How AOPA Helped Mitch Clark’s Vintage Dream Take Flight

AOPA member Mitch Clark has been flying since 1986, when he was a student at Metro State University in Colorado. “Boulder is a good place to learn to fly because it’s tricky with crazy winds and thermals and glider traffic. It was really good long-term life experience, as far as unexpected conditions that you have to deal with, in the moment.”

His flight school owned four tailwheel airplanes, so he was checked out in all of them before he even achieved his private pilot license. Clark had intended to become a professional pilot, but a bad economy got in the way of that dream. He went on to become a successful cabinetmaker who flies for fun. The now 1800-hour, VFR private pilot has owned a few planes. Most recently, he purchased a 1941 Waco UPF-7 through AOPA Finance.

“There’s something special about this one because my dad, well, he had a Waco UPF-7 in the late 50s, early 60s. His airplane was serial #32022. Mine is serial #32005, just 17 numbers apart. They were on the assembly line at the same time!”

Clark never assumed he’d be able to get into a Waco because of how expensive they are to acquire. But after the price of one he’d had his eye on for about six months continued to creep down into “the realm of achievable,” Clark decided to try. “Thanks to AOPA Finance who made it really easy and straightforward to do it.”

The whole transaction took less than six weeks, despite the aircraft being a vintage WWII-era airplane.

Getting the financing lined up took less than two weeks from the first call to the time his loan was approved because Clark arranged financing with AOPA Finance first and then approached the seller. “It was very expeditious and very straightforward. Thankfully, with well-restored vintage airplanes, they typically hold their value.” 

There was only one point where Clark became troubled. “I was thinking, ‘This is going to blow up,’ because there was a partial lien on [the Waco]. Turned out it was some scam from way back. We actually got that cleaned up pretty easily. ”

Clark’s advice to others? “Just kind of having your ducks in a row from figuring out what all expectations are probably going to be. And do the escrow. I had never done anything in escrow like that before, neither had the sellers—and there were three sellers! That was another little twist in the whole deal, but AOPA Finance made it straightforward for everybody.”

Great advice. Great rates. From helpful and responsive reps you can trust. Three good reasons to turn to AOPA 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.