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End of an era....

Joe Zuffoletto

By Joe Zuffoletto
in Miscellaneous Aviation Talk

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Joe Zuffoletto Mentor

Joe Zuffoletto

Posted
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After 30 years of flying, of which the last 15 were as an aircraft owner, I've decided it's time to leave aircraft ownership behind and move on to some other interests and priorities my wife and I have as we approach retirement.

 

I do so with decidedly mixed emotions. I've been flying my entire adult life; it's part of my fiber. My Mooney and RV-8 are two of the finest specimens of their kind and it will be tough to see them go. I still love to fly, but I no longer have enough missions to justify the expense of aircraft ownership. Maybe I'll rent from time to time, or bum rides with my flying buddies. It's truly the end of an era for me, but not the end of the world.  :)

 

Once the planes are gone I don't know how much I'll hang out here at MooneySpace or Vans Air Force, but I'm sure it will be much less than I do now. MooneySpace is by far my favorite aviation forum and it's been a real pleasure learning from other Mooney owners and sharing in their flying adventures. With very few exceptions I find the people on this forum to be an exceptionally classy bunch.

 

So, once the pictures are taken and the ad is posted online, you'll be seeing my post advertising a very sweet Acclaim Type S for sale. Maybe someone here will grab it, or maybe you'll be welcoming a new member to the community soon. In any event, keep the blue side up and thank you all for brightening my days and teaching me tons of new stuff about Mooneys and flying.

 

Cheers,

 

Joe

  • Like 1
fantom Grand Master

fantom

Posted
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Touche, for sure, Jim.

 

Best of luck to you Joe. Lots of Acclaims on the market, so if you'd like to trade, even up of course, for a cherry M20J, just let me know. :)

Joe Zuffoletto Mentor

Joe Zuffoletto

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Best of luck to you Joe. Lots of Acclaims on the market, so if you'd like to trade, even up of course, for a cherry M20J, just let me know. :)

 

Yeah, I don't expect the Acclaim to sell very fast and that's softening the blow a bit! 

Jeff_S Grand Master

Jeff_S

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I have heard it said that every pilot has a last flight. Sometimes you know it will be your last, and sometimes not. It's probably better to be in the former category (less messy, anyway).

 

But hey, I'm seriously quasi-interested in the RV-8.  My wife has already vetoed the second plane concept, but a guy can dream, can't he? Where can I see some pics?

Joe Zuffoletto Mentor

Joe Zuffoletto

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But hey, I'm seriously quasi-interested in the RV-8.  My wife has already vetoed the second plane concept, but a guy can dream, can't he? Where can I see some pics?

 

You can see specs and pics taken by the previous owner on his website. I'll PM the address to you.

fantom Grand Master

fantom

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I have heard it said that every pilot has a last flight.

 

Goes like this:

 

For a pilot, one of two really bad things will happen someday:

a. One day you'll walk out to the aircraft knowing that it's your last flight.

b. One day you'll walk out to the airplane not knowing it's your last flight.

Z W Experienced

Z W

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I can respect a thoughtfully made decision, and it seems you are thoughtful about this one.  But I don't understand it in your particular situation.  Going from two planes to zero, just for expenses?  Maybe you don't need to own a fire-breathing time machine like the Acclaim anymore, which I'm sure carries a hefty maintenance and insurance bill.  But there's a lot of "middle ground" between feeding a TN and a RV8 and not feeding any planes at all.

 

I can tell from your prior posts you love to fly.  Why not pick up a cheaper Mooney (C, E, or F)?  Or just keep the RV8?  I bet that would cut your monthly costs by 2/3, or even more considering opportunity cost of capital or interest on a loan for the TN, and you can still leave the earth behind whenever you want.

 

I understand hanging up the keys for medical issues, or if you've already got a "cheap" plane (hah) and just can't pay for it anymore.  But if that's not you, why give it up completely?  You may look back on that decision someday with regret, when the medical issues do finally come and you no longer have the option.

 

Just food for thought.  I've thought about giving it up, and decided it's a part of my life I don't want to let go.

  • Like 1
Hank Grand Master

Hank

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Remember: sightseeing, breakfast and visiting distant family and friends is still a mission!

Whatever your final decision is, and however you carry out your mission, always be safe and analyze the risks in advance.

Blue skies to you, and tailwinds if they will help. I've enjoyed your posts and videos from your dream Type S.

aerobat95 Mentor

aerobat95

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I wish you the best of luck and I agree with some of the other guys on the board....what about a cheap plane to get your fix or like someone said keep the RV-8.  I dread the day that I can no longer fly. 

N33GG Mentor

N33GG

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I feel your pain Joe.  Your post really hits a nerve with me.  I did the same thing after I had been flying 30 years.  Then I bought another airplane because I went into flying withdrawal.  Now I am at the 40 year mark, and have this debate in my head every day.  One of the options I am considering is an LSA.  I have had a great run of flying during the best of times in many awesome aircraft, and the Mooney C-Model I own now is way down on the back side of the curve in both performance and expense.  But the fact is, I have no reason to own a Mooney for any mission reasons at this point in my life, and the reality of costs does not make much sense for me. 

 

Good luck Joe, and I won't be far behind you.  On the other hand, if you reverse course like I did at the 30 mark, I will certainly be exiting before you.  You always have that option...  B)

flyboy0681 Grand Master

flyboy0681

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Touche, for sure, Jim.

 

Best of luck to you Joe. Lots of Acclaims on the market, so if you'd like to trade, even up of course, for a cherry M20J, just let me know. :)

 

And cherry it is.

 

But I think you have it wrong Joe. Retirement is the one time in your life that you should have a plane. No appointments to keep, no kids to watch over (hopefully) and time, precious time.

Joe Zuffoletto Mentor

Joe Zuffoletto

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Thanks to everyone for your kind and thoughtful comments. I feel like I'm being talked off a ledge!

 

The planes won't sell overnight. Maybe I'll have a change of heart in the meantime. We'll see.

 

Thanks again! You really are a great bunch of people.

 

Joe

rbridges Grand Master

rbridges

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I have heard it said that every pilot has a last flight. Sometimes you know it will be your last, and sometimes not. It's probably better to be in the former category (less messy, anyway).

 

But hey, I'm seriously quasi-interested in the RV-8.  My wife has already vetoed the second plane concept, but a guy can dream, can't he? Where can I see some pics?

Jeff, buy the rv8 and I'll be your new best friend. Lol

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