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This is How Good Friends Roll

An unexpected favor for a friend turns into a fun day inspecting a Cessna 170B for Jason McDowell.

Logbooks and photos can tell you a lot about an airplane. But a flight with the seller can tell you even more. Jason McDowell
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A comprehensive pre-purchase evaluation for a used airplane involves a multi-step process: thoroughly reviewing logbooks for major repairs, conducting a detailed physical inspection for anomalies, and observing the owner's piloting habits during a test flight.
  • Logbook examination helps uncover past significant repairs like ground loop damage, while a physical inspection looks for structural inconsistencies such as odd rivets or signs of botched fixes.
  • A test flight with the current owner provides crucial insights into the aircraft's recent care and operational history, as their meticulousness (or lack thereof) in flying and engine management reflects how the plane has been treated.
  • Despite a thorough positive evaluation, the extremely competitive used airplane market means even highly sought-after aircraft can be quickly sold to other interested parties.
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It was a beautiful spring morning in Wisconsin, and I was looking forward to a relaxed day of writing and coffee when my buddy Jared called.

Jason McDowell

Jason McDowell is a private pilot and Cessna 170 owner based in Madison, Wisconsin. He enjoys researching obscure aviation history and serves as a judge for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association. He can be found on Instagram as @cessnateur.

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