How do I go about getting it inspected? Do I call a local (to the plane)
mechanic and arrange a meeting between him, the seller and the plane? Do I
need to be there?

You might want to consider have it professionally appraised first.
See http://www.plane-values.com/
For that you do not need to be present (at least I do not think so).
They do a careful look at the airplane and its logs and give you a
pretty complete report (except it is NOT and A&P pre-buy inspection).

This step can save you the expense of traveling out to see a plane that
is not what it claims to be.

Once done the appraiser can probably use his network to recommend a
nearby A&P to do the pre-buy (assuming you want to go ahead). I am sure
this is obvious, but you do not what to use any A&P that has touched the
airplane before; that person will be biased.

Some appraisers can also act as a buyers agent (for a fee) and can be
your surrogate up to a point. Personally, I would want to be there for
a pre-buy. Once satisfied with the pre-buy, you can then arrange to
begin the purchasing process right there.


There's many steps to buying a plane. Title search, loan financing,
insurance, inspection and transfer of ownership.

I suggest getting pre-approval for a loan up to whatever amount you can
qualify for. I suggest this as step one.

Once you have found what you think to be your plane. I would then get
it appraised.

At this point, you can call an insurer and at least get a quote for the
aircraft you are interested in. This could affect your buying decision.

If that looks good, then I think it is time to go see the plane and test
fly it. I suggest that you arrange to have an A&P meet you there to do
the pre-buy during your visit for the test flight (or the day after, in
case the test flight changes your mind). I would ask the A&P for a list
of everything he intends to look for in his pre-buy and have him produce
a written report. If there are options to look at more stuff, in
general, I would spend a few extra bucks to be really sure.

Once this is done, you are ready for the buying process. The title
search can be done in a day. So, I would wait until this point (others
may have different opinions) to do the title seach.


When do I actually need to be there? If anybody ever purchased a plane from
far away, how did you handle it? Do you care to share the story?

I did, back in December. I live in Wisconsin. I bought a plane based
in Reno. I followed a similar process that I described above.

I should advise you that my purchase came with several problems. I had
to fix several problems that the A&P should have found on the pre-buy.
I also ended up having an in-flight engine faillure a few weeks ago.
The engine had not been flown very much over the last 10 years. I
should have paid closer attention to that warning sign. I also, in
retrospect, would have found a good A&P mechanic local to me (which I
have since done) and I would have flown him out with me. A local A&P
that you intend to maintain your plane has incentive to do right by you.
A local A&P on the field that you buy you plane has every incentive
not to "blow the deal" and so, in my view, is not your best choice.

I should also warn you that I am a relatively new buyer, so if a more
experienced, wiser owner chimes in, pay closer attention to that person.

Also, look back a few threads, there are several of them that are
relevant to your question.


Thank you!