Buying an airplane is the start of an ownership journey, not the end.
Once the airplane is yours (or even before) its time to start thinking about what is required to make your new plane the tool and toy you intended it to be. Every owner is different, but putting in the time up front will ensure you are ready for years of enjoyment of your new aircraft.
Ensure the next 5 items are complete to ensure you can enjoy your airplane and not feel lost with ownership.
Create a Checklist
Every new airplane needs a checklist that is uniquely crafted for the plane and pilot.
The POH is a great resource for your checklist, but often the aircraft you own today looks very little like the aircraft that came from the factory. It is up to you as the new owner to ensure you have checklists that match the configuration and avionics of your plane. Creating your checklist also ensures you have thoroughly considered how your systems work and operate together.
Get Training
A new airplane can be overwhelming, scary, and probably uninsurable until you have completed training.
Type or model specific training may be a requirement for insurance depending on the complexity and value of your airplane. Even if not explicitly required for insurance, getting initial training to practice using systems and gaining comfort for avionics is key to making your airplane a valuable tool. Additionally training can be a lot of fun and gives you an opportunity to plane how you will operate going forward.
Create your Supply List
A new airplane may not even be usable until you have the right things in the plane and hangar.
Now that you have a new plane, what do you need to carry inside? It could be tools, oil, covers, or even sunglasses. But making that list and ensuring your airplane (and hangar) are properly supplied can go a long way to making you and your passengers significantly more comfortable.
Plan a trip
Its easy to put off getting your plane ready if you don't have a deadline
After purchase give yourself some time but also set a date for a longer trip to ensure you are ready for future ownership. In the past a future trip has dictated how soon I got training, burned hours, bought supplies, and gave me a reason to push through on all the little things needed to get started as a new airplane owner.
Join an Organization
Having a group of similar owners and pilots to ask questions will be the best resource for a new owner.
General Aviation airplanes are on average older and older each year. There not many new or novel problems that have not been solved in the prior decades. Having an organization that is familiar with your model or type can help shortcut overcoming obstacles as they appear.
Create a unique checklist
Get the specific training
Supply your aircraft and hangar
Plan that trip
Join a model specific organization
Use this list to ensure you are ready to go with your new airplane.