Q & A's from Buyers  

We hope that you will find the answers to these questions below helpful! 

- When I find a suitable airplane, how do I know it is a good one?

- I've been asking you questions about this airplane!  Now, it's no longer available?

- Will the owner of the aircraft that you represent accept $xxx,xxx?

- May I have a Pre-Purchase Inspection performed on the aircraft before I sign the Purchase Agreement and place a deposit on the aircraft? 

- May I speak to the aircraft's owner to ask him some questions?

- Do I need to purchase "Title Insurance"? 

          
  
 When I find a suitable airplane, how do I know it is a good one?

As pilots and aircraft owners ourselves, we know how important this concern is to you.  AirplanesUSA has a full-disclosure policy whereby we honestly describe each aircraft according to the information that we are able to obtain.  

There is no substitute, however, for a proper pre-purchase inspection prior to buying any aircraft.  Our purchase agreements allow for this contingency.

A qualified A&P mechanic can best determine the state of an aircraft's condition and maintenance records on your behalf.  Your cost for this inspection is a worth-while investment.  Unless stated otherwise, it would be the seller's responsibility to correct any deficiencies that might be found of an airworthiness nature prior to your purchase. 

Unless you are purchasing a newer aircraft, most pre-owned aircraft are usually sold "as-is/where-is".  In other words, all warrantees have expired.  AirplanesUSA, however, does make available an optional Mechanical Breakdown policy which covers most aircraft components in the case of an unforeseen breakdown.  Restrictions apply.  For more info, click here:  Av-Guard!  or call for a price quote. 

 I've been asking you questions about this airplane!  Now, it's no longer available?  

Unfortunately, sometimes this happens. 

It is not uncommon for us to have more than one party interested in the same aircraft simultaneously.  The moment that a customer places a deposit on an aircraft, that aircraft is deemed to be "off the market". 

That customer now has the "First right of refusal" while he is provided with time to further inspect the aircraft and obtain any required financing.  

In the meantime, if you are still interested in the aircraft, you may place a deposit for the "Second right of refusal".  Should the aircraft not be purchase by the first customer for any reason whatsoever (including the inability to come up with the required funds), you would then have your chance to inspect and purchase the aircraft yourself.

Of course, the moral of the story is to not wait!  If you like an aircraft - put a hold it! 

 Will the owner of the aircraft that you represent accept $xxx,xxx?

Your offer will then either be accepted, denied, or counter-offered by the aircraft's owner.  If unable to reach an accord, your funds will be returned per your agreement.

 May I have a Pre-Purchase Inspection performed on the aircraft before I sign the Purchase Agreement and place a deposit on the aircraft? 

This is not possible for reasons which we will explain.

You are always welcome to have anyone of your choice come to do a basic "preview" of the aircraft.  The logbooks will be made available for your review. 

However, please understand that we represent the aircraft owner and his aircraft.  So as to protect them from multiple complete ("pre-purchase") inspections requiring engine run-ups, compression checks, panel openings, etc. by unfamiliar persons to either the owner or ourselves, we require that there be an Aircraft Purchase Agreement in place to show your sincere interest in purchasing the aircraft.  

We hope that you can understand our position and the difference between a "preview" and a "pre-purchase" inspection.  We try to minimize multiple "deep exposures" to the aircraft so as to not risk something being unintentionally altered or not correctly replaced.  Our policy protects you as well from unknown hands going through the aircraft prior to your purchase.

By the way, only licensed A&P mechanics may conduct pre-purchase inspections.

By operating in this fashion, we may also be saving you money as well!  A Purchase Agreement will alleviate any discrepancies in sales price expectations between yourself and the seller.  (There is no sense in spending money on an inspection if you do not know, in advance, that a buyer will accept your offer!) 

Our agreements also entitle you to the first right of refusal - stopping anyone else from buying the aircraft until you have had your opportunity to inspect it!  Imagine spending money on an inspection while someone else is signing its purchase agreement!

Your deposit will be refundable subject to the terms of your agreement as well as to your complete satisfaction once you have completed the pre-purchase inspection at your expense. 

In conclusion, you should not be afraid of going ahead with the aircraft purchase agreement if you are interested in an aircraft.  It actually has advantages for you!  It is a formality which also shows your sincere interest to the aircraft owner.  You are not commited to purchase the aircraft unless it meets with your full satisfaction.

 May I speak to the aircraft's owner to ask him some questions.

AirplanesUSA has been hired as professionals to represent the owners of our listed aircraft with all aspects of the sale.  If you have a question that we do not immediately have an answer to, we will do our best to obtain it for you in a timely fashion.

Our clients generally do not wish to receive direct calls from potential buyers.  Please respect their wishes in this matter.  Thank you.

 Do I need to purchase "Title Insurance"?

This is as personal decision.  But similar to a homeowner's Title Insurance, Aircraft Title Insurance protects an aircraft owner against FAA-recording errors, federal or state tax liens (that do not usually show up on a Title Search), mechanics' liens, hangar/storage usage liens, etc. usually meant for a previous owner of your aircraft.

You can't depend upon our FAA friends to take sides on the proper determination of a debt lien.  They won't!  If they have a lien request or judgment against an aircraft, they will post it regardless of whom the current owner is!  (We've seen it happen).

Title insurance also protects against forgeries or fraud (NOT by us, of course!). 

So, if you don't want to take the chance of losing your airplane, paying someone else's debt, or having to hire expensive attorneys, you should consider Title Insurance.  It is an inexpensive layer of protection available directly from any Aircraft Escrow/Title Company.