Well, folks, been a while since I shared a bit of what’s been going on. Today’s tale is about the journey of putting my Co50 Valkyrie up for sale. Yeah, you heard that right. It wasn’t a snap decision, let me tell you. More like a slow burn, a lot of back and forth in my own head.
So, Why Did I Even Get a Valkyrie?
I remember when I first got my hands on the Co50. Man, what a machine. Sleek lines, that promise of speed and freedom. I’d spent years, saving up, getting my ratings, dreaming about those long cross-country flights. The Valkyrie, it was supposed to be the plane. The one that would take me places, literally and figuratively. I pictured myself hopping over to visit friends in other states on a whim, seeing the country from a perspective most folks never get. My kids were younger then, thought maybe we’d do some awesome family trips. Those were the days, full of big plans.
The Turning Point – Deciding to Sell
Life, as it often does, threw a few curveballs. The kids got older, got their own lives, their own sports, their own things. My work got more demanding. And honestly, my back isn’t what it used to be for those super long hauls. The Valkyrie started spending more time in the hangar than in the air. And let me tell you, these things, they don’t like to just sit. They need to fly. Plus, the cost of keeping her – hangar fees, insurance, the annuals – it all adds up, you know? It started to feel less like a joy and more like a really expensive, really beautiful paperweight. So, after a lot of soul-searching, I figured it was time for someone else to enjoy her, someone who’s got the time and the zest I once had.
The Nitty-Gritty: Getting Her Market-Ready
Okay, so deciding is one thing. Actually doing it is a whole other ball game.
- Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork: First thing I did was gather up all the logs. Every single one. Maintenance records, engine logs, airframe logs. Made sure everything was up to date, signed off. This isn’t like selling an old lawnmower; buyers, serious ones anyway, they want to see everything. And they should!
- A Good Detailing: Then, gave her a proper clean. Not just a quick wash. I mean, inside and out. Polished the paint, cleaned the upholstery. Wanted her looking her absolute best. You know, first impressions and all that.
- The Listing Itself: This was tricky. You don’t just stick a “For Sale” sign on a Co50 Valkyrie and park it by the road. I looked at specialist aviation sales websites. Took a bunch of photos – good ones, showing all the angles, the panel, the engine. Wrote up a description. Had to be honest about the hours, the condition, any little quirks. No point trying to hide stuff, it all comes out in the pre-buy anyway.
- Dealing with Inquiries: And then the waiting game. Got a few emails. Some were clearly just dreamers, tire-kickers as they say. You learn to spot them. But then, a couple of serious folks reached out. Asked good questions. We talked on the phone. Arranged a viewing for one guy who seemed pretty knowledgeable.
The Pre-Buy Inspection Ordeal
The serious buyer, he wanted a pre-buy inspection, of course. Flew in his own mechanic. That was a tense few days, not gonna lie. You think you know your plane, but when someone else is going over it with a fine-tooth comb, you can’t help but feel a bit anxious. Luckily, she’s been well maintained. They found a couple of tiny things, nothing major. We negotiated a bit on that, which is normal.
Letting Go
And then, it was done. Funds cleared, paperwork signed over. Watching her taxi away with the new owner… well, it was a strange feeling. A mix of relief, because the process was over, and a definite pang of sadness. Like closing a chapter, you know? That Valkyrie represented a certain dream, a certain part of my life.
But hey, that’s how it goes. Now I’ve got a bit more room in the hangar, and a bit more in the bank. Maybe I’ll look into something smaller, simpler down the line. Or maybe I’ll just enjoy having my feet on the ground for a while. Who knows? What I do know is that selling a plane like that, it’s an experience. You learn a lot about the machine, about people, and yeah, about yourself too. It was quite the practice, that’s for sure.