diamondaviators.net

I guess most know about the death of the flight school founder by now and as well the unfortunate demise of the flight school. If not here are some details. A perfect storm involving the Chinese and a major mistake of some sorts. May those poor souls rest in peace.

http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2020/02/c ... l.html?m=0.

You will find the listing here:


https://www.barnstormers.com/category-1 ... craft.html

I couldn't see what it had to do with the Chinese.

Colin wrote: ↑Tue Apr 14, 2020 11:30 pm I couldn't see what it had to do with the Chinese.

Sort of, well very ironic. They depended on the Chinese as that was the vast majority of their customer base. We used to see them flying into KAND as they trained, flying from their home field. Then came the virus originating in China, and that put the final nails in. Very ironic and totally bizarre set of circumstances. I'm not creative enough to dream this up.

https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/communi ... ly.124875/

https://times-herald.com/news/2020/02/f ... ume-monday

Not completely clear what happened from the news article. Sounds like the Chinese airline customers pulled the students. From what I have seen locally, they drive prices down on a promise of large numbers of students. Flight schools (and airports) get mesmerized and build out facilities and fleets. I guess this is what happens when the music stops.

My old plane 8UB is in this fleet. Poor girl is a total mess. Very sad to see her in this shape.

As expected from when they closed early in March. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7224

I would inspect these airplanes very closely before buying. Falcon ran them hard and in my opinion, their maintenance was marginal.

Here in Oregon, Hillsboro Aviation has been riding a contract for several years giving flight training to Chinese students. They have an operation out of Redmond, OR and routinely use Prineville and Madras for their pattern work. While still operating, the amount of their traffic appears dramatically reduced. I'm guessing their training is likely limited to students that were already here when the travel restrictions were put in place. I would anticipate this school dropping to no activity any day, as I believe this business was 100% of their operation here.

Leading Edge (in Bend) has shut down flight school operations for the time being, which puts a strain on them, though the shop and FBO operations (Bend and Redmond) are still active, so that's a buffer for them.

Looks like my old airplane N720LM is in the group. Ironically that is now the second owner since I have owned the airplane that is now dead. Those airplanes are trashed. Makes me sad. but If I had the extra cash and thought there was going to be a market at the end of this I would buy all 5 and recondition them,

Notwithstanding the abuse that these planes have obviously experienced, at the right price they can probably be given new paint, engines, and interiors, although they do all seem to have significant airframe times.

I’m an attorney in Atlanta, so I am quite familiar with (what was) Falcon Aviation Academy, and I regularly deal with aviation related legal issues, so it occurred to me that if others on here want to explore the possibility of a corporate purchase of any/all of these planes, I would like to hear from you by PM.

Sandy

I’d be interested in a da40 if others want to get together and put an offer in. From our experience in 2008 - 2011, inventory from flight schools will go for a lot less than people think. supply is essentially unlimited and demand is 10% of what it was 1 short month ago. I bought my Da20 for $55k in 2010 or 11 from a bankrupt flight school, I was offered $130k for it 3 months ago and it’s prob worth $55k again for the next few years. Crazy.