Every once in a while you hear of celebrities that own and pilot their own planes. John Travolta and Morgan Freeman are two that immediately come to mind.
I've often wondered -- as I guess anyone with just an inkling of testosterone has also -- what it must be like to own your own plane. Ah, that's the way to travel.
So I'm writing now to tell you that two opportunities may be knocking at your door. But remember, I'm just the messenger -- not your personal banker.
The first, brought to my attention by Jaunted, is the opportunity to snatch a plane I've seen a few times at New York's LaGuardia -- Trump's private jet. Yes, that Trump, aka Donald. I guess things must be getting a bit tight.
Trump's plane is a 727, a plane I've refused to fly for years since most are over 40 years old. Donald's, however, is done up in style and listed as "stunning, recently refurbished 24 passenger interior in a VIP configuration". That's it to the right -- if you'd like to see more photos of what life must be like on the flying carpet go to the Leader Aviation website. And you'll need to ask for the price.
Our second plane -- an Airbus 320 -- is not quite flyable but it does have great significance. Yes, according to Gothamist, the Airbus that was the famous US Airways Flight 1549 -- the very plane landed by Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger in New York's Hudson River after a bird strike took out both engines -- is about to be auctioned by the insurance company Chartis.
There are a few issues with the aircraft, of course. First off, it is listed as having "severe water damage throughout airframe." Geez, what a surprise.
And it also it has no engines and comes in quite a few pieces which you can view on the insurance company's aircraft salvage page.
But if you can overlook the water damage for the moment, look at the opportunities here. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, it would make a rather nifty, although quite long, coffee table. Or you could just salvage the seats and have all your friends sit in them to watch the premier of the movie "Miracle on the Hudson" whenever Hollywood gets off its butt and gets around to filming it.
Starring John Travolta, obviously.
Jim Ferri
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