The process of buying an airplane

Just like with any big purchase, there are loans that you can get and apply for that are specific to aircraft ownership. The good thing about an aircraft loan is the fact that they take into account your debt-to-income ratio on a monthly basis, any other long term loans you may have, and income before taxes. For Titi and I, we both work full time jobs and don’t have a ton of debt on our plates thankfully.

Once you’ve secured the pre-approval loan, you can start shopping around for airplanes that are within your budget and has everything you’re looking for. We opt to go for a slightly bigger aircraft because we wanted to be able to bring our future kids along for our adventures in the future. Just remember that you want to buy an airplane that fits your needs most commonly. What I mean by that if you are mainly using the aircraft for yourself and your partner, then you don’t need to buy an aircraft that fits your entire family of 12. Buy what you need and rent an airplane in the future if you need something larger for a special occasion.

I will say that airplanes sales move relatively fast. Every time we thought we found the one, it got sold so fast. Be ready to have your heart let down a few times before you secure one that works for what you want and what the bank wants (because they have their own criteria for the purchase).  

Commonly Asked Questions

What airplane did you end up buying?

She’s a 1966 Mooney M20C!

How much should you expect to put down for an airplane?

You should expect to save anywhere from 10-20% of the total cost of the plane. You’ll also want to factor in other costs that come up when buying an airplane such as an inspection cost, travel cost getting the plane to an airport near you, maintenance, storage, and other hidden costs.

Why did you buy an airplane?

The main reason that we bought an airplane is because Titi is heading back to school to become a pilot. As you can imagine, pilot school is quite expensive, and it ends up being cheaper if you own your own aircraft instead of using the school’s airplanes. With this route though, we’ll also be using the airplane to travel and see the world!

How fast does the airplane that you bought go?

Up to 200 mph with a tailwind (which means that the wind is helping push the airplane forward)

How much is the monthly payment for your aircraft?

Without going into anything specific, our payment is less than the average new car payment plus insurance.

Where do you store the plane when not in use?

Firstly, it lives at a local airport in the area where you can either pay for a hanger (more costly) and a tie down, which is exactly what it sounds. The tie down option is cheaper, but the plane is outside in the elements every single day. Depending on the airport, there may be a waitlist to get a hanger so be prepared for that. The airport that we are using has a 3 year waiting list so we didn’t have a choice and opted for the tie down option.

Can you just take off and go where you want to or do you have to plan ahead?

Nope, you can literally head straight to the airport, hop in your plane, and go wherever your heart desires. Want to head to the beach for the weekend? Sure thing. Want to head to SC for your favorite restaurant for lunch? Yep you can do that too. Having your own airplane really opens up the doors to so many adventures and luxuries.

You may also like: Things to Do in Richmond, VA and A Weekend at the Duke Mansion

The post How We Bought An Airplane in Our 20s appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.

Titi and I were on cloud nine during our entire visit and can’t truly say enough about how amazing our stay was. During the weeks leading up to the proposal, Titi had been working with the staff at the Duke Mansion setting up everything, from getting a photographer to reserving the space for the surprise. From what he said, the staff were incredibly helpful in making sure everything was set up nicely for our arrival.

I’m not a huge history person nor is Titi, but the Duke Mansion has been around since 1915 and its’ history is full of twists and turns. If you’re interested in learning more about the history, you can read more about it here.

Rooms

Titi and I stayed on the third floor in the King Suite, which has a gorgeous skyline view of the gardens in front of the mansion. Both of us were blown away with the size of the room and the timeless décor that transports you back in time (in a good way). The bathroom was stunning and very modern looking with all of the white finishes. The Duke Mansion has 19 other rooms, beyond the King Suite, so you’re sure to find the perfect option for you and your family.

Amenities

Beyond the beautiful room, the Duke Mansion has a great selection of amenities to choose from. My favorite part about the Duke Mansion is the 4.5 acres of beautiful, thriving gardens that surrounds the main building. After Titi proposed to me, we actually had a post-proposal photoshoot around the gardens that allowed us to get some beautiful shots. Everything was bright green, and the flowers were bright and colorful to match the special occasion.

The Duke Mansion also has a guest library, a business center, and a small gym that are located throughout the house for anyone to use. They also have multiple seating areas inside and outside of the house to sit, eat and relax. I absolutely loved the white rocking chairs on the front porch; they were so charming and relaxing.   

Food

Even though the Duke Mansion is surrounded by some amazing food options, the food on the property is just as remarkable. A full breakfast included in your stay and from Titi’s comments, it was a tasty one! I’m not a huge breakfast eater unless we’re talking about pancakes, waffles, and sugary donuts or muffins. Unfortunately, the Duke Mansion did not have any of those sugary sweets on the menu (it’s fine I probably don’t need to eat them anyways! Haha). Instead the menu consisted of cereal, oatmeal, homemade orange juice, scrambled eggs, sausages, and so much more.

Things to Do Near the Duke Mansion

I’m not going to be posting a full travel guide of our trip to Charlotte (just because it’s really special and I want to keep it special between the two of us), however, here are a few things that are on my bucket list for our next trip to Charlotte:

• U.S. National WhiteWater Center: If you’re up for an outdoor adventure, then the WhiteWater center is the place to check out. You can go whitewater rafting, ziplining, rock climbing, kayaking, and paddle boarding here. Titi and I didn’t get a chance to stop, by but this could easily be an all-day adventure.
• Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens: I’m a sucker for a pretty garden, and this place looks like it would be breathtaking in every season. Make sure to wear a good pair of shoes and have a full-charged battery because this site has a lot of walking and pretty views.
• Go Shopping: Charlotte has so many malls, outlets, and shopping centers that there’s no way that you can stop by every single one! I stopped at the Premium outlets this time, but next time I want to check out Concord Mills and SouthPark Mall.

Titi and I had the best time at the Duke Mansion and can’t recommend it enough if you’re in the Charlotte area. It’s the perfect place if you want a more traditional, quiet bed and breakfast located in the heart of the city. You can also book weddings, parties, and other events here, but make sure you book well in advance to secure your room in this beautiful mansion.  

The post A Weekend at the Duke Mansion appeared first on Uniquely Mickie.