I'm a student pilot thats buying my first plane (Piper PA-38) with approx. 2000 TT and 100 SMOH. I havent soloed yet and buying this for learning/hours. I put a down payment on it and researched it as much as I can (FAA search - title search - owner character search etc.) So far all is good and I plan on taking my instructer to his state and flying back next week. He is doing an annual for me and one of my question is, is this as good as having a preflight inspection done for me as a buyer? Once we get there we'll obviously fly it and I'm sure all will be fine but what happens if we get back home or alittle thereafter find out there is major problem? Is there something like a three day back out clause/law? Any help, tips, comments is appreciated regarding bill of sale papers, documentation, etc. or something I might have missed would be appreciated. By the way, NICE forum
Another "Buying first plane"
- Thread starter Ripruss
- Start date
ComplexHiAv8r
Well-Known Member
YES, have a preflight inspection done and if possible have the annual done by someone other then who did it the previous year.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
R
Roger, Roger
Guest
Yup, get a pre-buy done by a mechanic that YOU know and trust, even if that means flying it to another airport.
CDNPilotDave
Well-Known Member
Three day back out clause? Caveat Emptor!!!! When you put your money down, good luck getting it back. Buying things for, or fixing things on, an airplane can really set one's finances back. Find the most thorough A&P/AI and go through everything with a fine tooth comb; plane and log books. Nothing is fool proof (for catching anomolies) but information gained from the pre-buy is king. It'll help set a price too. Insuring, storing, and maintaining not to mention operating an aircraft is not cheap. Add to those the unknown repairs and you could be facing nightmares.
Consider the option of partnering with someone else. When you have the hours you want, you can always try and sell your share. Partnering shares the fixed costs. Many times other owners want to own but don't fly too much.
Having said all that (meant as a sobering warning) owning your own plane can be a great joy. Going to the airport in and racking up hours at will - Nothing like it.
Good luck.
Consider the option of partnering with someone else. When you have the hours you want, you can always try and sell your share. Partnering shares the fixed costs. Many times other owners want to own but don't fly too much.
Having said all that (meant as a sobering warning) owning your own plane can be a great joy. Going to the airport in and racking up hours at will - Nothing like it.
Good luck.
BillErvin
Peddling as fast as I can
Would you let the use car salesman do the pre-buy on the car your buying from him. If you don't know a mechanic, Have your instructor recommend a good one, preferably one that has done pre-buys before and is familiar with Tomahawks. Take him with you, It'll cost a little up front, but may save you thousands.
Use the net, and research Airworthiness directives, service bulletins (FAA.gov) There used to be a tomahawk club, don't know if its around anymore.
The guy your buying from may be as honest as the day is long, buy you don't know that. A good thorough pre-buy is cheap honesty insurance.
Use the net, and research Airworthiness directives, service bulletins (FAA.gov) There used to be a tomahawk club, don't know if its around anymore.
The guy your buying from may be as honest as the day is long, buy you don't know that. A good thorough pre-buy is cheap honesty insurance.
Thanks for all the replies, you guys are very helpful. Not too sure how to find an A&P/AI in another state. I might not have mentioned but this plane is approximately 500miles away. Can this deal be contingent on inspection in my state or do I need to do it there. I'm getting from you that an annual will not fit the bill for a pre-buy inspection (so what do you get for a $400-$800 annual?). So, pretty much I'm getting, when you buy it, it your baby - is that right? Any feedback on the papers/bill of sale when I pick up the plane? Also he's throwing in a tow bar, will this fit in the plane? Again, THANK YOU!
29.92inHg
Well-Known Member
If you can't get any info about a mechanic you can trust in another state, fly it to your mechanic, or have the current owner fly it there. JC is also a good place to ask for a mechanic reccomendation, I'm sure someone here knows something. At least make sure it is not the person whos has done all of the previous work for the owner.
ComplexHiAv8r
Well-Known Member
I had them fly the plane up to me (VA to OH) and we did the inspection here. They paid to have the pilot return to VA. They knew if it was not purchased they would have to come back for the plane.
I had it brought to the local service center, where they had never seen the plane before, but I had good references for them. We found A LOT of issues.
breath...breath....breath..... dont start me on my issues on a plane under factory warranty.... we were at the 4 month mark to get it out..
I had it brought to the local service center, where they had never seen the plane before, but I had good references for them. We found A LOT of issues.
breath...breath....breath..... dont start me on my issues on a plane under factory warranty.... we were at the 4 month mark to get it out..
Nihon_Ni
Well-Known Member
The deal can be contingent on anything you can negotiate. What do you get for a $400 annual? Probably not much except a big annual next year. Unless you negotiate different, when you trade a check for the bill of sale, it's yours. Have you insurance already in place before you buy it.
When I bought my plane, I had the owner deliver it to me and I had my A&P do the annual. My A&P was responsible to me, not the seller. My A&P did the pre-buy inspection, and at the end of it (if the plane was good) my plan was to have him continue on with a full annual since he was already part way through it. The pre-buy took an afternoon, the rest of the annual took the rest of the week.
Have you read through every page of the logbooks? Very important!
pnwchief22
Well-Known Member
I've owned a PA 38 for two years, did you buy the plane you were looking at back in September?
03F had a complete annual at the time of purchase - completed by an independent A& P (Inspection Authorization). Cost was reasonable....good report. Old owner took me flying a couple of times before purchase. How's your flight training coming along??
03F had a complete annual at the time of purchase - completed by an independent A& P (Inspection Authorization). Cost was reasonable....good report. Old owner took me flying a couple of times before purchase. How's your flight training coming along??
SpiraMirabilis
Possible Subversive
Be very wary of offers of the seller to have an annual done for you.
galvestonaggie
Well-Known Member
Been there done that got the t-shirt....my advise run like hell!
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