On Apr 11, 2:21*pm, tstock wrote:
Hello all, I am a low hour glider pilot and I am planning to buy my
first glider this summer, but this will be my first aircraft purchase
so I have absolutely no idea what is/should be involved in the
process. * *I have decided on a few specific models so we can leave
that part out of the equation for now.

I am 99% sure that the aircraft will be out of state here in the USA.
Having never purchased an aircraft, and I am not sure how to go about
inspecting the condition, other than looking at the maintenance log
and that the annual has been done. *Should I find someone to do an
inspection before making the drive? Should I ask the owner who he has
been using for the annual inspections?

What else should I be checking into? A/D's that have been done?
Accident history? *Last time the plane was flown?

I read one recommendation to insist that the owner take the plane for
a flight because he/she is obviously not going to want to fly an
unsafe plane... seems reasonable but a short gentle flight may not
prove anything, and the owner may simple decline due to time, etc.

Is the anything I need to be aware of transporting the aircraft from
one state to another (state taxes, etc)?

And how does one tow a new aircraft across the USA without being able
to register the trailer in the home state? *When I purchased boats
locally it was not a big deal to drive across town with a "just
purchased" sign in the window, but across the country with no plates
could present a problem. *Would like to hear how some of you have done
this in the past. *I suppose I could place my own vehicle's tag on the
trailer.

Yes these are stupid questions but I'd rather ask something stupid
than do something stupid!

Thanks
Tom

I'd not use some random pilots willingness to fly an aircraft as a
good determination of its airworthiness.

Find an experienced glider A&P who you trust and knows the type and
have them do a pre-purchase inspection. That should be a pull things
apart and look inside inspection, several hours, but depends on the
glider. Absolutely have a W&B done before purchase. If the glider is
of some reasonable value consider flying the A&P to do the inspection
or you might in some rare cases be able to make the sale conditional
upon a inspection on delivery.

There are some A&Ps who I would absolutely trust their word if they
had been maintaining the glider and there are others I would not. I'd
still want an inspection and details of the glider condition from them
in writing.

Even if using an A&P inspector, read all the A&D and TN notes and
understand them and make sure yourself they have been done correctly.

Your A&P will talk to you about experimental vs certified gliders and
paperwork needed. And others here will likely chime in.

Sales/use tax depends on the state where the glider is kept in and on
other details (e.g. no sales/use tax on used gliders in California,
but there is on motorgliders). Property tax depends on the county
where the glider is kept. etc. So you need to tell us more
information.

You can get temporary tags for the trailer, again the details depend
on where. You can't put your own tags on things and I would not do so
as things may get ugly if you are pulled over. Just worry about this
later, after you've found a glider.

Worry now about your budget and how nice a glider and instrument panel
(=avionics etc) and very importantly trailer you can afford and what
type of glider to look for given your experience and what you want to
do. And then spend time drooling over those Wings and Wheels want ads.

Darryl