Find
Define and search
Start with your mission and budget, then search and source the aircraft that fit.
- Mission and budget
- Search and sourcing
- Equipment and market-value comparison
BUY AN AIRCRAFT
The right aircraft. The right price.
One flat fee.
The Mile High $5,280 Buyer Advantage
Josh finds the best overall value for how you fly and what you want to spend, then guides you through inspection, negotiation and closing.
Buyer pricing
The Mile High $5,280 Buyer Advantage
The same terms as sellers: $500 to start, credited toward a $5,280 total, with a 120-day search agreement. The goal is the best value for your mission, not simply the cheapest airplane.
Help me find my aircraft$5,280Total Timberline
brokerage fee
brokerage fee
- To get started
- $500, credited
- Remaining after credit
- $4,780
- Search agreement
- 120 days
- Additional Timberline commission
- None
Third-party escrow, title, inspection and financing charges are separate and not included in the $5,280.
Best value, not lowest price
The cheapest airplane is rarely the best deal.
Two aircraft with the same asking price can be worlds apart. Josh compares what really drives value and cost of ownership, so you buy with your eyes open.
- 01Condition
Paint, interior, corrosion and how the aircraft has been stored and flown.
- 02Maintenance history
Logbooks reviewed with specialists who know the type.
- 03Engine time
Hours since overhaul and what the next overhaul will cost you.
- 04Avionics
What's installed, what's current, and what upgrades would cost.
Plus the total cost of ownership: insurance, hangar, annuals and reserves often matter more than the purchase price.
How it works
Josh guides every step.
Evaluate
Verify and negotiate
Know exactly what you're buying, and pay the right price for it.
- Maintenance history review with specialists
- Negotiation on your behalf
- Independent pre-buy inspection, coordinated
Close
Finance and close
Josh coordinates the paperwork and the people so closing goes smoothly.
- Financing and lender coordination
- Aviation escrow and title, on every purchase
- Closing support
Escrow and title coordination is standard on every purchase; it reduces risk but can't guarantee clear title. Third-party escrow, title, inspection and financing charges are separate.
Your broker
Josh Schwartz
A pilot and owner who personally guides every transaction. Josh knows what to look for because he's been on both sides of the deal, and he flies the same Colorado skies you do.
~1,000Flight hours
Single & multiEngine ratings
IFR & tailwheelInstrument rating, tailwheel endorsement
7Aircraft owned
$7,000Example negotiated savings
How the fee can pay for itself. Say an aircraft is listed at $200,000 and Josh negotiates it to $193,000. That's $7,000 saved, or $1,720 more than the $5,280 fee, before third-party costs. This is an illustration only; every negotiation is different and results aren't guaranteed.
Program terms
Four months of dedicated representation.
The same simple terms apply to sellers and buyers.
When the 120 days start
Your 120 days begin once all three are in place:
- A signed brokerage agreement
- The $500 deposit
- The information Josh needs to get started
The $500 deposit
- Nonrefundable, and credited toward the $5,280 total.
- If your aircraft goes under contract within the 120 days, the credit stays in place even if closing happens later.
- If nothing is under contract within the 120 days, the deposit expires.
- Once your agreement is signed, you can pay the deposit online.
What 120 days means
It's the target for getting under contract, not a guarantee of a sale or purchase.
What's not included
There are no additional Timberline fees. Third-party costs, such as inspections, escrow, title and financing, are separate and paid to those providers.
Sellers · to contract
60–75 daysOften, depending on the aircraft and the market.
Sellers · contract to close
2–3 weeksTypical, once a buyer's inspection and escrow are underway.
Buyers · to contract
About 30 daysA typical goal once your mission and budget are set.
Timelines are estimates based on experience, not guarantees. This page summarizes the program; the signed brokerage agreement sets out the full terms, including payment timing, cancellation and extensions.
Buyer's guide
Start with the mission, not the listing.
The best airplane is the one that fits how you actually fly. Here's an honest look at the aircraft people ask Josh about most: what each does well, and what to know before you buy.
- 01Who's coming along?
Seats on paper and seats with full fuel are different numbers. Plan around your real load.
- 02How far, how often?
Weekend $100 hamburgers and regular business trips call for very different airplanes.
