Greg Copeland wrote:

Okay. Fair points. So, assuming that the seller will allow it, does it
appear to be the preferred route?

Absolutely; just don't expect the seller to pay for a bunch of stuff your mechanic
finds, when *his* mechanic either didn't notice or doesn't think it's important. The
technique has several advantages, from the buyer's viewpoint. For one thing, it
prevents "surprises" at the first annual, since this *is* the first annual. If your
IA finds stuff you don't want to pay for, and the owner won't pay for it, you're not
stuck. If you buy the plane, you're not looking at an annual within the next few
months, as might be the case with a pre-buy inspection.

The most important thing in my opinion is that prospective buyers may take the
results of a pre-buy inspection too lightly; few mechanics will come right out and
say, "If I were you, I'd run from this one." Their usual approach is to tell you what
they've found and assume that you know how serious it is. Change that to an annual,
however, and they hand you a list of squawks and an estimate of the cost. That
estimate tends to get your attention, and much of it has to be done right now.

It is important to arrange an understanding with all concerned that, if you buy the
plane, the inspection will be logged as an annual. If you don't buy the plane, it was
a pre-purchase inspection.

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".