Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

As a pilot myself I have recently noticed that Donny Schatz has upgraded his private jet. His former jet was a Cessna CJ2 Citation, registration N525KP. This jet had a maximum seating capacity of 9 and a maximum cruise speed of 428 knots.

He now owns a Cessna CJ4 Citation registration N415SD. It  has a maximum seating capacity of 10 and a maximum cruise speed of 481 knots and a much larger range. He just flew home to Fargo, ND after the Saturday night WOO race at Monroe, LA and his flight time was 2 hours and 19 minutes.

He also owns a MU2 twin engine turboprop aircraft that he flies to races that are shorter trips.

That's a nice upgrade from the Baron they had back in the 90's.

Paint jobs, haulers and jets don't win races.

 
 
 
They don't even know how to spell sprint car 
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com

Neither has he, is that what you're saying? Lol.

I'm a Donny fan, he will get there. Just letting the others have a chance  and a taste of glory.....

The Sharks seem to go golfing, fishing or biking during the week. Donny goes to work.

Even though I may not know you, I 
care what most of you think!

But the drivers they haul do win races!

What is the price tag on a jet like that? Millions I am sure, not that Donny doesn't deserve it......

No but earning 299 WoO wins(will get 300+ before he's done) including 10championships, 10 Knoxville Nationals, 5 kings royals, 6 National opens, plus however many 2nds top 5s, top 10s, plus All Star wins can buy you a jet

lol

How much it costs to own and operate a Citation CJ4 private jet

 
 
 
They don't even know how to spell sprint car 
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com

 
 
 
They don't even know how to spell sprint car 
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com

https://www.controller.com/listings/for-sale/cessna/citation-cj4/aircraft

You can pick up a used 2013 with low hours for $6,495,000.

The price is probably negotiable. 

Cubic  obviously has penis envy. 

So he has the dinero to have a new jet....why else would that bother you unless 1. Ya just don't like him or 2. You're jealous. 

Personally, Schatz has more than paid his dues and feels justified in his purchase, I'm sure he cares greatly about our thoughts on the issue. 

Congrats on a new jet Champ....fly in style. 

As pointed out by RodinCanada, Donny flies home to work between races. He runs their family owned businesses at home. The jet allows him the avenue to race and still attend to his job at home. He earns it all ! Hats off to him and his family.

Donny Schatz Cessna CJ4 Citation jet was new to him but was a used purchase. This jet was manufactured in year 2016. Not new but not that old either as airplanes go.

5 years old isn't necessarily "old", it's just now out of warranty (5 years). It all depends on the total time and cycles. With most corporate jets accumulating less than 400 hours per year, it is considered relatively new. I manage some aircraft that are flying 400 hours per month (yes, 4,800 hours per year) and have over 50k hours TT and are very reliable (as shown by flying 400hrs per month).

Member of this message board since 1997

And your point? He obviously has made enough money to buy one or at least enough to allow someone to lend him money for the difference in what he doesn't have. Plus as the OP said, he upgraded so I'm sure he didn't pay full face value and it was used. So between his winnings, businesses, and merchandise (moves a lot of merch too) I think he's doing fine. If your point was it won't make him win anything, see 299wins, championships, Nationals titles, etc while owning previous plane. And I'm someone who doesn't pull for Schatz that doesn't change his accomplishments. So not sure what your point is but it's not a valid one but of course, that's nothing new

All true.  Not to mention, I heard a rumor that Donny was not born homeless and that his family has a pretty nice financial base. 

Donny may have a pretty nice financial base but that alone won't win races. He is a tremendous driver, and a clean one. There are a lot of drivers out there if given the best equipment would still not win like he has. I think sprint car fans should appreciate his skills more because those kinds of drivers don't come a long very often. 

and a house in Calistoga California...

Ascot was the greatest of all time..

West Capital wasn't half bad either..

Life is good...

It's cheaper than you think to buy it and run it when tax write offs come in to play with the several business going on there

A couple of points.

1.  Business deductions will help offset the cost.

2.  Donny (probably) didn't write a check for the plane.  He financed or leased it and will recoup much of his investment when he sells the plane.  Planes hold their value fairly well.  He is on the hook for the loan payments, which will still be steep.  It is kind of like leasing a car - you make the payments for the time you drive the car and then turn it back in.  Assuming you stay within the mileage allowance and don't beat the heck out of the car, your cost is those payments plus the operating expenses.

3.  So he bought a plane.  Maybe he likes to fly and he is willing to pay for his hobby.  I've got a couple of pilot friends and they each have shares in different planes because they like to fly.  No business reason at all.  It is very convenient for weekend trips to football games or races.  No different than the guy that has 5 or 10 cars in his garage or collects antique firearms.  Just a bit more expensive!

4.  So there is family money involved.  Good for them.

5.  Haulers, nice paint and planes don't win races.  Neither do keyboard jockeys.  However Donny has a whole bunch o' victories.  I think Donny is getting to the point where he is going to become a bigger fan favorite.  As he doesn't win all the time and dominate, I think some new fans will hop on the bandwagon.  That ABS cheer isn't quite the same anymore.