But, where do I start? Any books, online references?
It's probably a good idea that I get the financing squared
away before I find the plane. Are there any standard
financial instutions that give loans that are familiar
with airplanes?

Gerald, call Mary Anderson at First National Bank of Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Her toll-free number is 888-559-8892.

Before you laugh, you need to know that airplane financing is a highly
specialized (and tiny) part of banking, and no one really cares *where*
the lending bank is physically located.

To illustrate this, even though Mary is located in Iowa I've never set
foot in her bank. Everything has been done via fax, email and
telephone for both of our aircraft loans.

(Although they always have a booth at Oshkosh -- so you can usually see
her there!)

The bank president is a Bonanza driver, and just about everyone else in
the bank is either a pilot or an aviation enthusiast. Mary will be
able to answer any questions you may have about financing, and probably
will tell you a few things you haven't even thought about yet.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"