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