Personal aircraft sales and acquisition from Colorado's Front Range. No volume lot and no switchboard: one conversation with Josh about how you fly and what comes next.
Based at Colorado Air and SpaceportWatkins, Colorado
Current aircraft
Available aircraft are posted on Facebook.
Inventory moves quickly, so current aircraft, photos and details live on the Timberline Aircraft Facebook page. Don't see what you're after? Tell Josh, and he'll go looking.
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.
How it works
Buy, sell, or trade. One conversation.
Buying
Find the right fit.
Josh starts with your mission and budget, then helps you find, evaluate and close on the right aircraft.
Search and shortlist
Independent pre-buy inspection
Logbook and records review
Title, escrow and closing
Selling
Present it properly.
Accurate details, good photos and honest pricing bring the right buyers, and fewer wasted calls.
Pricing based on the market
Records organized up front
Qualified buyers only
Kept informed throughout
Trading
Step up, or step over.
Moving to something faster, bigger or simpler? Your current aircraft can be part of the deal.
Trade-in evaluation
Coordinated timing
One point of contact
No gap in your flying
Hangars
Every good airplane needs a good home.
Whether you're looking to rent a spot or own a hangar outright, Josh can help you find options at Colorado Air and Spaceport and nearby Front Range airports, and know what to ask before you sign.
Renting
Rent a hangar
The flexible option. T-hangars, box hangars and shared hangars each suit different airplanes and budgets.
Fit
Door width and height against your wingspan and tail height
Availability
Waitlists are common, so get on them early
Terms
Month-to-month or lease, insurance requirements, and access hours
Amenities
Power, lighting, heat and floor condition
Buying
Own a hangar
At many public airports you own the building on a ground lease from the airport. Understanding that lease is key.
Ground lease
Years remaining, renewal terms, ground rent and transfer rules
Condition
Door, roof, slab, drainage and electrical
Rules
Permitted uses, subleasing, and airport minimum standards
Costs
Taxes, insurance, utilities and any association dues
Why Timberline
Fewer deals. Done properly.
Timberline isn't built on volume. It's built on doing right by every buyer and seller, so they come back and send their friends.
I
Relationships over volume
Fewer clients means more attention. Your search or sale gets Josh's full focus.
II
One person, start to finish
You'll talk to Josh from the first call to the handshake. No hand-offs and no call center.
III
Honest fit advice
If a different airplane suits your mission better, you'll hear it, even if it's a smaller deal.
IV
Buy, sell and trade
Stepping up or moving on? Selling your current aircraft and finding the next one can happen together.
V
Independent inspections
Every purchase should include a pre-buy by a shop that knows the type. Josh will always encourage one.
VI
Local and mountain-aware
Based at Colorado Air and Spaceport, with an eye on how aircraft really perform at Colorado altitudes.
Photo of Josh to come
“The right fit starts with listening.”
Every conversation starts with you: how you fly, where you want to go, and what matters most in your next aircraft. From there, Josh helps you find it, or helps the right buyer find yours.
Josh SchwartzTimberline Aircraft · Colorado Air and Spaceport
Contact
What's on your horizon?
Buying, selling, trading or looking for a hangar? Call, email, or send a note and Josh will be in touch.