First time buyers -- have an A&P do a pre-sale inspectio

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Offline greg

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First time buyers -- have an A&P do a pre-sale inspectio
« on: August 25, 2006, 05:27:39 PM »
Lots of messages on here recently about buying EZ's, so for everyone's sake I'm posting what I think is the most important step in the purchase process.

If this is your first purchase of a experiemental composite aircraft, ALLWAYS have the aircraft inspected by an A&P familiar with composite homebuilts! Unless you've built one or maintained one for several years there's no way to be familiar enough with all the systems to be able to perform an adequite pre-buy inspection yourself.

Because experimental aircraft are far less regulated then their certified brothers it's very easy for an experimental owner maintain their aircraft in a dangerous state.

Considering the investment, both in dollars and your continued survival, that buying an airplane entails the cost and trouble of an A&P inspection is trivial. If the seller objects, walk away from the deal. Feel free to negotiate a price and conditions for the purchase ahead of time, as long as it's stipulated that the sale is conditional on a clean bill of health from an A&P of the buyer's choosing.

If I were a seller I'd require it as well, to ensure the buyer has no grievence three months later when something unexpected breaks.

The second most important step is to verify it'll fit in the back of the truck you rented to drive it home. ;)

Offline GlennBob

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Hauling a plane home ?
« Reply #1 on: August 28, 2006, 12:44:07 AM »
See now that's the part I don't get.  If I'm buying an AIRPLANE, . . why do I want to see if it'll fit in the truck I brought to DRIVE it home ? ? ? ! !   Last time I checked, . .airplanes were supposed to FLY home ! !
N600EZ  O-320-E2A,  Hertzler prop, Trio AP, Narco HSI, Custom headers, Oil heat.

Offline eric r

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trucks
« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2006, 08:09:59 AM »
Probably a Harley guy ... like puppies, they like to ride in the back of the truck, and piddle when left parked.

Offline greg

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First time buyers -- have an A&P do a pre-sale inspectio
« Reply #3 on: September 07, 2006, 09:30:43 PM »
Oh, that second thing is if you are buying a project rather than a completed plane. Should be able to figure that out from the photo :P

Offline JonC

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First time buyers -- have an A&P do a pre-sale inspectio
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2006, 12:33:17 PM »
There is a catch to getting an A&P to do an inspection for you... on certified airframes we have manuals and guides to go by, with experimentals we do not. It is a bunch of educated guesses to go and inspect one, especially if it is not something that the A&P does not do often.

I personally have not done any major work on a composite airframe, and as such I would not do a pre-buy inspecton on one because I do not know what to look for. I hate to say it but other A&Ps might not be as honest as that. I know quite a few that are, but I also know some that would take your money and do a half-ass job of an inspection on it.

So be careful and know who is doing your inspection.

Offline eric r

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« Reply #5 on: September 20, 2006, 07:28:15 PM »
Same goes for your certified airplane.
I've been impressed by a few A&P's and disappointed by many. I've seen "paper" annuals completed on unairworthy aircraft that were being operated under part-135 under pressure of the company owner, and tags placed on parked aircraft (by FAA inspectors) grounding the aircraft for "curled" prop tips (yep, designed that way). This happened numerous times when those props first appeared, and the one I witnessed happened to be parked right in front of the restaurant next door to the FSDO.
Know your aircraft or know your mechanic!