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Sorry for the flurry of questions. I have found a nice shiny 152 in Indiana. I'm in Virginia, so it's about a 4 hour flight. The owner is an A&P and we have talked on the phone and sent a few emails. He has given me his IA's phone number and is going to scan and email his log book entries for the past few annuals. I was going to let my mechanic look over the logs and call the IA and have a chat with him before I do anything else. But with all the horror stories and paranoia from folks at my airport, I find myself a bit disturbed- I don't want to loose big time but then again, this looks like a nice airplane and I don't want to pass it up if it is. Other than an independent pre-buy, what other things I can do to minimize my risk?

Ask here if there is anybody that is in the area willing to go and take a look at it. That is how I became acquainted with Mr. Ed when it was in Texas with me living here in Oregon.

How about tail number? Somebody in the club might know the airplane. There may also be a club member who lives close to the airplane and can take a look or knows some local lore.

Reg

If it passes the pre-buy inspection, I recommend opening an AOPA escrow account. If you don't have a lot of time on your hands, it makes the process easier.

I live in Indiana, if it's in my neck of the woods I could have a look see for you. I might even be able to talk one of my A&P friends into going along.

Even pre-buys do not guarantee anything. My last two pre-buys failed to show HUGE problems with airplanes I have purchased. You just need to be aware that the first year of aircraft ownership can (not always) be like the first year of marriage....total bliss until you find out that "she squeezes the toothpaste tube from the top". Then after you begin sinking some cold hard cash into her, you will quickly be sorted out as to whether or not you have what it takes for aircraft ownership.

Like a marriage, it can be a trial sometimes, but the benefits make it worth it (when you have the "right one").

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I am assuming, Jeff, that you were not aquainted with the person performing the prebuy in either of these situations?

That is why I have always stated that a prebuy, or even an annual, is usless unless you your self do the inspection. Or have somebody that you already know and trust do the inspection. Mr. Ed is also another perfect example. It was annualed during the sales process. By a certified Cessna repair facility, no less. And yet look at all the major descrepancies that I have repaired in the mean time that were present during that inspection..........

Yep! Buyer beware!

I purchased my Airplane out of state and was very fortunate. I contacted the owner after previously driving by to look at it. It was neglected and had basically sat for two years outdoors. If we could get it running and fly-able I would bring it home and take it apart (Annual Inspection) If it was not in the shape I wanted I would fly it back and park it where I got it. That is exactly what I did with no money changing hands and only my word. I love to do business between honest individuals. The inspection found some things, not surprising, the biggest was a bad cylinder. Talked to the owner and told him everything we had found that needed work and lets negotiate. If we could not reach a fair price for both of us I would return the plane and he would be out only the labor and cost of the rebuilt cylinder. We reached a price we both could live with and a check and bill of sale was sent.

Did my mechanic and I find everything on that first annual? Nope and on two additional annuals we missed things, Nothing major but things that needed repair. Enter Annual 2006 just completed. Had Gary Shreve do this one and his eyes found other things. Some we fixed (Carb Rebuilt) others are on the to do list because they need attention for minor issues (Front crank seal seeping) Radio cooling scat hoses in sad shape, etc.

Bottom line is you can always find something and the more eyes you have looking the more you will find. I fix what we find and every year add a nice to have or want item. This year the wing tip strobes will have to wait since the $$ went to carb rebuild. I figure by the year 2010 I will have everything I want on it. That is if the good Lord is willing.

Would I do it all over? In a heart beat. Too much joy is had not too. Someday I maybe homeless and sleeping under the wing but I will be happy. Kind of reminds me of Clinton.

Bottom line is don't hurry, find what you want and make sure what you see is what you get.

The fact that the owner is an AP and his friend is an IA should not be relied upon in any way. It means nothing and sometimes means trouble (read conspiracy).

Have a third party AP/IA (unknown by the owner) do a 4 or 5 hour inspection. Check and recheck the airframe, engine and prop logs.

In the end, if it is a go, use AOPA Escrow Service.

That's my two cents.

Many good planes are purchased from "out of state" and the results turn out quite well. I purchased mine from "out of country" last year. IE, Texas to BC. Had the prebuy done by a reputable shop before I went down to purchase. For importation into Canada, the 150 had to be brought back to original certified standard. So,, a 3 week inspection started,, with a lot of input and directing from me,, end result was the only thing that could be found wrong was inside the prop spinner, there was a bit of wear showing from the spinner bulk heads. Changed spinner and that was all that was required. The first annual was a piece of cake, using the same AI that did the import. We hear of the ones that don't go well, but I would guess there are way more good deals that occur then the occasional bad one. The BIGGEST advice I could give is,, unless you're real familiar with the type of plane, bring a critical friend along that knows and understands the model quite well. Rely on his observations, if he says don't do it, forget it.