On Apr 11, 3:21*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
Soaring archive, May 1991
Aland Adams, So You Want To Buy A(Used) Fiberglass Sailplane?
[Maintenance and Improvements], page 30

Recent W&B reveals much. When some of these ships were raced, pilots
added lead in the tail to get the CG aft. It might still be in there.

Frank Whiteley