And here is my 2 bits worth (learned the hard way)
Just because the advertisement says that the AD-s are up to date don’t trust them. And don’t forget about Service Bulletins.
Plan on spending several hours going though the logbooks.
Get a list of the AD-s and SB-s for the plane you are looking at and check them off as you go though the logbook.
Although Service Bulletins are not mandatory, I would treat them as such, because they can be big-ticket items if they turn into an AD. And most are just the right thing to do, not just a CYA by the manufacture.
Things to look for in the logs
- Missing or incomplete logs, BIG RED FLAG
- Were annuals or 100-hour inspection done on time and not skipped. And what problems if any, were fixed.
- Calculate the numbers of hours flown each year. If they say it’s never been a trainer but it was getting over 200 hrs a year that could be a red flag.
- And on the other side, has the plane had years with little or no hours. This could be neglect.
- Engines also have a limit (not in stone) of years between overhauls something like 11 years, not just hours. (Engine could have been sitting on a shelf for many years before it was installed, not good for seals)
The goal is to get a good feel for how the plane was maintained, not just if every thing is legal.
Disclaimer- the above statement are only my opinions, you should use your own judgment as to whether to buy or not.
