Forum: General

If an independantly wealthy person would like to purchase and F-16,
what would be the first step?

Is it legal and possible to purchase an F-16 ?

Sincerely,
-Jon Colby

F-16.net Sponsor

Jon, first off, welcome to the board Very Happy

! The answer to your question is complicated. There is the outside possibility, but you'd have a very tough time. From what I understand, the US considers its military aircraft to be "weapons of war," even without any armament and therefore will not sell them to civilians. You might be able to get one that was produced under licence in a foreign country because and used by a foreign gov't, but then you have to jump through a whole lot of hoops with the FAA. You also have a serious hazmat issue with the EPU and its hydrazine fuel. Please click on the link below and read the prior discussion on the subject:

http://www.f-16.net/modules.php?op=modl ... ht=surplus

I know you're new, so don't take this as angry, but you really should search the board to see if your question has been discussed in the past. Good luck!!!

Darn. I thought I could by one after the ban on assault weapons was lifted last week. Laughing

Just don't try to register it in California, New York, Massachusetts or Maryland Laughing

! Lamoey, thanks for making me laugh! I've needed it!

Personal opinion: If I've earned the money to buy it, can prove that I can afford to maintain it, and (considering National Security concerns) I can obtain a security clearance and provide for secure storage, why in a free country SHOULD I NOT BE ABLE TO BUY IT?! Evil or Very Mad

This may not be a serious consideration for me right now as I have nowhere near enough money, but it's something that bothers me anyway.

So here's the plan: I'll make more money than Bill Gates, lobby Congress, and buy a few choice jets Cool

! Yeah, that's the ticket! Now, how to get started.... Question

Another problem...Either engine that equips the Viper is illegal to be sold, in and of itself. The P&W F-100, and GE F-110 are also considered to be "Government Assets," "Instruments of Warfare," or whatever other cutesy label you wish to call them. I recall an incident circa, 1989, at Hill AFB, where a group of men were arrested by Federal agents, posing as interested buyers of 6 P&W 100s. The group of men even had the engines on flatbed trucks, ready to haul the engines out of the Ogen ALC depot. If anyone else knows more about the story, then please fill the rest of the class in. Smile

Anyway, just assume for one moment that one could purchase a stripped-down (as in, no combat equipment) Viper, let's say for a bargain basement, coupon deal price of $30 million. Fair enough? Ok, now, you would have to have a dedicated crew chief, an assistant mechanic, an avionics guy...now let me explain for a moment...even without the combat equipment, which would include the radar, and MFDs, one would still need a guy that knows the wiring, and therefore you need a Sparky on the staff...ok, continuing, you would also need an engine mechanic, an egress technician, and a life support technician (that would be me Mr. Green

) I'm certain I missed somebody in that list, and forgive me if I didn't give you your due respect...Oh yeah, and you'd also need an IP to teach you how to fly the crate (ask Gums or Cylon!) That's a staff FULL of people that you have to pay just to keep the plane and equipment maintained (we're talking major dough in the civilian world) and then you would have to have the money to keep the plane fueled.

So, anyway, you'd have to have a ton of money to operate and maintain the jet, if you even were allowed to own it in the first place. Make sense? No? Well, it's a late hour for me too. Wink

Beers and MiGs were made to be pounded!

Forum: General

Civilian Purchase of an F-16