What to ask when looking for a plane...

Hello,

As some of you may have concluded with my other posts, we're looking at
a getting into a Twin Comanche and I'm curious about what questions to
ask after seeing a listing online and prior to getting to the "pre-buy"
inspection stage.

Currently i'm asking:

1. if all ADs/SBs are complied with and up to date
2. damage history
3. if all avionics work 100%
4. when the fuel bladders were replaced last
5. if all FAA337 forms for all mods are with the aircraft

Are there any specific questions I shuold be asking for this type of
airplane (or other questions i'm missing)?

Learning a lot!

Thanks,

Dico

6. Any corrosion?
7. Complete logs?
8. Ownership status (any liens)

That question is very, very, very specific to the airplane. Certainly
are you asking different questions when buying an Aeronca vs buying a
Mooney (the planes I've bought). I would look for some sort of a group
specific to your aircraft for a list of questions.

-Robert

First thing to do is plug the N-number into:

http://www.myairplane.com/databases/aircraft_report/

Bob


On 7 Feb 2006 12:49:15 -0800, "Dico" wrote:

Hello,

As some of you may have concluded with my other posts, we're looking at
a getting into a Twin Comanche and I'm curious about what questions to
ask after seeing a listing online and prior to getting to the "pre-buy"
inspection stage.

Currently i'm asking:

1. if all ADs/SBs are complied with and up to date
2. damage history
3. if all avionics work 100%
4. when the fuel bladders were replaced last
5. if all FAA337 forms for all mods are with the aircraft

Are there any specific questions I shuold be asking for this type of
airplane (or other questions i'm missing)?

Learning a lot!

Thanks,

Dico

Get the answer in writing. A thorough annual often finds ADs NOT
complied with even though supposed to be. A recent teardown of my
engine revealed the wrong size valves used at the last overhaul.

Set at least 10% of the purchase price aside to cover surprises.

Best approach is a complete review of the logbooks from day 1, but that
means you need to go look after you get serious.

The Twin Comanche has a tricky fuel system - lost an acquaintance a
number of years ago trying to switch tanks while flying an instrument
approach.

Twin Commanche on my field is supposedly for sale... It has had
outstanding maintenance...
KHYX... Saginaw Michigan Al Kauffman manager 989-295-0675
You might call during business hours and ask for details...

denny

Denny wrote:
Twin Commanche on my field is supposedly for sale... It has had
outstanding maintenance...
KHYX... Saginaw Michigan Al Kauffman manager 989-295-0675
You might call during business hours and ask for details...

denny


Thanks. I gave him a call!

Dico wrote:
Hello,

As some of you may have concluded with my other posts, we're looking at
a getting into a Twin Comanche and I'm curious about what questions to
ask after seeing a listing online and prior to getting to the "pre-buy"
inspection stage.

Currently i'm asking:

1. if all ADs/SBs are complied with and up to date
2. damage history
3. if all avionics work 100%
4. when the fuel bladders were replaced last
5. if all FAA337 forms for all mods are with the aircraft

Are there any specific questions I shuold be asking for this type of
airplane (or other questions i'm missing)?

Learning a lot!

Thanks,

Dico


Get the report on the plane from AOPA Title Services. Compare any
accident/incident reports or any 337s with the log books. Make sure
there's no old liens, and a clean chain of ownership with properly
signed BOS's. Buy title insurance.

I would be importing the plane to Canada... how does title insurance
work in that situation? Or does it?

-dr

On 8 Feb 2006 16:23:47 -0800, "Dico" wrote:

I haven't seen the whole thread, so forgive me if this doesn't relate,
but....

I can only speak to importing an aircraft from Canada to the
US. Maybe the info may still be useful....?

In the US, you pay your $53 (or whatever it is) to AOPA for the title
search, and that's the end of that (the title search spans nation wide
in the US).

When I imported my aircraft from Canada back into the US, I learned
(the hard way) that in Canada, I would have to conduct a title search
in each province that I believed the aircraft was based / operated in.

I did so in the (3) provinces the Transport Canada records showed
the aircraft had been registered in. The cost wasn't that big of a
deal... (maybe double, or a little more than what AOPA charges)
but doing business individually with each Canadian province seemed
a bit odd....

You may want to check with AOPA but I believe they will gladly take
your $53 bucks (or whatever it is these days) and conduct a
nation-wide US title search no matter where you are from.

Bela P. Havasreti


I would be importing the plane to Canada... how does title insurance
work in that situation? Or does it?

-dr