‘It’s like having two wives,’ says jet owner
Rob Young wants to sell his L-29 jet aircraft. He also wants a boat and a wife.
The Claremont man recently listed one of his two Czech-built former military aircraft on TradeMe for $179,000, or near offer. The listing has attracted more than 128,000 views, but Young said ‘‘genuine interest’’ was low.
‘‘I get the odd person inquiring but they’re not serious. One person asked me if I wanted to swap it for a Ford Zephyr,’’ he laughed.
Young, a self-proclaimed shy, sensitive, salesman (with an association with property development) bought his first L-29 in 2008 and his second in 2011. The aircraft are identical and are two of just five in New Zealand.
He doesn’t hold a pilot’s licence himself, there’s no need.
‘‘You don’t have to have a licence to own a plane. There’s plenty of pilots who come out of the woodwork to fly jets – they queue up just to fly them.’’
With a top speed of 800kmh and a maximum pull of eight Gs, the jet aircraft are not for the faint-hearted or cash-strapped.
‘‘It costs a hell of a lot of money to run them.’’
The jets use around 1000 litres of aviation fuel an hour, at a cost of about $32 a minute. As both the jets are approved for adventure flights in New Zealand, Young said any future owner could potentially charge $100 a minute for rides at events like the popular Warbirds Over Wanaka.
‘‘It could take up to a dozen people in one day – and it will run for at least another 20 years.’’ Young was philosophical about letting one of his jets go, saying there was ‘‘no need’’ to have two.
‘‘Having two is a bit of a mission – it’s like having two wives,’’ he joked.
Young said he would like to see the jet go to an enthusiast who would continue to showcase it at airshows.
If it didn’t sell it could be destined for a museum, he said.
Young’s fascination with planes won’t fade away anytime soon, he’s just looking for other things to keep him busy.
‘‘You could say I’m looking at some other planes, but I’m also looking for a boat and a wife.’’