| It is the common itch that every pilot gets during the | | | | specifics. Be alert to advertising stunts. Let these |
| first flight and regardless of how many physical exams | | | | claims be proven. Check the paperwork to be certain |
| are taken to keep the medical certificates up to date, | | | | the aircraft is airworthy; that is, it meets its type design |
| the itch rarely leaves. Yes, it's the itch to buy and own | | | | and all proper alterations and ADs are to specifications. |
| an airplane. The itch won't be cured permanently but | | | | The aircraft's paperwork should contain a history of all |
| certain tasks to be performed can make it less painful. | | | | major repairs and alterations. |
| No single injection of information can inoculate a | | | | Practical is perfect examination: |
| person from possible dreadful reactions from the itch, | | | | If you are satisfied that these all in order, start thinking |
| but this information should give patients a direction | | | | about examining the aircraft. Practical is perfect |
| toward relief from stress and torment of buying. | | | | examination, look at it critically as you approach it. |
| Sincere advise to you is don't try to buy the airplane, if | | | | - Is it sitting squarely on its gear? |
| you are not yet dealt with airplanes. | | | | - Are antenna rising as they should? |
| Once you become ready to cure that ownership itch, | | | | - Is the paint consistent and are the N numbers the |
| you have a major decision to make: what kind of | | | | same size and style on both sides? |
| aircraft will you buy. Apart from the financial | | | | - Are the N numbers the same as you saw as you |
| considerations, deciding what to buy must be the first | | | | approached the aircraft? |
| step. Just because you have trained or built most of | | | | - Is the ownership listed on certificates properly? |
| your flying hours in a particular model or brand doesn't | | | | No need to check all the features listed below, but |
| mean that particular aircraft will be the best for your | | | | prescribing as a safety measure: |
| purchase. Some questions to ask yourself: | | | | - Are the struts equally extended? |
| - What is my purpose to buy airplane? | | | | - Any corrosion in wings? |
| - Any one fly with me? If, how many? | | | | - Any rust or corrosion on the hinges of flaps? |
| - Can I maintain it? The spare parts readily available? | | | | - Are the doors, Windows sealed properly to keep out |
| - Which type of airplane suits me best? | | | | water and noise? |
| That last question is very crucial. Most of the accident | | | | - Brakes. Wheels, Tires, Hydraulic struts are proper? |
| statistics tells us, the accidents occurred due to the | | | | - Elevators, Trim tabs, Rudder, Vertical stabilizers are |
| low-performing pilots getting into high-performing | | | | fit well? |
| planes. It is far better to trade up as your pilot skills and | | | | - Propeller is on track? |
| experience increase than to become an accident | | | | - Any fuel or oil leaks in engine? |
| statistic. To be certain, try out different aircraft. Fly with | | | | Fly once: |
| friends. Talk with other pilots at the field from which | | | | When you satisfied with the visual inspection, get it to |
| you usually fly, and make a ride with them. Many pilots | | | | take into the air. If you haven't dealt with the particular |
| will welcome taking you along on a flight. Go to flight | | | | model or type, be safe and take an instructor with you. |
| institutes where they have different aircraft and take | | | | Some of the items to check once: |
| check rides with instructors in various aircraft. Now | | | | - Is engine easy or hard to start? Hard means some |
| that you have tapered it down, start your search for | | | | problems with electrical or fuel system. |
| your dream aircraft. | | | | - Be sure that engine instruments are operating in |
| Look first: | | | | correct range. |
| If you find something that looks and sounds like it is just | | | | - How the aircraft moves with your feet off the |
| waiting for you to travel to see it-or have the owner | | | | rudder pedals? |
| deliver it for your personal inspection-your buying | | | | - Any unusual shimmy in the nose gear? |
| chores are just beginning. The first thing you want to | | | | - How quickly the gear cycle and the indicator lights |
| do is get a copy of the FAA Type Certificate for the | | | | working |
| aircraft that interests you. Get a copy from the | | | | - If retractable gear, how quickly does the gear cycle |
| Internet | | | | and are indicator lights working, if retractable gear is |
| Here, you will find all the specifications about the | | | | there? |
| aircraft-applicable engines, propellers, gross weight, | | | | - Check the tum and bank indicator, If you need control |
| empty weight, speeds, etc. This site also lets you know | | | | to center the needle or ball, the aircraft properly is out |
| to what FAA regulation it was built. That's important | | | | of rig. |
| because the Type Certificate (TC) gives prominent | | | | - Are the radios Okay? |
| information about service life and mandatory | | | | - Check for oil leaks if any after landing |
| replacements. These certification rules will influence | | | | If you satisfied with all you have seen and done, you |
| your maintenance costs. Now that you have the | | | | are ready to negotiate. |
| basics out of the way you can settle in on the | | | | |