drgwentzel
Pre-takeoff checklist
I am going to ask the group's opinion and I don't want to sound critical, so I am simply going to state facts:
my student is buying an airplane (has not solo'd yet) and we haven't flown in a year. We only spoke on the phone this week since a year ago.
the plane is a '55 Beechcraft Bonanza F35 V-tail
it sounds like he already bought it, he's making payments to the owner and that's all I know.
He does not know the TT on the airframe.
He thinks the engine has 1100 hours on it and it was last over-hauled in the late 80's.
He did not get a pre-buy inspection.
It is not in annual.
AD compliance unknown.
Damage history unknown.
He says the logbooks are complete AND HIS WIFE IS LOOKING THROUGH THEM...EH?! (she is not an IA or A&P)
He said the seller will provide an annual inspection at seller's expense.
He does not know how many hours the plane has flown in the last year, or 5 years. That can be determined in the logbooks I figure.
It has old radio's and avionics...nothing new except it looks like a 396 or 496 comes with it. No auto pilot that I can tell.
Exterior paint looks good in the pictures.
Interior looks original or from the 70's in fair condition.
He does not know if it was hangared or tied-down.
Corrosion unknown.
It has a single throw-over yoke. (that does it in for training or taking his checkride)
Prop condition unknown. (2 blade)
He does not know the seller, but says he is a "straight shooter" and he trusts him. Says he's in his 80's and owns several aircraft.
He said he's paying about 21,000 for it.
Comment: I tried to talk logic and explain the wisdom of a pre-buy inspection, and that a low price means nothing, and that it's better to buy a plane ready to go then one you will have to invest in. ie a new engine, new avionics, and many small repairs that have huge price tags. Most likely there will be more large repairs than small ones. I told him parts may be hard to find or will be expensive.
Ok...can I get the group's opinions on this?
my student is buying an airplane (has not solo'd yet) and we haven't flown in a year. We only spoke on the phone this week since a year ago.
the plane is a '55 Beechcraft Bonanza F35 V-tail
it sounds like he already bought it, he's making payments to the owner and that's all I know.
He does not know the TT on the airframe.
He thinks the engine has 1100 hours on it and it was last over-hauled in the late 80's.
He did not get a pre-buy inspection.
It is not in annual.
AD compliance unknown.
Damage history unknown.
He says the logbooks are complete AND HIS WIFE IS LOOKING THROUGH THEM...EH?! (she is not an IA or A&P)
He said the seller will provide an annual inspection at seller's expense.
He does not know how many hours the plane has flown in the last year, or 5 years. That can be determined in the logbooks I figure.
It has old radio's and avionics...nothing new except it looks like a 396 or 496 comes with it. No auto pilot that I can tell.
Exterior paint looks good in the pictures.
Interior looks original or from the 70's in fair condition.
He does not know if it was hangared or tied-down.
Corrosion unknown.
It has a single throw-over yoke. (that does it in for training or taking his checkride)
Prop condition unknown. (2 blade)
He does not know the seller, but says he is a "straight shooter" and he trusts him. Says he's in his 80's and owns several aircraft.
He said he's paying about 21,000 for it.
Comment: I tried to talk logic and explain the wisdom of a pre-buy inspection, and that a low price means nothing, and that it's better to buy a plane ready to go then one you will have to invest in. ie a new engine, new avionics, and many small repairs that have huge price tags. Most likely there will be more large repairs than small ones. I told him parts may be hard to find or will be expensive.
Ok...can I get the group's opinions on this?
Last edited:
but as someone said, it's his money...
"it's a bo" is all he needs to know. all you really need to know is the throw over yoke means you get to walk.
