When we purchase airplanes that are 30+ years old there are going to be, to use the politically correct term, ?issues?. Anyone who expects anything else is simply na?ve. The issues may be large, some small, some more or less benign and some that may be down right dangerous.
In any event sooner or latter they are going to have to be fixed. Why not go ahead and have your AI give your new plane a ?buyer?s annual inspection?. That is find and list EVERYTHING that repaired, replaced, lubricated or adjusted. Get it over with and go about having fun flying an airplane that you have confidence in. You won?t have to wonder about the condition of your plane and you won?t have to dread ?the first annual?. Have him make up two lists; items that are necessary to make the plane safe and legal and items the will be needing attention in the near future. You can make up your own list of ?upgrades? that you would like to make.
After you pay for the airworthiness items and set aside money for the upcoming maintenance you will have a good idea of how to budget for the cosmetics and upgrades.
Sure you are going to have to spend some money to get the plane in shape. You didn?t think that flying was going to be cheap did you? Think about it this way; ten years from now will you miss the money that you spend on required maintenance. If you will???????
It just doesn?t make sense to spend a dime on upgrades or cosmetics until you are sure that the plane is airworthy and serviceable.
