Pre-Purchase Evaluations

With a growing used aircraft inventory on the market, it is important to look hard at the aircraft and be sure it is the best value. There are several things to consider when you are looking for a good used aircraft for sale.

A pre-purchase evaluation partly consists of a physical inspection of the aircraft for sale. Each unique model has a different maintenance and inspection schedule which was published by the aircraft manufacturer. Knowing where on that timeline your aircraft currently lies can make a huge difference in the valuation of the aircraft for sale.

Inspecting Your Aircraft for Sale

Choose a maintenance provider that is knowledgeable about the specific make and model of the aircraft for sale. Anyone can inspect an aircraft. With such a pricey investment, make sure it’s a seasoned technician inspecting your aircraft for sale. A common shortcut that a buyer will take is to perform an abbreviated inspection based on the fact that some major inspection was just accomplished by a reputable maintenance provider. There have been several cases when the shortcut came back to bite the new owner. In all cases, a complete tip-to-tail inspection should be performed on the prospective aircraft by an expert.

Keep the scope and detail of your inspection simple. The inspection should be performed as part of the pre-purchase in order to uncover any possible hidden damage or corrosion, and is meant to be a tip-to-tail inspection.

Have your expert technician be involved in both flight and ground runs to check engine power and avionics systems performance. Engine runs can tell a seasoned technician a lot about the condition of the engine. Record any problems found during the aircraft operational checks so that during final runs you can make sure everything was corrected.

Engine problems are expensive. Inspect the hot sections and gas generator sections of the engine on your aircraft for sale. It is best to have the engines disassembled enough for the technician to look directly at the hot section components and check for damage. However, in some cases this just isn’t practical. Borescope technology has come a long way and problems are much easier to see with the newer scopes.

All Business. “A Market Flooded With Used Aircraft.” 11 Nov. 2009 [http://www.allbusiness.com/manufacturing/transportation-equipment-mfg-aerospace/11815201-1.html].