| OWNERSHIP | when you are Keeping your aircraft in flying condition B Y K O L L I N S TA G N I T O PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE FIZER AND CHRIS ROSE OH, THE JOY OF OWNING YOUR OWN AIRCRAFT! After purchasing and triumphantly relocating your airplane to its new tiedown or hangar, your friends observe happy pilot and airplane launching into the sky with regularity. This routine will often continue until the aircraft is sold; however, sometimes our once-beloved airplanes are flown less frequently over time. Tires begin to go flat; a bird's nest appears under the cowl; and the ailerons are left to flap in the breeze. Although there are many reasons an aircraft may go unused for a period of time-work and family commitments, finances, and health, to name a few-waiting too long between flights or visits to the airport could lead to your airplane becoming unairworthy. Just as pilots need some level of proficiency to remain safe to fly, our aircraft require a minimum level of ongoing care to remain safe to fly, too. In the worst case, deferred maintenance could lead to your airplane not being ready to fly when you are. How can you prevent your joy of aircraft ownership from turning into a frustrating waste of money? A few essential steps can help keep your aircraft ready to launch on its next adventure. AOPA EMAIL kollin.stagnito@aopa.org OWNERSHIP is an occasional series in AOPA Pilot. What topics would you like to see covered? aopa.org/pilot AOPA PILOT | 75http://www.aopa.org/pilot