Buying an homebuilt?
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Buying an homebuilt?
What are the do's and don't when comes time to buying a homebuilt a/c?
Re: Buying an homebuilt?
Get someone really familiar with the model you're looking at to look at potential purchases with you.
Re: Buying an homebuilt?
Make sure its straight. See Tony Bingilis books. Its usually obvious if there are really big tabs on it.
Re: Buying an homebuilt?
Tell the owner he needs to fly it across the province himself to deliver it, expenses paid.
If he declines don't buy it.
If he declines don't buy it.
Re: Buying an homebuilt?
Oh boy... where to start with this one...
Depends, what are you looking at buying? But I'll give it a shot...
1-Find out who built it and call them up (if the guy seller isn't the builder), if he's a competent builder he'll have tons of logs, receipts and photos of his build. Look through them or at least talk to the builder about it.
2-Check the logbooks, although it can be maintained by the builder/pilot it still needs log books and all the same entries as a certified plane, just the logs can be signed by the pilot/builder.
3-Check the website of the manufacturer of the plane you are looking at buying, most have forums with TONS of information on any issues with the type of plane you are looking at. Join the forums and ask questions or search the forums for any issues with that plane.
4-If your mechanical knowledge is limited, get an AME to look through the plane. Even homebuilts should still have AN hardware throughout, MIL spec wiring and such, if not, run don't walk away!
5-Pick a homebuilt that has a good reputation with good builder support and that have been around a while.
6-Go up for test flight and see if the plane is right for you. Don't kid yourself about your abilities, many homebuilts will put the majority of certified planes to shame performance wise.
7-Same goes for the panel, there is INSANE avionics for homebuilts that will blow you away with their capabilities at the fraction of the price of anything certified and state of the art. Make sure you know what you are looking at.
All I can think of from the top of my head right now... Good luck!
Depends, what are you looking at buying? But I'll give it a shot...
1-Find out who built it and call them up (if the guy seller isn't the builder), if he's a competent builder he'll have tons of logs, receipts and photos of his build. Look through them or at least talk to the builder about it.
2-Check the logbooks, although it can be maintained by the builder/pilot it still needs log books and all the same entries as a certified plane, just the logs can be signed by the pilot/builder.
3-Check the website of the manufacturer of the plane you are looking at buying, most have forums with TONS of information on any issues with the type of plane you are looking at. Join the forums and ask questions or search the forums for any issues with that plane.
4-If your mechanical knowledge is limited, get an AME to look through the plane. Even homebuilts should still have AN hardware throughout, MIL spec wiring and such, if not, run don't walk away!
5-Pick a homebuilt that has a good reputation with good builder support and that have been around a while.
6-Go up for test flight and see if the plane is right for you. Don't kid yourself about your abilities, many homebuilts will put the majority of certified planes to shame performance wise.
7-Same goes for the panel, there is INSANE avionics for homebuilts that will blow you away with their capabilities at the fraction of the price of anything certified and state of the art. Make sure you know what you are looking at.
All I can think of from the top of my head right now... Good luck!
Re: Buying an homebuilt?
The question was just asked recently on vansairforce.com and already has some great advice on it:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/s ... p?t=116493
Regardless of whether an RV is in your short list, I strongly recommend setting up an account on vansairforce.com and doing some searching through the forums... There's an amazing wealth of knowledge there, and not all of it is RV-specific. There's a lot of collected wisdom about engines, avionics, etc. that applies to any amateur-built.
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/s ... p?t=116493
Regardless of whether an RV is in your short list, I strongly recommend setting up an account on vansairforce.com and doing some searching through the forums... There's an amazing wealth of knowledge there, and not all of it is RV-specific. There's a lot of collected wisdom about engines, avionics, etc. that applies to any amateur-built.
Re: Buying an homebuilt?
There are many great homebuilt designs out there, and some which are not so great. Similarly - construction. But bear in mind that homebuilt designs probably have not demonstrated compliance with certified design requirements. That's okay, as long as you are not expecting the characteristics you're use to for certified aircraft.
The greater performance may come at the cost of a slow stalling speed, and benign stall and spin handling. The super capable avionics might come at the cost of the reliability of the more basic electrical systems of certified aircraft. The light weight and simplicity might come at the cost of occupant protection on a crash. And the lighter weight, lower cost system might come at the cost of long term maintainability and durability.
None of the foregoing is a slight against homebuilt aircraft, they just have the potential to different to what you expect if you're used to certified aircraft - know what you're getting into....
The greater performance may come at the cost of a slow stalling speed, and benign stall and spin handling. The super capable avionics might come at the cost of the reliability of the more basic electrical systems of certified aircraft. The light weight and simplicity might come at the cost of occupant protection on a crash. And the lighter weight, lower cost system might come at the cost of long term maintainability and durability.
None of the foregoing is a slight against homebuilt aircraft, they just have the potential to different to what you expect if you're used to certified aircraft - know what you're getting into....
Re: Buying an homebuilt?
I've bought a couple of homebuilts over the years and the best advice I can give...
1) Research the heck out of the type including doing a search on accidents and causes. Most common types (and even uncommon) have a builders group or other online presence...use it.
2) Have an AME check it out...or someone that is an expert on the type.
I got caught once where my desire for the aircraft overroad my intelligence...best to have someone independent look at it tip to tale...I would also recommend helping them.
3) Get someone who knows the type (or very very similar type) to test fly it for you before purchase.
For all the same reasons as having an independent look it over.
4) Make sure the logs are complete and go through them
Tom H
1) Research the heck out of the type including doing a search on accidents and causes. Most common types (and even uncommon) have a builders group or other online presence...use it.
2) Have an AME check it out...or someone that is an expert on the type.
I got caught once where my desire for the aircraft overroad my intelligence...best to have someone independent look at it tip to tale...I would also recommend helping them.
3) Get someone who knows the type (or very very similar type) to test fly it for you before purchase.
For all the same reasons as having an independent look it over.
4) Make sure the logs are complete and go through them
Tom H
