Aircraft pre-buy inspections,
for buyers who want facts before feelings.
Logbooks · physical condition · avionics · NDT coordination · discrepancy summary · buyer decision support
A pre-buy is not an annual. It is a decision tool.
A pre-buy inspection exists to help a buyer understand risk before closing on an aircraft. It is not a substitute for an annual inspection, and it is not a guarantee that every future problem has been found. It is a focused look at records, condition, systems, obvious airworthiness concerns, and cost drivers that can materially change the purchase decision.
Roger Wilco Aviation Services performs pre-buy support from an FAA Part 145 repair-station environment at Chan Gurney Municipal Airport in Yankton, South Dakota. That matters when a purchase question crosses airframe, avionics, NDT, logbook, structural, or documentation boundaries.
A useful pre-buy turns aircraft condition, records, and open questions into a decision the buyer can act on.
Records first, then the airplane.
The best pre-buy starts before the aircraft arrives. Logbooks, equipment lists, photos, damage history, AD status, service-bulletin concerns, and recent invoices tell the shop where to look and which questions need a firm answer.
Logbook and records review
Inspection status, major repairs, STC history, AD/SB concerns, recurring discrepancies, and gaps in documentation.
Physical condition check
Airframe, engine-area, systems, obvious corrosion or damage signs, and condition items visible within the agreed scope.
Avionics and panel review
Installed equipment, upgrade potential, database/connectivity questions, wiring concerns, and Garmin-path implications.
NDT coordination
Eddy current, penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasound, or other inspection support when a known risk area deserves more than a visual look.
Discrepancy summary
Practical findings framed around risk, likely cost drivers, and buyer decision points.
RWAS listings can move straight into a pre-buy conversation.
The RWAS aircraft marketplace is built around cleaner listings, photos, and logbook upload paths. When a buyer wants more than listing copy, RWAS can help scope a pre-buy inspection around that exact aircraft. Sellers and buyers still control the transaction; RWAS provides inspection support when requested.
A pre-buy is most useful when the buyer, seller, and shop agree on the scope before the inspection begins. That prevents the common failure mode where everyone assumes a different level of review and nobody likes the invoice.
Send the aircraft, location, records, and deadline.
Useful pre-buy requests include the aircraft make/model, N-number, current location, seller contact path, asking price if relevant, target closing date, logbook PDFs or photos, recent inspection status, known squawks, damage history if disclosed, and the buyer questions that would change the deal.