(PaulaJay1) writes:

In article SJx1c.37294$PR3.745133@attbi_s03, "Robert Bates"
writes:

I agree with Jay. Anyone who won't let a mechanic look at it is hiding
something.

Not always, it's a two way street. Seven years ago when I bought my plane, the
owner flew it to my airport and my A&P did the pre-buy. Owner kept saying "I
should just go back home. I don't want to sell this plane" and I kept thinking
"Doesn't matter much what Tom finds, I want this plane." Well, someone
protects those in love, the plane passed, and all has gone well for the last
seven years.

However, now as an owner, I can see both sides. What if my A&P and I had been
dishonest? The A&P grounds the plane and my negotiating position sure has
improved. What if the inspection damaged something? You who have sold a
plane, (this one is my first) what are your comments. Can you have a pre-buy
by an A&P and not give him the option to ground the plane?

I'd ask the buyer to come with his mechanic to my hangar. He can ground
the plane all he wants, if the mechanic is just being a jerk, I'll get my
mechanic to undo the paperwork death.

A friend of mine was selling his Mooney, and flew it to the buyer's
choice of mechanic. It passed, but for reasons I don't recall, my
friend flew back home in the Mooney. A couple of days later, he takes
it to his shop for an oil change, and the mechanic there points out
how the landing gear doors had been misrigged during the prepurchase
inspection.

All ended well, but it's something I've been thinking about ever since.

-jav