There are around 1,000 private owned classic military jets in the United States and even more throughout the rest of the world. There are more and more people looking into buying a fighter jet of their very own.

While most of us will never have enough money to make this a reality, it is possible.  As new models of fighter jets are released, the older ones get decommissioned, allowing them to be sold off to the general public.

Before making such a big purchase, there are a few things you should know about owning a fighter jet.

1. It’s Easy if You Have Money

Like most things in life, you can buy a fighter jet reasonably straightforward as long as you can pay for it. There are a lot of MIG-21’s that are up for sale in the U.S. you can also import them.

A MIG-21 that is in good enough condition to still fy can be found for around $70,000, while a MIG-29 in flying condition can be found for approximately $5 million. It’s essential that when you are making a purchase this big that you get your aircraft appraised.

2. You Might Not Be Able to Fly It

Luckily, most people who are looking into buying a fighter jet are looking to collect it. It would make an impressive conversation piece.

The odds of actually being about to fly your fighter jet after buying are not that great. The MIG-21 is one of the ones that are easier to maintain and to operate. The F-16, on the other hand, is what most people think of when they hear fighter jet, and it’s next to impossible for you to fly after purchase. Have you ever tried to get teenager insurance on to say a Ferrari? The coverage on a military jet will be even harder to come by, much less afford.

3. They Come Stripped

Sorry to disappoint you, but when you buy a fighter jet, most of the fighter will have already been stripped out of it. Even though they are decommissioned, and better technology is being used in the new jets, the military isn’t going to give civilians access to military weapons.

4. It’s Hard to Buy American Made

If you want an American made fighter jet like the F-16 or F-4, it’s going to be a little difficult for you to get in the U.S.

The U.S. Airforce used to sell jets to the public when they no longer needed them. Now with the fear of terrorism and arms embargos, they have stopped doing that.

If your heart is set on an American Made jet, you can buy them from countries who’ve used American planes and import it back to the U.S.

Look into Buying a Fighter Jet

Buying a fighter jet isn’t all that hard once you know some of the facts. It does take a lot of money, and you might have to import your aircraft depending on what model you want. But it can be an excellent addition to any collection that you have.

Buying a fighter jet is not a small purchase by any means. If you want to learn more about the pricing and how much the plane you wish to buy is actually worth, contact us.