I'm New...Help please

[JohnH]

Hi Guys,
I'm new here but I've been lurking around for a few weeks. I presently don't a plane but I'm looking. The kids are almost finished with school and now I'm beginning to find myself with more time and a little extra $. When purchasing a old plane what are some of the most common pitfalls to watch out for? Do planes have titles like car? How much of the work can I do myself? I'm totally new to this.

Thanks for any help.
John

[crispy critter]

Re: I'm New...Help please

John,from the way your are asking I must ask....are you a pilot?If you are not then the best advice I have is to get your license or at least get most of the training done before you commit to buying a plane.
As for the other questions,planes have Bill of Sales and Registrations but it's not like a car,you do transfers through the mail and you don't have to register it at the court house.You can do some of the work yourself as long as it falls under owner maintance or preventive maintanace..oil changes,repacking wheel bearings,lubrication,etc. To do repairs or alterations you must have a licensed aircraft mechanic do it or at least observe while you do it.Pit falls in my opinion can fall into so many different catigories...maybe some of these more seasoned fellows can comment better on that one.There are many pit falls depending on where your aircraft knowlege level starts.
Good luck looking and I hope we can all give you some good encouraging advice that helps you properly weight the decision.

[N96337]

Re: I'm New...Help please

I'll echo everything Kevin says, and add that probably corrosion and rot are the two biggest pitfalls to watch for. Corrosion of anything that's metal.. tubes, ribs, anything like that, and rot of fabric, and wood. Don't buy a plane until you have someone that's familliar with them or better yet, a licensed mechanic go over it with you... I've seen a lot of really nice people get stung that way.
Glad to have you here!
JH (another John H.)

[hangarb7]

Re: I'm New...Help please

My advice is to have the mechanic who is going to do the work or look over your shoulder while you do the work, to do a complete pre-buy inspection that would equate to an annual condition inspection.

I made the mistake of having an unknown mechanic do the pre-buy (did one myself also and I know a little about the subject) but the mechanic at my field who eventually did the first annual found LOTS of stuff that was bad, going bad, or just plain done wrong in the last sixty years. I couldn't disagree with any of it once he pointed it out and I did some research here.

I was lucky to do the work myself and have him sign it off. Took two years of my (not so much) spare time.

Also, buy a plane that is at least currently flying.

Jack Dernorsek
N44057
Flying agin' and loving it.
'46 BC12D

[Swick-T N7010S]

Re: I'm New...Help please

I also belive you should find a local EAA chapter and get involved with them. You will meet lots of people that will help you out when you decide to buy a plane. I love the old airplanes that are simple, less stuff to break. I bought my first aiplane for my 20th birthday, a 41 Tcraft. I was almost finished with my private license when I bought it and did my X countries in the T-craft. I agree with everybody find a mecanic that will work on the plane and have them look at it before you buy.

Mike

[alwaysoar]

Re: I'm New...Help please

John--Check your private messages. I've put together info that can help you through the process of buying a plane.

Ed@BTV VT
TF 527

[fearofpavement]

Re: I'm New...Help please

Unless you desire to get up to your elbows in an aircraft project, in almost every case it is much cheaper (although it may not seem like it at first) to buy an aircraft that someone has already restored/refurbished than to buy a "great deal" project plane. If you want to have a plane to fly, buy one that is airworthy. If you like to tinker and enjoy the process by all means buy a project. (completion times more likely measured in years and not weeks or months, many on this site would concur with that...) Maybe one of each? something to fly while you're fixing up one really nice. Keep in mind if you buy an aircraft 50 or 60 years old it is not going to depreciate as long as it is stored properly. Welcome aboard!!