Not sure if I'm looking for advice or not. I'm about 3 years into my -7. I'm at the point of getting really close to finishing. I could have flown next year for sure if -. The big if. My wife came to me this week and asked for a trial separation. Things have been sliding downhill for a while anyway. In my mind, it's over. If I move out, I won't move back. When we married 7 years ago, I sold my house and moved into hers "for the kids". In hindsight, it was a huge error.
My plane is still here in the shop. I've been on a waiting list for hangers for over 3 years. When I leave the house everything is coming with me. That means I need space for the plane. I also have a dog. So I'm looking at a house this morning, about 1100 sq' of living space, and lots of shop space. It's only 1 1/2 miles from where I am now. That's important because the closer I am, the easier it will be to maintain the relationship I have with my step kids. Real estate is cheap now. I have a decent job. It costs me about 15% of my net income just to own my non flying plane. My expenses will rise signifigantly on my own. I can afford it- but I could also use that money to provide myself a little greater financial security, and I'm not getting any younger. (52)
Part of me wants the burden of owning and owing to be lifted. I haven't flown since I sold my Mooney in 04/07 except for 2 rides. The local airport used to be a beehive of activity on the weekends, and was a great place to hang out. Since the gas went through the roof, and the economy tanked, it's been a ghost town. ( But I still can't get a hanger!!) I can always get another plane. Part of me says just hang on to it, I'll lose all the time I put into it, plus It's the plane I wanted. I'm sure I'll lose a good chunk of change as well, probably 20K if I sell it as is.
Whats a -7 worth at this point-
Airframe complete except for windshield (it's a slider) and front deck riveting.
IO-360 180hp, Hartzell cs prop. Nice panel 2 comms, 1 nav wa Garmin CDI
All the wiring is complete
Everything is new, and I've got about 76-80K invested.
I've had it looked at 4 times during the build by EAA techs, and comments are "Excellent Workmanship"
I hosted a chapter meeting here about a year or so ago, and heard nothing negative.
Chappyd <---- bummin' out this am.
My plane is still here in the shop. I've been on a waiting list for hangers for over 3 years. When I leave the house everything is coming with me. That means I need space for the plane. I also have a dog. So I'm looking at a house this morning, about 1100 sq' of living space, and lots of shop space. It's only 1 1/2 miles from where I am now. That's important because the closer I am, the easier it will be to maintain the relationship I have with my step kids. Real estate is cheap now. I have a decent job. It costs me about 15% of my net income just to own my non flying plane. My expenses will rise signifigantly on my own. I can afford it- but I could also use that money to provide myself a little greater financial security, and I'm not getting any younger. (52)
Part of me wants the burden of owning and owing to be lifted. I haven't flown since I sold my Mooney in 04/07 except for 2 rides. The local airport used to be a beehive of activity on the weekends, and was a great place to hang out. Since the gas went through the roof, and the economy tanked, it's been a ghost town. ( But I still can't get a hanger!!) I can always get another plane. Part of me says just hang on to it, I'll lose all the time I put into it, plus It's the plane I wanted. I'm sure I'll lose a good chunk of change as well, probably 20K if I sell it as is.
Whats a -7 worth at this point-
Airframe complete except for windshield (it's a slider) and front deck riveting.
IO-360 180hp, Hartzell cs prop. Nice panel 2 comms, 1 nav wa Garmin CDI
All the wiring is complete
Everything is new, and I've got about 76-80K invested.
I've had it looked at 4 times during the build by EAA techs, and comments are "Excellent Workmanship"
I hosted a chapter meeting here about a year or so ago, and heard nothing negative.
Chappyd <---- bummin' out this am.