AOPA Swepstakes

Morgan3820

Morgan3820

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El Conquistador
Was the winner of the Debonair announced yet? I thought that the winner was to be announced at AirVenture, but have not heard anything yet.
 
I heard the sweepstakes ended July 31st and the winner will be selected the end of August, I think.
 
I rented a nice hanger for it. I wonder what extra paperwork will be involved before i get the plane.
 
If AOPA was really interested in making aviation more affordable they wouldn't pour crap tons of money into a airplanes to give away but rather giving away cheaper ones with flight training.

I'm betting there are many AOPA members who couldn't afford to pay the tax bill on $100k+ prize.
 
First:
Stop looking at my airplane and getting eyeball tracks all over it.

Second:
The AOPA is more interested making money than promoting aviation. More product, more endorsements, more money in, bigger salaries, bigger perks, bigger etc, etc. It's just coincidental they are still sort of in the airplane business.
BTW, I'm not picking on the AOPA because I have a beef with the AOPA. The same rules apply to every organization over time. They are a "brand" and they will do anything to grow and protect their "brand". I could have inserted the Red Cross, Wounded Warriors, the American Cancer Society. Take your pick. They all work exactly the same.
In the AOPA's case, with the money they take in every year, they could pay the cost to train thousands of pilots. The AOPA is just in a better business to hide what they take in and actually spend on promoting aviation than most other organizations.
People who truly love something, devote their lives to it and do it for free. Some of us love it so much we pay through the nose to keep doing it. The AOPA exists so we can support their lifestyle.

OK. Let the flames begin.
 
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I haven't gotten the call yet, either....but waiting...
 
pete480 said:
AOPA's website says it's valued at $120,000.
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So a bare bones yet beautiful Cessna 152 wimpy barely two place (not even LSA) for $90k or a decked out traveling machine for $120k. WTF? :dunno:
 
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I think most of the aircraft given away by both AOPA, and Sporties are usually sold to pay the taxes.

Now I am certain someone will come along with undeniable facts to prove me wrong but what the hell, that's what I heard somewhere along the line and I don't care if it isn't 100% correct.
 
Wasn't the last plane won by a wealthy doctor and aircraft owner, who immediately put it up for sale?
 
I haven't kept up with all the instances, but I think it happens more often than not. I would probably hang onto the Deb if it happened to show up in my hangar.

Anyone want a nice Arrow?
 
tmyers said:
I haven't kept up with all the instances, but I think it happens more often than not. I would probably hang onto the Deb if it happened to show up in my hangar.

Anyone want a nice Arrow?
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That's exactly the same line I use at the bar.
 
tmyers said:
I haven't kept up with all the instances, but I think it happens more often than not. I would probably hang onto the Deb if it happened to show up in my hangar.

Anyone want a nice Arrow?
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Steingar and freebird!! :D
 
Every so often the AOPA publish a list of the history of all the planes they have given away.
 
My BD is in Sept, but my wife said she was surprising me with an early BD present. No lie, first thing I did was check the AOPA Deb drawing date. :)

Turns out it was a couple of custom tailored shirts (one of the deals where you get measured, pic fabrics, then the shirts are made in Asia).

Nice gift, still hoping for the Deb...
 
Between AOPA , EAA, and Sporty's, I should get one of them!
 
Has anyone ever rejected the prize ?
 
If all you are is a PPSEL, you don't have a chance in hell. Even if you have an instrument rating, you probably aren't the kind of marketing material they are looking for. :no:
 
The only info on the AOPA website is that the current sweeps closed and stay tuned for more info to come. I suspect they are doing what they usually do and creating enough interest in the next magazine.
 
Scrabo said:
Has anyone ever rejected the prize ?
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I don't know about rejected, but there are those who haven't owned it for long. The Aspen retrofit Silver Archer (re-registered under something ending in "GG", for "Got Glass") ended up on the rental line, first in Poughkepsie, currently Long Island, I believe.

Remember the winner will have to pay taxes on the retail value of the plane as if it were ordinary income. I hate to indulge the stereotype of a "rich" pilots, but I'd guess a pilot may be more likely than most to be able to write that sort of check unexpectedly. Even so, it just may not be the kind of expense anyone is planning to undertake. The winner cold take a loan against the aircraft to pay the taxman if necessary to keep the plane.
 
AOPA announced another sweepstakes for 2015. Still no winner for 2014. WTF?
 
Looks like Ben didn't win. But an RV driver can now fly the entire family...
 
It looks like it was awarded to a good family.
 
What tough choices now for him! Does he sell the RV, a plane that he built himself to pay the taxes? Does he sell the Deb and tell the family, so sorry? Does he try to take on the huge financial burden of owning two airplanes?
 
Dav8or said:
What tough choices now for him! Does he sell the RV, a plane that he built himself to pay the taxes? Does he sell the Deb and tell the family, so sorry? Does he try to take on the huge financial burden of owning two airplanes?
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It's a problem I think I could deal with.
 
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