NO MORE A first step into aircraft ownership BY JILL W. TALLMAN RENTER The author with 7301J, a 1964 Piper Cherokee 140. Flying a vintage airplane manufactured by a company with a long and storied history can be part of the enjoyment of having your own airplane. YOU KNOW THOSE “WIN ME” AIRPLANE RAFFLES that groups around the country hold from time to time? The ones where they sell only 2,500 tickets to assure you a better chance of winning? I’ve bought a couple of those tickets. You know the airplane that EAA raffles off at AirVenture each year? The one with the announcer who hawks the tickets over a loudspeaker? I’ve bought more than a couple of those tickets. I’m not eligible to win any AOPA sweepstakes airplane, although I’ve coveted each one. Wishing and hoping, however, only get you so far. A better financial situation combined with a soft used-aircraft market took ownership from the realm of fantasy to a reality for me. I took the plunge and bought an airplane last year, and I’d like to offer PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS ROSE AOPA PILOT • 85 • SEPTEMBER 2011