I have always wanted to be a pilot. The sky called to me even as a young child. My childhood home was right on the boundary of KMIC (Crystal, MN). My earliest memories are of standing at the fence in my backyard, with my fingers clinging to the chain-link, watching for hours as the airplanes take off and land.

 

So in 2019, 42 years later, I finally found my motivation to reach for the sky... literally. While attending AirVenture Oshkosh that year for my first time, I decided it's "now or never". Life will always get in the way, and there will never be enough time or money. I took the plunge, downloaded a ground school app, and got started.

 

Becoming a pilot is expensive, and I still didn't have the resources. So how would I be able to afford my life's dream while maintaining my current career? These two go hand in hand; I've been an entrepreneur in online sales for over 30 years. The natural choice was to start a fun new business in aviation sales to make my dreams come to life!

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I started JC's Aviation Sales in 2021, buying and selling quality used aviation parts. With my avionics sales, and loving family's support, I passed my private pilot check ride in April 2022!

 

While enjoying a couple years of recreational flying, and continuing to build the business, somewhere along the way I decided to turn my hobby into a career. So I started working on my instrument rating and commercial certificate. I passed my Instrument checkride in April of 2024, and my commercial checkride in June of 2024.

 

Turning my attention now to earning CFI and CFII, I am building time, continuing my training, and studying during every bit of "spare" time. Eventually planning to be a career flight instructor, fly corporate or charter, and maybe some ferry piloting. And, of course, continuing to develop this business!

 

Here we are in 2025, and as an entrepreneurial, flying family, we specialize in selling used avionics and accessories. When you purchase from us, you get guaranteed quality used parts and equipment at an affordable price. When you allow us to sell your used equipment for you, you help support our family and my aviation goals.

We are proud to be a Minnesota, USA based, family business who cares about your future, dreams, airplanes, and time. 

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I didn't get to grow up in a flying family and neither did my children when they were younger. Now that they all grown adults starting families of their own, I am honored to be the "flying Grandpa". Yes, it has become my identity! They will never know how much I enjoy the "flying Grandpa" coffee mugs and T-shirts I get for every occasion. To fly with each of the grandkids and share my love of the sky with them, each time we fly together I can see the inspiration behind their eyes to follow and possibly become pilots like me, and to think I get to teach the future generation! 

Happy Flying!

Joseph Croft and Family