How to buy a Jet Warbird: The Golden Rule: DO NOT HURRY INTO JET OWNERSHIP. This is an absolutely certain way to get off on the wrong foot, with the wrong example of the wrong model for the wrong reasons. Trust us on this: If it takes less than a YEAR from the time you decide to enter the sport until you own a jet, you're hurrying. Here are our suggested steps: (1): Gain sufficient experience operating, as PIC, in a retractable landing gear, high performance aircraft of some other sort. It would be best if this were some other sort of Warbird (Yak-52, T-34, etc), but any sort of complex aircraft is fine. Even a Cessna 172RG, if flown precisely and accurately, will be good training. (2): Be REALLY proficient in that type. Make sure you can do steep turns within Private Pilot flight test standards, and make sure you can fly complete stall sequences to PTS Standards. You'll be doing it in a jet before long, and if you cannot do it in a light plane, you cannot do it in a jet. Hint: Doing these maneuvers to proficiency in a Cessna 172 is fine, and a LOT cheaper than doing it in the jet to begin with. (3): Make an attempt to go get a few hours of instruction In SOME jet. This does not need to be in the model jet you wish to buy. In fact, at this point it's probably best to NOT have a specific airplane in mind. Pay for INSTRUCTION, not a ride, and ask the Instructor (make sure he's properly qualified as an Authorized Instructor as per FAA Requirements) to offer constructive criticism on your abilities. This is your chance to see if you are up to the piloting skill requirements that will be needed, and with honest critique you'll have a good feel for the amount of training you'll need later. (4): Investigate the various models of jets that you are interested in. Restrict your first jet purchase to a Trainer category jet, that being a straight wing jet that was used as an Initial (not advanced) trainer. An L-29 is a Trainer. A two seat MiG-15 is not. A Fouga is a Trainer. A T-33, even though it has two seats, is not. Know the difference. (5): Fly a SELECTION of the models that you are interested in. Don't fly just one model and say "This is really cool!" ALL jets are cool to fly. You need to fly a few different models to get a feel as to how they are DIFFERENT. Each has its own personality. Fly a flight in each of at least three different models. (6): When you have decided on one type, start talking to operators (we'll help you find several for any model you desire), and then go get FULLY TRAINED AND RATED in that model. We suggest that you get fully rated BEFORE you select a particular airplane for purchase. During the training, you'll learn a lot about the particular model, and will be in an excellent position to then evaluate the various ones offered to you for sale. Yes, you'll pay to rent a jet for training. Trust us: You'll save the same amount when you buy your airplane as you'll be able to close a deal faster, and time = money when it comes to buying airplanes. (7): Look at several different examples of the model you want to buy. Some will look great. Others might be a bit doggy, but may fly perfectly. Some might be real dogs. After you select one for real consideration, hire a professional to do a pre-purchase mechanical inspection. DO NOT take your local General Aviation mechanic with you, as he probably doesn't have a clue as to what to look for. Don't accept the word of the owners' mechanic, as he has a huge conflict of interest (although in the case of and airplane based at a large specialty Warbird shop, with a good reputation, you might temper this a bit). Annual Inspections provided by the seller are worthless: If a jet is out of annual, negotiate a discount and pay to have your own inspection done after you buy it. This is the only way to have a mechanic looking out for YOUR interests. (8): Have someone knowledgeable do an audit of the Logbooks, FAA Operating Limitations, Aircraft Approved Inspection Program, and Life Limited Parts List. This requires VERY specialized knowledge and again, your local A&P will be totally lost in these areas. We will be happy to do this for you as we are experts in the subject. An hour spent with the FAA paperwork can mean the difference between flying it the day you get it home, and being grounded for 6 months at your new home base. 9: Get an hour of instruction in YOUR jet, so you feel comfortable, and take an Instructor along to move the Jet to your new Home-Base. And lastly 10: HAVE FUN and BURN FUEL! If you diligently follow these ten steps, you'll be a safe and successful entrant into the sport. Red Star Aviation specializes in assisting prospective owners in every one of these steps. Just ask us to help, and we'll be pleased to make sure you are sent to the right people in every area. Since we do not sell airplanes, insurance, parts, or mechanical work, nor do we receive any commissions on referrals, we are wholly obligated to one person only: YOU.   How NOT to buy a Jet Warbird: (1): Be in a hurry. Buy on impulse. You KNOW you want it, right? The seller will agree! (2): Don't bother to research various models, since they are all the same. (3): Never pay for orientation flights, since you will not be flying that model anyhow, and it's a waste of money to gain varied experience. If someone does give you a ride, don't offer to pay anything towards airplane maintenance or operation. (4): Don't flight train or get a rating before you buy a jet, since it'll be cheaper to train in yours (assuming that it doesn't break). (5): Buy your jet from EBay because it's a "Good Deal". Haggle a lot. Waste every other sellers time asking questions about their jet, since the guy selling on EBay will not talk to you on the phone (he's smarter than that). (6): Put pressure on everyone that you meet, from seller to mechanics to your Instructor to "Do it now:" because you cannot wait to get your jet home and flying. Since you make a lot of money, keep your instructor waiting while you wheel and deal, and make sure that when he's trying to teach you that you impress him by taking a huge number of cellphone calls. (7): Make sure you are not a proficient pilot before you begin training, and plan that since you did steep turns and stalls when you got your Private Pilots license you'll never need to do them again. (8): Bitch at your instructor when he doesn't sign you off for a flight test after three flights. The fact that you cannot talk on the radio, don't know which side of the hold-short line to wait at, nearly stalled your jet while trying to make steep turns, and get lost in the traffic pattern mean little. Your Family is waiting for jet rides, and by gosh: You need to be checked out TODAY! (9): Fire your Flight Instructor when he offers constructive criticism and go find another one. After all, if you're not learning quickly, it must be his fault. If you are a lawyer, threaten to sue. That will teach him to play by your rules! (10): Nickel and Dime everything. Always try to negotiate an extra dollar off of everything you need to pay for. Complain to your instructor about his fees. Complain to the FBO about the cost of fuel and hangar. Never tip the line-service guys when they stand in the cold fueling your jet. Never say "Thank You" to anyone. You're a big-shot jet owner, so you don't need to be polite. Follow these rules and enjoy the results. Guys like this don't enjoy their jets, aren't well liked by anyone, and are the sorts of guys that the good guys steer clear of. They end up with a jet sitting in the hangar, and in a few years they sell them and move on. All we can say is this: "Nothing is Wasted: At the very least, It can always be used as a bad example for others to avoid&ldots;." Believe us when we tell you that we have seen people act like this. This week. Really!