A typical trip for Youngwirth is to fly from Tulsa to Norman, Oklahoma, for “a great breakfast at Ozzie’s diner” or to Ponca City for “awesome Enrique’s Mexican food.” Youngwirth said he looks forward to flying to see family and friends in Denver; Hot Springs, Arkansas; Austin, Texas; and Rockford, Illinois. “I was born in Oshkosh so a trip to Wittman Field is definitely on the bucket list,” he added.
When Youngwirth decided to buy an airplane, he turned to his flight instructor for help. “I trained on a G1000-equipped 172 at Tulsa Riverside Airport [RVS] through the Tulsa Community College program. I have had a seven-year flying relationship with my CFI Mark Stevens,” he explained. “Besides his calm teaching skills, Mark has been a great sounding board of things to consider when purchasing an airplane.”
Youngwirth took his time making the purchase decision. One thing he knew for sure is that he wanted a high-wing airplane. He has flown both high- and low-wing aircraft, but said, “I prefer high-wing. It is a feeling of more stability for me.”
For two years, he reviewed the weekly emails from Controller.com on airplanes for sale to figure out the amenities he wanted and what he could afford. When a G1000-equipped Cessna 182 became available in Mesa, Arizona, that fit his budget and needs, he and Stevens flew to Arizona to buy it. “What a beautiful trip!” Youngwirth said. “We stopped in Tucumcari [TCC] to top off fuel – friendly service.”
To finance his airplane, Youngwirth turned to AOPA Aviation Finance. “AOPA is a fantastic resource of information for everything to do with flying,” he said. Because this was his first airplane purchase, AOPA helped him walk through all the things to consider—financing documents, possible lenders, title and escrow company, creating an LLC, and insurance. “It was a very efficient process to submit personal financial documentation to a secure website. I was kept informed along the way with clarifications and my questions were always answered,” he said. Now, four months since the purchase was complete, Youngwirth said, “There hasn’t been any additional issues after the closing—no surprises. It was a very professional process.”
He would “100-percent recommend AOPA Finance to a pilot friend.” As for his dream of aircraft ownership coming true, he said, “I created the goal, made a plan, and acted on that plan.”
Great rates. Great terms. Helpful and responsive reps. Three good reasons to turn to AOPA Aviation Finance when you are buying an airplane. If you need a dependable source of financing with people who are on your side, just call 800.62.PLANE (75263) or click here to request a quote.
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