Pre buy inspection

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Jim B

Pre-Flight
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Jim
Does anyone know an A&P in the Raleigh Durham, NC area that has knowledge about Vans RV’s that would do a pre buy inspection?

Thanks
 
Some Techs are reluctant to do PB’s as Buyers often treat them as

a guarantee.
 
Magman said:
Some Techs are reluctant to do PB’s as Buyers often treat them as

a guarantee.
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Usually when I do them, I tell them that this is just a general look over of the aircraft for any major issues and to ensure that it is indeed a solid aircraft, I recommend an annual inspection. A lot of the time sellers will do an "annual" prior to selling to make it look more pleasing. More often than not, it was a pencil whipped annual to get it out there. The unfortunate side of maintenance, a couple bad eggs give us all a bad rep.
 
Lama1125 said:
Usually when I do them, I tell them that this is just a general look over of the aircraft for any major issues and to ensure that it is indeed a solid aircraft, I recommend an annual inspection. A lot of the time sellers will do an "annual" prior to selling to make it look more pleasing. More often than not, it was a pencil whipped annual to get it out there. The unfortunate side of maintenance, a couple bad eggs give us all a bad rep.
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I agree, money talks. I’m just looking for a qualified mechanic who will check it out and give me an honest opinion. There’s got to be someone who’s willing to help me
 
Does anyone know an A&P in the Raleigh Durham, NC area that has knowledge about Vans RV’s that would do a pre buy inspection?
 
Jim B said:
There’s got to be someone who’s willing to help me
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With amateur-built you maybe better served to contact an EAA group or similar either local to you or to the aircraft. They tend to know who can assist you with this type work. You'll find A&Ps, in general, are either too busy or prefer not to assist with E/ABs unless this is something they have done in the past.
 
Jim B said:
I agree, money talks. I’m just looking for a qualified mechanic who will check it out and give me an honest opinion. There’s got to be someone who’s willing to help me
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If I was closer, I would love to. Unfortunately, I'm in middle TN.
 
Lama1125 said:
I mean, I don't mind flying out there to do it. It just might be cheaper to do it closer.
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I dunno the RV world, but I do prebuys in the Beech world. I was just sent to Switzerland of all places because nobody else would travel there. I actually get to the east coast for about 20% of my gigs -- I'm in CA. Apparently buyers hear "No" from local shops constantly, so there's a need to fill. :)
 
JimB

Would you be on site? It’s important to realize that it’s the Buyer that

should dictate the scope of the Survey.
 
Jim B said:
Does anyone know an A&P in the Raleigh Durham, NC area that has knowledge about Vans RV’s that would do a pre buy inspection?

Thanks
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Yes, PM being sent
 
schmookeeg said:
I dunno the RV world, but I do prebuys in the Beech world. I was just sent to Switzerland of all places because nobody else would travel there. I actually get to the east coast for about 20% of my gigs -- I'm in CA. Apparently buyers hear "No" from local shops constantly, so there's a need to fill. :)
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That's weird, I've never told a customer no to a prebuy that I can think of. Only way I would say no is if it is a weird plane that nobody knows about or a jet. I've gone to the surrounding states to work on one but that was about the extent of it. We can't afford to have me gone often but I rarely get a request like that. If you hear of anyone down my way that needs anything, send them to me. I'll gladly take care of them haha
 
Lama1125 said:
That's weird, I've never told a customer no to a prebuy that I can think of. Only way I would say no is if it is a weird plane that nobody knows about or a jet. I've gone to the surrounding states to work on one but that was about the extent of it. We can't afford to have me gone often but I rarely get a request like that. If you hear of anyone down my way that needs anything, send them to me. I'll gladly take care of them haha
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For reference, I am trying to get a baron prebuy done (I recused myself for knowing both seller and buyer and not wanting to be in the middle of any drama) in Phoenix -- the BEST timeline for an airframe-ONLY prebuy (which on my checklist is maybe 4-5 hours' work depending on the jacks and tailweight I have to work with) -- is April 2026. It's naynays out there. :mad2:
 
It’s been said before:

Annual = Airworthiness

PB = Financial Deal


Sellers tend to get upset when I write up chipped, faded or runs in paint.

Similar with interior. Most US guys freak out when asked for fabric certs.

My thought is the “Paperwork” is best checked by the person that will

do future Annuals. It can reduce “ First Annual Blues”.

I DO like when most Brokers have the logs on-line.
 
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