- 03Where will you land?
Long paved runways, grass strips, or mountain backcountry each favor a different design.
- 04What will it cost to keep?
Insurance, hangar, annuals and engine reserves often matter more than the purchase price.
Single-engine piston
One engine, simpler life.
Most private owners fly singles, and for good reason. A modern, well-kept single is reliable, efficient and far less expensive to own.
- Lower purchase, fuel, insurance and maintenance costs
- One engine to overhaul and one set of systems to learn
- Huge choice, from trainers to 175-knot travelers
- Rated with a private certificate; complex or high-performance endorsements as needed
The right choice for most pilots and most missions.
Twin-engine piston
Two engines, more capability.
A twin adds speed, payload and redundancy, especially for night, weather and long trips. It also adds cost, training and responsibility.
- More useful load and cruise speed; often better equipped for IFR
- Requires a multi-engine rating and recurrent training
- Two engines to maintain and two overhauls to budget for
- Insurers typically want multi-engine time before they'll quote well
Worth it when the mission truly needs it, and you'll stay current.
5,000+ ftFront Range field elevations
Altitude changes how an airplane flies. Our airports sit about a mile up, and on a hot summer day the air is even thinner. Engines make less power, takeoffs take longer, and climbs are slower. A plane that feels lively at sea level can feel tired here. More horsepower, a constant-speed prop or a turbocharger helps, and so does not loading it to the limit. Twins feel it too: if one engine quits on a hot day, the other may barely hold altitude. Josh can help you find an airplane that performs well here, not just on paper.
Browse
Everyday & familySingle · High wing
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
Cessna · 1956 to present
The most-built airplane in history, and the easiest one to own.
- Seats
- 4
- Gear
- Fixed
- Power
- 145–180 hp
- Cruise
- ~105–125 kt
Why owners love it
Forgiving, stable and familiar to every instructor and mechanic. Parts are easy to find, insurance is reasonable, and resale is strong. A great first airplane, training airplane or local sightseer.
Know before you buy
Four seats rarely means four adults with full fuel. At Colorado density altitudes, 180 hp models or conversions are worth a look. Ask about training history and corrosion.
Everyday & familySingle · High wing
Cessna 182 Skylane
Cessna · 1956 to present
The 172's stronger sibling, and a Rocky Mountain favorite.
- Seats
- 4
- Gear
- Fixed
- Power
- 230–235 hp
- Cruise
- ~135–145 kt
Why owners love it
A six-cylinder engine and constant-speed prop give it the climb, payload and stability the 172 lacks. It carries real loads into mountain airports and is a capable instrument platform.
Know before you buy
More fuel, insurance and maintenance than a 172, and a high-performance endorsement. It's nose-heavy, so have the firewall and nose gear inspected for signs of hard landings.
Fast travelerSingle · Low wing · Retract
Mooney M20
Mooney · 1955 to 2019, many variants
Speed on a budget: more miles per gallon than almost anything.
- Seats
- 4
- Gear
- Retractable
- Power
- 180–310 hp
- Cruise
- ~140–200+ kt
Why owners love it
Slippery and efficient. From the classic M20C to the turbocharged Acclaim, Mooneys go fast on less fuel, and their steel-tube cabin structure is famously strong.
Know before you buy
The cabin is snug, so sit in one first. Retractable gear means a complex endorsement and higher insurance. Have a Mooney-savvy shop check the steel tube cage for corrosion.
Fast travelerSingle · Low wing · Retract
Beechcraft V-tail Bonanza
Beechcraft Model 35 · 1947–1982
The classic: elegant, quick and unmistakable on the ramp.
- Seats
- 4–6
- Gear
- Retractable
- Power
- 185–285 hp
- Cruise
- ~150–175 kt
Why owners love it
Beechcraft build quality, beautiful handling and real cross-country speed. The butterfly tail is iconic, and a strong owner community keeps them flying well.
Know before you buy
The tail has its own inspection and balance requirements, and many have a tail-strengthening modification. Use a pre-buy shop that knows Bonanzas, and review those records closely.
Fast travelerSingle · Low wing · Retract
Beechcraft Debonair
Beechcraft Model 33 · 1960 on, later the F33 Bonanza
Bonanza quality with a conventional tail, often for less.
