The Pre-Purchase evaluation is the best investment anyone interested in purchasing an aircraft can make. The purpose of the Pre-Purchase evaluation is to help the prospective buyer have a better understanding of the history of the aircraft. The purpose of the inspection is to examine the aircraft for damage and wear that might not be evident to the untrained eye.
“Pre-Purchase Evaluation? Don't you mean a Pre-Purchase Inspection?” The answer would be yes and no. In the past it was called a Pre-Purchase inspection and it has caused the buyer to think that the aircraft was getting a complete Annual inspection. I will say right here, this is NOT an Annual inspection. After a series of lawsuits against maintenance providers that performed these “Pre-Buy” inspections for such things like hidden damage due to corrosion or wrong parts put on the aircraft without any logbook entries, the maintenance industry needs to be careful to be very specific in defining what the Pre-Purchase will cover.
I will work with the buyer or buyer's agent to specify what exactly will be looked at and to what standard. As a maintenance provider I can make a recommendation, but it must be the buyer’s call in the end. Nothing is foolproof, but the following steps are in my opinion a must in every pre-purchase evaluation so that the buyer is informed of the aircraft's current condition and potential future maintenance costs.
The Pre-Purchase Evaluation will cover the following areas:
Maintenance records:
Visual Inspection:
I can come to your location to evaluate the aircraft that you are interested in purchasing. Contact me and we can discuss the details.
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