[Dantilla]

I rented 150/152s to get my license. Because of the flying experience I had due to flying a bunch as a kid with my dad, I spent less than most.

I recently entered my second partnership in an airplane, and offer the following rambling thoughts:
- Know your partner. We've never argued about who gets the plane when, or debated maintenance issues. We both expect the plane to be maintained to pretty much perfect standards.
-Know how your parner flies. I totally trust my investment in the hands of my partner. I know how careful he is, and how well he treats the equipment. Careful engine management. We both keep the airplane neat and tidy. Bug guts are cleaned off quickly. No oil streaking back along the belly. Staying current.
-My wife likes the idea of paying for half of a really nice airplane as opposed to what I would feel comfortable with on my own.
-You may want to discuss an exit strategy up front. If one partner is a gadget freak, and keeps insisting on spending a bunch on the latest avionics, while the other partner is happy flying with basic instruments, you may want to part ways, and each find a new partner with similar goals.

My first partnership was a great success. After several years my partner had two kids in college, and had little time to fly, so we sold the airplane, at a profit. Right before the engine was at TBO.

My new partnership is also going extremely well.

Two people is nice. Several times we have been asked if we would like to have a third member. After a short discussion, the answer is no. With two, both get plenty of time to fly, and there are no scheduling issues. We also want to insure that the airplane is flown and treated the way we expect. And the difference in paying for half of an annual vs. a third is not a big enough difference to be a serious factor.

As long as the partners think somewhat alike, have easygoing personalities, and have adequate checkbooks, it's truely the best way to get into airplane ownership.