You never know what’s round the corner

Well, you don’t do you? I thought that I’d try a two-pronged attack after my recent buying experience by placing a ‘wanted’ ad in the UK as well as looking out for a suitable new aircraft. It’s been quite effective, as I’ve had quite a few possibles put through to me and they are still coming in. One that I got in almost immediately after placing the ad and which I was very interested in, was then put up on AFORS and sold within 24 hours, so it was obviously as good as it looked. But it’s now gone, so I thought that I’d stop trying to hurry things and just see what turned up. And waddayouknow, I’ve received two rather nice surprises 🙂

Another X-Air I got through yesterday looked pretty much along the lines I’m aiming for – not very much permit left and a price that reflects that – so I’ve asked the seller for some pictures and more information. Very encouraging, and I can’t wait to see what comes through as a result.

But what’s even more encouraging is that after looking out for suitable aircraft for weeks here in France and finding more or less nothing in that time, something has popped up right out of the blue which has really caught my attention. Here’s a pic of it taken from the advertisement.

It’s a 1999 582 model with only 400 total hours on it and only 30 hours since overhaul on its blue top engine. The sellers, as I know they are having contacted them and spoken to one of them, are two instructors and have only used it for a few hours per year giving ‘baptemes de l’air’, or pleasure flights, to the public during the summer months. They describe it as being in perfect condition, as it would have to be to fulfil the function it has been doing, and they say that in recent years they have dismantled it each winter to thoroughly check, clean and lubricate it and replace anything that needed changing. This year they have decided to sell it with a number of spares etc due to having nowhere to hangar or store it over the winter months and they are offering it at what they describe as a ‘very interesting price’. And it certainly is, working out at only £4400 after converting it from euros to pounds-sterling!

Wim has said it’s obviously too good to be true and maybe it is, but I’ll never know unless I see it. So that’s what I’m going to be doing this Sunday. The sellers are delighted and have given me first refusal on it in case any other possible buyers come out of the woodwork and one of the reasons why they suggested this week-end was so I would get a chance to fly it, which I think is a good sign for starters. It’s based up in Bretagne (Brittany) so I’ll probably be looking for somewhere to stay the night up there and making the drive up on Saturday after having been flying during the day with Victor. I must say, I’m rather looking forward to this week-end and between now and then, I also have the pleasure to look forward to of having Wim and Regis round for a few beers tomorrow. Call it a boys’ night in if you like, and I won’t take bets on what the main topic of conversation will probably turn out to be 😉