How to Buy an Aircraft Safely

Here are the steps to take in transitioning your new airplane properly and cautiously.

Max Trescott

Monday, April 28, 2025 at 07:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Your goal for that first hundred hours should be to get plenty of flight instruction and gradually expand the envelope of conditions in which you'll fly. [Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots face a significantly increased risk of accidents shortly after purchasing a new aircraft, often within the first few days or weeks and especially during the initial ferry flight home.
It is crucial to budget for and obtain comprehensive, type-specific transition training from expert instructors (e.g., via type clubs or factory-trained specialists) to gain proficiency in the new aircraft.
To enhance safety during the initial flight of a newly acquired aircraft, always bring along a more experienced pilot in that specific type and plan extra time to mitigate risks from fatigue, weather, and potential mechanical issues.

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One of the major ways that pilots learn about safety is by reading about accidents. And years ago, I noticed a number of aircraft accidents involving newly purchased aircraft.

So, I did a search of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) database using phrases such as “recently purchased,” and sure enough, I found a boatload of accident reports. So many in fact that I created a presentation that I gave several times called, “How to Buy an Airplane and Not Crash on the Way Home.”