Pre-buy Inspection

[Samsam]

Can anybody recommend an AP (Cub expert) would be willing to travel to Iowa for a very detailed and thorough pre-buy?

[Grant]

I sent you a PM.

[Torch]

When we purchased our plane I was driving by the east ramp at Fairbanks and saw a red Super Cub sitting against the fence by one of the hangars. I walked in and asked the mechanic if the plane was for sale. He told me indeed it was. I asked him if it was a good airplane. He said, yes it is. I ask him for the key. He gave me the key. I walked out to the plane, turned on the master switch and radio. I called ground and did a radio check which was loud and clear. I turned off the radio and master switch, walked back into the hangar and asked how much. The mechanic told me what the guy was asking and I said I will take it. True story. The Cub has been a really nice performing airplane. We have owned it for 11 years now. She looks and flies great as far as I am concerned. Good luck with your purchase. I would rather be lucky than good.

[Samsam]

Torch,
That's because a man's word in Alaska is worth a hell of a lot more than down here....

[WWhunter]

Guess I am like Torch. All of the planes I purchased have pretty much been: talking to the owner, taking a short flight and then writing a check. I am pretty trusting of most people and can usually tell when someone is being the "snake oil" saleman. I guess its like anything else, it may check out fine and the day after you buy it something can go wrong. Just one of the chances you take with a mechanical device. Whereas a prebuy can help find potential problems they won't find everything.

Keith

[Speedo]

Mark Drath (Supercub MD) is in WI. He is very knowledgeable about cubs, among other things. Perhaps you can work something with him.

[bearsnack]

I work on a lot of airplanes that have serious problems the owners do not know about until a mechanic finds the problem.
So, they don't have to be deceiving in their sales tactics..... they really don't know.
An airplane is an investment, you can lose a lot of money and fast.
I would discourage against impulsive purchasing in this department.

[Grant]

I will agree. I have seen it before on bigger airplanes where a potential buyer hires me to evaluate an aircraft. I'll do it and then advise against buying it but it never seems to help. As soon as they saw the airplane with its new paint and panel and new leather interior they were sold. Nothing I do or say will change thier mind. Hell I know someone who bought a plane off ebay and the guy (seller) was laughing when he delivered the plane. It took a mechanic about 2 minutes to find enough unairworthy items to put it in the shop for a few months. Do be careful. Just because it is in good shape doesn't make it a good investment. I would love to help with this pe-purchase but my experience is with the heavier airplanes and I would not want to mis judge an airplane from my inexperience with cubs.

[JayH]

Possibly Jim Drometer in Belle Plaine MN. Where abouts in IA - Would be quite a drive for him to Southern IA.