Quote Originally Posted by Auburntsts View Post
The aircraft market is not the same as cars, motorcycles, or boats. While it is possible to make money on a sale, don't count on it. Restorations cost money and it's difficult to recoup anything beyond market value. IOW the cost of restoration can easily exceed what the market will bear.

As others have stated, frankly, your mission parameters have some mutually exclusive elements based upon the aircraft listed.

Go get your medical and complete your training--IMO it's better to get this out of the way up front rather than trying to do it concurrently, although it really helps you are retired. Getting back to flying will really help you fine tune your mission requirements which will in turn help you narrow down your aircraft search.

Getting an A/P to come to your house to oversee your project may or may not be problematic-- just depends on who you know and how remote your house is.

In many ways restoration can be way more challenging and time consuming than building from scratch--just saying. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss building a kit or from plans as it can expand the airframes that could meet your stated mission requirements.
Well presented. You make several valid points. Do I expect to make money on a restoration? No. I tend to over-restore my projects and seldom break even. Do I want to have a finished project that holds it's value with the possibility of appreciation? Yes.

Secondly, I started out looking at kits hoping to find an unfinished project I could finish. Seemed like a Kitfox IV with a 100hp Rotax and the wide cockpit might be an affordable option. I will keep my options open regarding vintage and kits until I can get some flight time and enjoy many more conversations. I am also not locked into a tail-dragger.

I also need to decide if I will ever have a passenger in this plane. My lovely wife has never been on the back of one of my motorcycle and a plane won't be much different. Thinking about it, I hate hauling passengers on my bikes because it ruins the performance of the motorcycle. Again, extra weight in a plane is even worse.

I guess it is time to get back in shape. Every pound I lose will show up in performance for a light plane. Thanks for the candid advice. Please keep the suggestions coming.

Brock