The pre-buy is the last gate before you close. Run it at a service centre that has no relationship with the seller, and budget two to four days of downtime per type-class.
Airframe
- Walk-around with maintenance records open — compare visible mods to logbook entries.
- Borescope the wing carry-through, lower fuselage, and tail box for corrosion.
- Check landing gear life-limited components against logbook hours and cycles.
- Verify mods and STCs are properly approved and documented.
Powerplant
- Hot-section borescope for thermal damage, blade tracking, and FOD.
- Compressor wash log and trend-monitoring data — not just the last data point.
- Engine program statement direct from the program administrator.
- APU hours, cycles, and program status independently verified.
Avionics
- ADS-B Out compliance verified by FAA Public ADS-B Performance Report.
- FANS 1/A and CPDLC for international ops — validate certification, not just installation.
- Software revisions current; OEM service bulletins reviewed.
- Database subscriptions transferred or quoted.
Paperwork
- Title search, lien search, FAA Aircraft Registry confirmation.
- Export certificate of airworthiness if cross-border.
- Damage history disclosed — pull insurance loss runs and FAA accident data.
- Maintenance trail from delivery, not just the last few cycles.
The items most buyers miss
- Cabin generation — soundproofing, lavatory access, connectivity hardware.
- Crew currency — type-rated pilots, recurrent training schedule, simulator availability.
- Hangar transfer — some hangar leases do not transfer, and waitlists are years.
- Insurance pre-quote — named-pilot rating before close, not after.
If any of these are unresolved at close, you are underwriting risk you did not price.