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