A question/call we get fairly often is a member calling who is looking to buy an aircraft and is need of a mechanic to do a prebuy. While AOPA can't recommend a mechanic or a service for this we can hopefully get you pointed in the right direction.
I'm aware of two companies that offer this service
(if anyone knows of any other please reply below)
Can't recommend either, but maybe someone else who has used them can add some color to the conversation below.
There are other options to the advertised services as well:
- Owners groups for the particular aircraft you're looking at buying
- Owners groups (Cessna Pilots Association, American Bonanza Society, Piper Owner Society, etc) are a wealth of information. Reaching out to these groups will help you immensely with information and they may be able to recommend a mechanic in your area that has expertise with your model.
- Contact the local FBO on the field at the aircraft's home base (or another airport close by).
- Contact a flying club nearby the aircraft's home base.
- A local flying club may be able to recommend a mechanic nearby that can do a prebuy
- You can find local flying club by utilizing AOPA's Flying Club Finder.
Another question we get is what should a prebuy include? It can be anything under the sun, but AOPA has published a
Purchase Inspection Checklist that will give you the basics. AOPA also has a printable
Aircraft Condition Checklist that you may find helpful as well.
You've got to remember that with a majority of the older fleet that the engine is worth more than the airframe, so you may want to have the mechanic start there. Because if the engine is no good it may not be worth continuing.
AOPA has published many articles/videos on this topic, here's some links to some:
This is just some of the more common questions/answers we have on this topic and resources that we share with members. Please feel free to expand on this topic below and share your knowledge on this topic.
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A question/call we get fairly often is a member calling who is looking to buy an aircraft and is need of a mechanic to do a prebuy. While AOPA can't recommend a mechanic or a service for this we can hopefully get you pointed in the right direction.
I'm aware of two companies that offer this service
(if anyone knows of any other please reply below) Can't recommend either, but maybe someone else who has used them can add some color to the conversation ...
more