From Renting to Owning: The Ahrens Family’s Journey to Their Piper Cherokee Six

Bill Ahrens is the second generation of a three-generation family of aviators. “My father got his pilot’s license when he was younger here in St. Louis, back in the 1930s when Lambert Field was basically a round disc of grass—just a round airport, no pavement.” Bill himself has been flying sporadically for 40 years, accumulating over 400 flight hours along the way. And along the way, always renting.

Now that his adult son also has his private pilot license, the two families enjoy flying places together, Bill renting a C-172 and his son renting another C-172 to accommodate the whole brood. “We’d have a family gathering type of thing, and either one or the other plane would be canceled, and that was discouraging.”

So Bill, his wife, and his son decided to invest in their own airplane. “We’re basically six adults and one child,” Bill said. That’s why he chose to purchase a 1968 Piper Cherokee Six. “The minivan of the sky,” he added.

The journey started in early 2025, with father and son putting money aside for a down payment. “What I like about AOPA Finance—as a person new to buying—they provided me with a valuation report.” That report helped Bill negotiate the asking price in his favor. “The valuation report was a really good tool for us.”

AOPA Finance also recommended that Bill get a pre-purchase inspection. Bill’s pre-buy inspection uncovered 26 items, nine of which were considered safety of flight issues. “That was one of the price reductions of the airplane that I negotiated.”

Bill also took advantage of AOPA’s Legal Services to help him set up an LLC for his airplane. “It was amazing how quick [it was]. I thought it was going to be very difficult. They give you lawyers in your local area who can set up this LLC. And it was a very good experience doing that.”

The entire process was quick. “It took us only four weeks from offer to delivery.” And according to Bill, part of that was because the owner took a couple of weeks to get back to him.

Overall, Bill had a very positive experience. “I highly recommend using AOPA Finance. They’re all very nice. If the person that you’re dealing with is not there, they give you another person to fill in.”

His final recommendation? “Get a pre-approval. Subscribe to Legal Services and get insurance quotes. Use an escrow company. And if you’re seriously looking to buy an airplane, hurry up and look at the airport you want to be at and get a hangar, or at least get on the list for a hangar.”

Great advice. Great rates. Helpful and responsive reps you can trust. Three good reasons to turn to AOPA Aviation Finance when you are buying or refinancing an airplane. If you need a dependable source of financing with people who are on your side, just call 800.62.PLANE (800.627.5263), or click here to request a quote.