Maybe it’s because I’ve screwed up more than most (living) pilots, but I often get calls from angry, confused or worried aviators: “Fiddling with my iPad and taxied across a hold-short line”; “Didn’t check notams and flew through a TFR”; “Assumed the other guy was PIC”; “Forgot about my flight-review (annual, physical, etc.) date”; “Blew my altitude by 500 feet”; “Lost it and groundlooped in a crosswind”; “‘Somebody’ forgot to secure my oil cap (fuel cap, dzus fastener, baggage door, etc.)”; “Thought the line guy topped it off.” …
Unusual Attitudes: Minimizing the Pain When Buying a Plane
Key Takeaways:
- Buying an older, used airplane is a significant risk ("crapshoot") due to prevalent issues like misrepresented condition, incomplete maintenance records, and undisclosed damage history.
- Sellers often provide superficial "annuals" or make misleading claims about engine overhauls and total flight time, making it difficult for buyers to ascertain the true airworthiness.
- Emotional attachment to a specific aircraft type frequently leads buyers to forgo thorough, costly pre-purchase inspections, resulting in unexpected and significant repair expenses.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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