Importing an Aircraft

Flashback to early April 2005 - almost two years ago! .... I had been waiting about six months for someone to buy my aircraft. My wife very wisely forbid me owning two aircraft at once. The sale of my Beech Baron would close in a few days, the new buyer's pre-purchase inspection had been completed, and I would just have to fly the Baron to Buttonville on 18 April and sign some papers.

I had resolved that my next airplane would be more fun to fly, less complex, a newer airframe with fewer hours and easier on the wallet at the gas pump. With the children at university, I no longer needed 5 or 6 seats.

I had wanted an Aviat Husky for about a year. I made a conditional offer on a used Husky in Idaho in February 2005, and expected to complete the purchase between 18 and 22 April. That Husky would be flown up to Toronto for an inspection, and then I would have to leave it there until it was re-registered as Canadian.

I learnt to fly at Rockliffe Flying Club (Ottawa) in 2000 and by 2005 I had just over 500 hours. This would be my third airplane purchase, and I was more excited this time than when I bought my first airplane. I was also working toward my instructor rating because that would give me a good reason to fly regularly and perhaps one day I could teach others to fly. The Husky would be both fun to fly and a great airplane to instruct in.

It seemed like I had about 20 balls in the air, with all of the money committed, inspections to coordinate and aircraft to move around.