Seeking a Partnership-Sending out Letters to Owners?

[austin757]

Hi all,

I am hoping to buy my dream plane soon, a T-6 Texan, but at this point in my life, it would be better suited for me to have a partner. Mainly because I won't be able to fly it enough hours due to work schedule, but also because I don't have tons of TW time and getting insurance might be challenging. I haven't done research on that yet, but I know a couple brokers who specialize in Warbirds.

Do you think it would be worthwhile for me to send letters to current T-6 owners introducing myself and asking if any have an interest in having a partner? I have sent letters/flyers out when looking for real estate investments, but have not heard it done with airplanes. I am a NATA member, so I have a Directory and can see over a hundred T-6 owners in U.S. that could potentially be interested. In the long term, I would likely want to buy them out when they no longer can fly or want out. Has anyone done this kind of thing or is a waste of time?

Thanks,
Austin

 

[midlifeflyer]

It's been done with airplanes too. Success rate is probably low but you might just hit on the owner who has been thinking about it. Not sure about the flyer thing, though. Sounds too much like junk mail people toss immediately.

Does NATA have a forum? Using it might identify you as less of a stranger. You might even be able to do a softer, networking-style, "help me" sell. "You're near me. I'd love to see your airplane." Then go out to lunch. "I'd love to get into one of these. Do you know anyone looking for a partner?"

 

[jheyen]

This is exactly how I found my way into the A36 I have now. I pulled the FAA directory for my county and sent letters to all the 6 seat aircraft owners inquiring if they wanted to have a partner join. Several got back to me not interested in being a partner, but happy to help me out if I needed.

One gentlemen had lost his medical and couldn’t fly his A36 anymore so we made an arrangement where I could fly it to keep it active. That lasted for two years and I eventually purchased the plane from him.

You won’t know if you don’t try. I made my letter very professional, provided some background about me and my family and what I was interested in. I even provided some names of references if they wanted to check on me.

I think it’s definitely worth a try.

 

[Rgbeard]

Ya don't ask, ya don't get.

 

[austin757]

It's been done with airplanes too. Success rate is probably low but you might just hit on the owner who has been thinking about it. Not sure about the flyer thing, though. Sounds too much like junk mail people toss immediately.

Does NATA have a forum? Using it might identify you as less of a stranger. You might even be able to do a softer, networking-style, "help me" sell. "You're near me. I'd love to see your airplane." Then go out to lunch. "I'd love to get into one of these. Do you know anyone looking for a partner?"

Great idea, thank you. NATA has a forum and a Classifieds section that I thought about putting an ad up for this. I agree about the flyer.

 

[austin757]

This is exactly how I found my way into the A36 I have now. I pulled the FAA directory for my county and sent letters to all the 6 seat aircraft owners inquiring if they wanted to have a partner join. Several got back to me not interested in being a partner, but happy to help me out if I needed.

One gentlemen had lost his medical and couldn’t fly his A36 anymore so we made an arrangement where I could fly it to keep it active. That lasted for two years and I eventually purchased the plane from him.

You won’t know if you don’t try. I made my letter very professional, provided some background about me and my family and what I was interested in. I even provided some names of references if they wanted to check on me.

I think it’s definitely worth a try.

Thank you. I have the same ideas about writing the letter: making it professional and classy, with plenty of info about myself and pilot experience. I think it is worth a shot. I plan on speaking to some NATA members (T-6, T-28, P-51, etc.) to feel out some owners. It's also a smaller group and many know each other, so that might help me find a good deal.

 

[Lindberg]

The bulletin board at the airport where I fly has a couple of letters from folks looking for partnerships. I don't think it would be odd to send targeted letters, just make sure they don't look like junk mail.