- Seats
- 4–5
- Gear
- Retractable
- Power
- 225–285 hp
- Cruise
- ~150–170 kt
Why owners love it
The Debonair was Beechcraft's straight-tail, slightly simpler Bonanza. You get the same solid feel and speed, frequently at a friendlier price than a comparable A36.
Know before you buy
Early examples were deliberately basic inside, so equipment and upgrades vary widely. Engine time and avionics drive value more than the year.
Fast travelerSingle · Low wing · Retract
Beechcraft A36 Bonanza
Beechcraft · 1968 to present (G36 today)
Six seats, big rear doors, and the speed to use them.
- Seats
- 6
- Gear
- Retractable
- Power
- 285–300 hp
- Cruise
- ~165–175 kt
Why owners love it
The stretched cabin, club seating and double rear doors make it a true family and business hauler. Many consider it the benchmark high-performance single.
Know before you buy
Six seats and full fuel won't always work together. Plan weight and balance carefully. Fuel burn and purchase price are a step up from four-seat singles.
Twin pistonTwin · Low wing · Retract
Beechcraft Baron
Beechcraft Models 55 & 58 · 1961 to present
The step-up twin: Bonanza manners with two engines.
- Seats
- 4–6
- Gear
- Retractable
- Power
- 2 × 260–300 hp
- Cruise
- ~180–200 kt
Why owners love it
Fast, solid and well-mannered, with room for real payload and serious IFR equipment. The 58 adds a longer cabin and the same big rear doors as the A36.
Know before you buy
Two engines means two overhauls to budget for. You'll need a multi-engine rating, and insurers want experience. At high density altitude, plan around limited single-engine climb.
Tailwheel & aerobaticSingle · High wing · Tandem
Citabria
Champion, Bellanca & American Champion · 1964 on
"Airbatic" spelled backwards, and pure fun to fly.
- Seats
- 2, tandem
- Gear
- Tailwheel
- Power
- 115–160 hp
- Cruise
- ~100–115 kt
Why owners love it
Stick-and-rudder flying at its best. Approved for basic aerobatics, it's a favorite for tailwheel endorsements and for pilots who fly for the sheer joy of it.
Know before you buy
You'll need a tailwheel endorsement. Many are fabric-covered, and older examples have wooden wing spars, so storage history and inspection status matter.
Tailwheel & aerobaticSingle · High wing · Tandem
American Champion
Decathlon, Scout & current Citabrias · 1990 to present
Two very different personalities: aerobat or backcountry workhorse.
- Seats
- 2, tandem
- Gear
- Tailwheel
- Power
- ~150–180 hp
- Role
- Aero / bush
Why owners love it
American Champion carries on the Citabria line. The Super Decathlon is a capable aerobatic trainer with inverted fuel and oil. The Scout, with big tires and flaps, is built for short, rough strips.
Know before you buy
Be clear about which mission you want. Check aerobatic history and airframe inspections on Decathlons, and landing and gear history on Scouts used off-airport.
ExperimentalKit-built · Many models
Van's RV series
Van's Aircraft · RV-4 through RV-14
The most popular kit airplanes ever, and remarkable performance per dollar.
- Seats
- 1–4
- Gear
- Fixed
- Power
- ~100–260 hp
- Cruise
- ~115–180+ kt
Why owners love it
Light, quick and sweet-handling, with modern avionics at a fraction of certified prices. There's an RV for almost every mission, from the two-seat RV-7 and RV-8 to the four-seat RV-10.
Know before you buy
Build quality varies, so review the builder's log and get an inspection from someone who knows RVs. Only the original builder can get the repairman certificate, so a later owner needs an A&P for the annual condition inspection.
Figures are typical ranges across model years and versions, for general comparison only. Every aircraft is different. Confirm specifics with the aircraft's documents, its pilot's operating handbook, and a pre-buy inspection.
Start your search
Help me find my aircraft.
Tell Josh what you're looking for and how you'll fly it. He'll follow up to talk through options, budget and timing. Not sure yet? That's a fine place to start.
Thanks, Josh has your search details.
He'll be in touch to talk through options. If you'd like to talk sooner, call or text 303.242.2045.