Sharing a plane - Advice PLEASE

[Jabbanaught]

I own a Jabi430 , but have also bought a Gyro , which i enjoy flying . My problem is that i cannot fly both enough , and would rather go into partnership with the plane than the gyro . And the main reason is that i want to keep my PPL active .

So what should i be afraid of having a partner ?

How do you structure a deal like that ?

Any advice ?

Thanks

Paul

[Morph]

RV4ker is the best man to speak to about this

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Doubt that. But I'll have a go...

So what should i be afraid of having a partner ?

Partners wife Seriously sounds silly, but spouses cause huge fights and throw in a bit of egg'o and and all you need is mayo for ugly sandwich....). Beware the ouke who gets into partnership and his spouce does not approve or worse does not know about it.
Beware the slapgat. (ei. they break and don't tell you and often never fill the plane after use.. for eg).
This is a business relationship which could be risky (read fatal) if the partner stuff you around, so approach is as such. Address the risks and be realistic. (Ask Rod Smith about wheels up landing going "untold". Shorter prop and missing aerials - No 1 will notice I'll just pop the aerie back in the hangar no harm done). This is NOT the norm, but just be aware of it. Your best mate who is life and soul of every party MAY (I stress MAY) not be the best candidate as a partner. Similarly the anal bean counter who amortises every 5c over the expected life may be perfect partner from logistics point of view, but this flying thing is supposed to be fun NOT SO? Just go in with your eyes open. My wife keeps saying the flying crowd are a strange bunch and I think she may have a point. Judge your personality and try to find someone you "gell" with or alternatively someone you never have to gell with? I know some of the best partnerships around are those where the partners NEVER meet. They all lead their own lives and do things their own way. (eg 1 guy is airline jockey and other is business owner. The airline jockey flies all week and plays on the weekend. The businessman flies to his sites in the week and plays golf on the weekends. They have had very few booking clashes due to their different lives. PERFECT... Something to be said for that. They have a list of "rules" and these are followed and all are happy.... NEVER try to force your partners to do it like you do it. Accept diversity and live with it or don't get partners.... Simple, but once accepted makes partnership life far easier.... For eg If he knows it all and flies like a BOX but pays the bills and returns the plane serviceable every time what's the problem (other than don't fly with him and liase on email or sms..... )

How do you structure a deal like that ?

Simple is better IMHO. I had a 1 pager for most of mine if we had anything at all. I have had 2 verbal deals, but not recommended. I use CC since then you don't need to change everything at CAA every time there is change in partners.

Dead simple "agreement" - Something along the lines of partners own 50% of the aerie and are responsible for 50% of the capital and maintenance costs regardless of the cause of said maintenance. Partners are to have valid and current excess insurance to R20K. (To be provided to each partner and kept in aerie along with flight folio). Scheduling to be done 1 week in advance. 1 Party to get Dec and 1 party to get Jan each year alternating or as agreed prior. etc etc....

Address your fears now. NO 2 PARTNERSHIPS ARE THE SAME. Play the what if game, but be realistic. I fly 150+hrs a year and my aerie still spends all but maybe 5 hrs a week in the hangar. That is plenty hangar time.... BUT my aerie sleeps away from base 80% of the time which means it is not possible to give another party 50% access...

So answe questions like
How often do you go away
How often does your aerie sleep away from home.
Is your flying predominantly om die dam sleeps at home every night with occasional away trippie
Do you commute from A - B and need it at short notice often..
How critical is serviceability (Must be ready all the time for me alone)
Why do you want/need a partner. (Someone to share costs or someone to share joys of flying - Be careful it not the same thing)

Any advice ?

Plenty. (most of it K@K)
Formalise everything before it becomes a problem. Best advice I ever got was draw up the divorce papers before you get "married". That way all know how to get out if it becomes a problem. (We usually include a 30day 1st right of refusal to other partner on same terms and conditions as sale deal) Make sure you know how to dissolve the partnership before you get into it. Stick to the guidelines and be pedantic about maintenance and "neatness of the aerie.
ie ALWAYS keep refuelled and remove all your old cooldrink bottles and sweetie papers or sick bags. Sounds trivial but it leads to plenty frustration...
I force (maybe a hard word, lets say strongly encourage) that all parties have excess insurance cover. If excess is R20K and you have an oops, the other party has to come up with that before the plane can be repaired. Who of you can drop R20K today without blinking an eye. I cant'... so excess insurance at R200 a month is a bargain, since it ensures that the downtime for whatever reason is minimal and there are no additional delays. I have had a claim with DJ&A excess insurance and they pay. Best R200 a month I spend.

[AndyG]

Seems like a good go to me George

[Africa]

A plane is like your wife. you do not share either IMO

[AndyG]

A plane is like your wife. you do not share either IMO

That's not what your wife says to me Jamie

[Africa]

LOL thats great!! which wife are you refering to??

[AndyG]

Hey Mate, tongue in cheek, your lady always screams my name. When you coming for a visit? Would smark(remember that phrase) to see you again bud!!!

[Africa]

Planning a trip In June, so lock your fridges and hide your woman!! Jamie

[John Boucher]

Hi there Paul... Lets talk next weekend at Overberg!

[Jabbanaught]

Hi there Paul... Lets talk next weekend at Overberg!

Willdo John