HawkShack.com

Cool looking airplane.

https://mobile.twitter.com/royalscottki ... 5176881153

Sweet:

Is he a qualified jet engine pilot?
I know he was dabbling in helicopters but didn't know if he was also into other aircraft.

Damn. Russ living the high life.

Aseahawkfan wrote:Damn. Russ living the high life.

That's one thing I'd never begrudge someone that can afford it. I abhor flying commercial.

I hear you about commercial but I wonder if it might be less expensive to charter a Lear Jet or other when
required instead of buying his own plane.

NorthHawk wrote:I hear you about commercial but I wonder if it might be less expensive to charter a Lear Jet or other when
required instead of buying his own plane.

Yeah, you have to think that it would be much cheaper to charter a private plane than it would be to buy one, pay for storage, hire a pilot whenever you want to go somewhere, have it serviced, etc.

The other question I have is how often is he going to be using it? He won't be flying anywhere between August and January unless it's with the team. Or did he buy it to ferry around his old lady?

Russ's wife will use it too for touring. Let's not forget Russ not the only one in the family with big money who travels a lot.

That's a $20-$25 million airplane. So it's a significant expense even for a guy like RW.

Vegaseahawk wrote:That's a $20-$25 million airplane. So it's a significant expense even for a guy like RW.

Hey, good to hear from you, Vegas!

It's not completely clear if Russell bought the plane or if he's simply leasing it as one does with a car. It doesn't make a lot of financial sense to plop down $20M in cash for a depreciating asset.

Add in maintenance and Pilot costs and it adds up quickly.

Must be nice!

It’s a small nit to pick, but it’s not a 20-25 million dollar plane. It’s likely less than 5m with an average annual operating cost of 1.5-2m all in. Well too rich for my blood, but well w/in the couple’s budget (their combined estimated net worth is 160M, five or take.

Probably more for "her" then "him" and since she is a LLC or other business entity, all expenses are tax deductible and the plane is a depreciable asset and an allowable asset under Section 179 (up to $1million in it's first year) Planes are costly, but make for great tax breaks, anyway you look at it.
In addition most famous and successful artists all tour in either owned or leased planes as it allows for their personal tour gear which can be a whole lot of road cases, and selected guests to travel with them at all times. It also keeps them away from any security gates and paparazzi as private planes usually don't use the typical gates the public uses, they use the general aviation parts of an airport.