It is the common itch that every pilot gets during the first flight and regardless of how many physical exams are taken to keep the medical certificates up to date, the itch rarely leaves. Yes, it’s the itch to buy and own an airplane. The itch won’t be cured permanently but certain tasks to be performed can make it less painful.

Airplane

No single injection of information can inoculate a person from possible dreadful reactions from the itch, but this information should give patients a direction toward relief from stress and torment of buying. Sincere advise to you is don’t try to buy the airplane, if you are not yet dealt with airplanes.

Once you become ready to cure that ownership itch, you have a major decision to make: what kind of aircraft will you buy. Apart from the financial considerations, deciding what to buy must be the first step. Just because you have trained or built most of your flying hours in a particular model or brand doesn’t mean that particular aircraft will be the best for your purchase. Some questions to ask yourself:

Aircraft

What is my purpose to buy airplane?

Any one fly with me? If, how many?

Can I maintain it? The spare parts readily available?

Which type of airplane suits me best?

That last question is very crucial. Most of the accident statistics tells us, the accidents occurred due to the low-performing pilots getting into high-performing planes. It is far better to trade up as your pilot skills and experience increase than to become an accident statistic. To be certain, try out different aircraft. Fly with friends. Talk with other pilots at the field from which you usually fly, and make a ride with them. Many pilots will welcome taking you along on a flight. Go to flight institutes where they have different aircraft and take check rides with instructors in various aircraft. Now that you have tapered it down, start your search for your dream aircraft.

Look first:

If you find something that looks and sounds like it is just waiting for you to travel to see it-or have the owner deliver it for your personal inspection-your buying chores are just beginning. The first thing you want to do is get a copy of the FAA Type Certificate for the aircraft that interests you. Get a copy from the Internet

Here, you will find all the specifications about the aircraft-applicable engines, propellers, gross weight, empty weight, speeds, etc. This site also lets you know to what FAA regulation it was built. That’s important because the Type Certificate (TC) gives prominent information about service life and mandatory replacements. These certification rules will influence your maintenance costs.
Now that you have the basics out of the way you can settle in on the specifics. Be alert to advertising stunts. Let these claims be proven. Check the paperwork to be certain the aircraft is airworthy; that is, it meets its type design and all proper alterations and ADs are to specifications. The aircraft’s paperwork should contain a history of all major repairs and alterations.

Practical is perfect examination:

If you are satisfied that these all in order, start thinking about examining the aircraft. Practical is perfect examination, look at it critically as you approach it.

Is it sitting squarely on its gear?

Are antenna rising as they should?

Is the paint consistent and are the N numbers the same size and style on both sides?

Are the N numbers the same as you saw as you approached the aircraft?

Is the ownership listed on certificates properly?

No need to check all the features listed below, but prescribing as a safety measure:

Are the struts equally extended?

Any corrosion in wings?

Any rust or corrosion on the hinges of flaps?

Are the doors, Windows sealed properly to keep out water and noise?

Brakes. Wheels, Tires, Hydraulic struts are proper?

Elevators, Trim tabs, Rudder, Vertical stabilizers are fit well?

Propeller is on track?

Any fuel or oil leaks in engine?

Fly once:

When you satisfied with the visual inspection, get it to take into the air. If you haven’t dealt with the particular model or type, be safe and take an instructor with you. Some of the items to check once:

Is engine easy or hard to start? Hard means some problems with electrical or fuel system.

Be sure that engine instruments are operating in correct range.

How the aircraft moves with your feet off the rudder pedals?

Any unusual shimmy in the nose gear?

How quickly the gear cycle and the indicator lights working

If retractable gear, how quickly does the gear cycle and are indicator lights working, if retractable gear is there?

Check the tum and bank indicator, If you need control to center the needle or ball, the aircraft properly is out of rig.

Are the radios Okay?

Check for oil leaks if any after landing

If you satisfied with all you have seen and done, you are ready to negotiate.