Casey,

I purchased an airplane back in December. Very interesting experience.
The process took me about 4 months.

I found a book called "Purchasing and Evaluating Airplanes", by Brian
Jacobson, to be very helpful (published by Odyssey Aviation
Publications). The best thing you can do is to spend a bit of time
educating yourself (as you are doing on this forum) about what you need
to do.

In addition to doing a pre-buy inspection, I got a pre-buy professional
evaluation. You can find your nearest evaluator by contacting the
National Aircraft Appraisers Association. I think these cost around
$200 or so. I found them to worthwhile. They read the logs thoroughly,
rate the paint, panel, interior, etc.

I would strongly suggest that you have the pre-buy inspector (A&P)
create a full report that includes all the things he inspected. There
seems to be no standard on what to include and not include in such an
inspection, especially with respect to the engine. Pay a little more if
you have to. You are making a big investment, it is worth checking it
out thoroughly.

Read the logs cover to cover. Then read them again. Look for any major
repairs that suggest an accident of some sort. The logs do not say
"repaired damage from pilot ramming into the side of a building really
hard with right wing"; they just list a whole bunch of repairs. You
have to conclude what the cause was and become comfortable that the
repairs were done adequately. Also watch for long periods of time where
the plane was not operated. Having an engine sit around can be very
damaging.

Doing all of these does not guarantee you will not have problems. I
purchased my aircraft in January of this year. I had an engine failure
(in-fligth) 2 weeks ago which will require a $22K major overhaul. Was
there something more that I wish I did while buying it that could have
found the fault. I am not sure. I think, in retrospect, I would have
asked for a more thorough pre-buy on the engine itself (of course, that
is easy to say with hindsight). I think I might have also asked for a
few more recommendations on good A&P mechanics that know how to really
do a good pre-buy.

Best of luck to you!

-Sami
N2057M, Piper Turbo Arrow III (temporarily out of commission)

Casey Wilson wrote:
Hello all,

I have an opportunity to buy a 1978 C-172 that appears to be in better
than good condition for a better than good (for me) price. The logs are
current and an annual was completed in February -- I've talked to that
mechanic and he said the ship is in good shape.
I thinking about offering a $500 good faith deposit, refundable only if
I find something wrong in a pre-buy inspection and have cause to back out.
Does that sound fair? Should it be more or less?
I have a recommendation for a good mechanic who has never seen the
airplane but know nothing about avionics shops. The aircraft is nearby Wm.
J. Fox field in Lancaster. Any comments on the local folks there?
And to make things lively, I welcome any other suggestions about buying
my first airplane. Well, except from the PT Barnumphytes

Regards,

Casey Wilson

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