I am a student pilot few hours into my training, looking to buy 150/152. I have read "Buying and owning 150...", now waiting for a couple general books about buying a plane.
I am not sure what are my steps after finding an ad for a plane but before ordering pre-buy inspection. What should be done before I commit myself to travel and pre-buy inspection?
Everyone says that you have to check logbooks. How can I check the logbook if the plane is 100s miles away? Do you actually travel to visit plane you find just to check logbooks? Is it normal to ask for photocopy of the logbook?
Lets say I contacted the owner and he gave me tail number and said that he has complete log books. What online resources can I use to get the history by the tail number? Are they all the same?
If the plane was registered outside of US at some point (lets say 10 years ago) - should I care?
How to translate SMOH and STOH numbers + log book entries to possible $$ numbers in the future? Lets say I have a plane advertised for 22K, 1400 SMOH, but owner says that all cylinders have been changed and have top compression. What is my expected $$ spendings (estimated) over next 200-300 hours? Over 500 hours?
And if anybody has a plane for sale near Seattle, WA - let me know
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Alexander
