The Cessna Pilots Association (CPA) publishes guides to buying most types of
cessnas. These guides discuss important items on the prebuy inspection. In
addition, cessna.com lists all of their cessna certified maintenance shops.
When I bought, I had the plane flown to a field with such a shop (which was
of course referenced and was neutral), met it there, test flew it and had
the shop do a prebuy according to the CPA guide. Hope this helps.

"Paul Folbrecht" wrote in message
ink.net...
I am now getting close to the point where I will be seriously in the
market for an aircraft- most likely a C150 or 152.

I know that I'd be a fool to buy any airplane that I haven't had
inspected by a qualified A&P that is not, of course, affiliated with the
seller. But, let's say I travel a fair distance to another city to look
at an aircraft- I obviously don't know anybody there. I do not have a
pet A&P I can take along on my whim. Does it make any sense to simply
contact a local FBO, conduct a brief "interview" with A&P candidate, and
then let him have at it and pay him? Is there such a thing pilots will
"typically do" in such a situation?

And, on that note, what is reasonable cost for a pre-buy on such aircraft?

~Paul
~PP-SEL