

Looks like a thorough/post-purchase annual inspection is in order, if it hasn't already been complied with.

May the baptism by ownership begin.

Congratulations, and good luck.

Don't sweat a no-look purchase. These planes are so simple nothing can go wrong that time and money won't fix.

In all seriousness, I couldn't afford my plane without this Club. And, unlike many other forums, most all people here are very friendly and helpful, willing to post detailed answers without making you feel bad or telling you to search for it yourself.

In other words, adults.

So, if you find any issues with your new plane, feel free to ask questions - we love to spend other people's money.

Hey Josh!

Welcome aboard.

Questions - fire away

and call me Graeme. Never did quite figure why they used part of my business name for my username....

Here are some more pics. With one sgowing anual in October last year.
Question: is that the correct spinner for a J model?