assistant: In the United States, there are several options for buying a plane, and several things you need to consider before buying a plane.

1. **Up-Front Costs**: Consider the up-front costs for buying a plane. Most ultralight aircrafts, or single-seat, single-engine recreational planes can cost anywhere between $8,000 and $15,000. Single engine planes that hold two or more people can go anywhere between $15,000 and $100,000, but are still more economical to operate and maintain than multi-engine recreational planes, which could cost you anywhere between $75,000 and $300,000. Whatever plane you consider, you should keep a maintainable financial situation whether you plan to either finance your purchase or pay up-front.
2. **Storage**: When you're not using your plane, or before you get a fliers' license, you'll have to plan a location to store the vehicle. If you have a larger budget or you plan to get a larger plane, you may wish to rent a hangar. Costs for storing a small plane in a hangar typically run at around $250-$350 per month, with an extra $100 up-front for tiedown gear. An outside tiedown location may be preferable, but you will need an area to store the plane, as well as previously mentioned tiedown gear and a cover to protect your aircraft from the elements.
3. **Maintenance**: As per a recommendation from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), you should consider establishing an escrow fund for propeller, avionics, airframe and engine repairs, as well as regular oil changes around once every four months or every 50 hours of flight time. Small aircraft are required to undergo an annual inspection, which can cost, per year, an average of $600 to $1,200, with additional inspection costs paid to inspect specialized retractable landing gear.
4. **Insurance**: Aviation insurance agencies cover aircraft damage ranging from in-flight damage to external damage. Ultimately the cost and range of insurance will depend on the insurance provider and the experience of the operator, but you can expect insurance premiums to be somewhere between $500 and several thousand dollars per year. Generally, it's considered best to consult a licensed aviation insurance agent before settling on any one insurance option.
5. **Fuel and Landing Costs**: When flying, you need to consider the fueling costs of your plane. Typically you can expect plane fuel to run around $5 per gallon, with the capacity of a tank varying with airplane model. The average small plane burns around 5-10 gallons per hour, which means your cost of flying will be around $25-$50 per hour. Also notable is the landing costs of a small plane which, depending on the airport and whether you will be renting hanger space, can range from no cost at all, rather charging for the use of gates and check-in facilities, to a cost that is determined by weight of plane, to a flat fee for different classes of airplane. You should look up the landing fees for airports you may plan to land at regularly, and build a budgetary plan that considers this.

Whatever you decide to do, it's important to remember to be safe while flying at all times, and to ensure that you have the proper certifications, should you plan to fly the plane. If there's anything else you want to ask about owning a plane in the United States, feel free to ask 😊

prompter: Where can I get the plane?

assistant: Owning a plane can be a complex task in the United States. First, you need the proper licensing. The FAA provides different types of licensing depending on the plane you plan on flying. You will then need to train with an instructor to get the type rating for the plane. You need to procure the funds to purchase or lease the aircraft. Then you will need to register the aircraft with the FAA to operate it. This can require the aircraft to get inspected to make sure it's worthy of flying. Next, insurance is required, which will protect you against liability. After that, you need to find a airport to house your aircraft as well as finding a mechanic who can do repairs and keep up with inspections. As you can see, owning a plane is a significant investment. It requires a lot of time, training and money.

prompter: What do I need to do to get the proper licensing ?

assistant: To get the proper licensing for a plane in the US, you must meet certain requirements such as being at least 17 years old and having a third-class medical certificate. You must also complete ground school, flight training, and logbook endorsements. After completing your training and receiving the required endorsements, you must pass aeronautical knowledge and practical tests to get your license. Additionally, starting May 7, 2025, all travelers will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license or an acceptable form of identification to fly within the US. For more information on flying in the US, you can visit USA.gov which provides safety information, security requirements, rules for flying with children, safety records of airlines, turbulence information and more.

assistant: The easiest way would be to go to the nearest airport and ask around. Find a Flight Instructor who's personality is a good match for you. Part 61 and Part 141 (sections of the Federal Aviation Regulations that set standards for flight training), don't really matter too much. Go for your Private Pilot Certificate. Plan on spending around $10,000 - $12,000. It will, on average, take 3-6 months to get your pilot certificate. Have fun!