Aircraft pre-buy inspection, planes and helicopters
Book a licensed aircraft engineer for a pre-buy inspection. Logbooks and ADs, airframe corrosion, engine compression and borescope, rotors, avionics and a test flight.
An aircraft's value lives in its logbooks and its engine. Missing records, open airworthiness directives, corrosion or a tired engine can cost more than the purchase price. A licensed aircraft engineer (AME in India, A&P in the US) reviews the records and inspects the aircraft before you buy.
What can go wrong
- Missing or incomplete logbooks
- Open airworthiness directives and service bulletins
- Corrosion around rivets and joints
- Low compression or metal in the oil
- Rotor blade erosion and gearbox chips on helicopters
How it works
Book in two minutes
Tell us what to check, the address and the date. Confirm your email with a 6-digit code.
A verified expert visits
A mechanic, engineer, inspector or surveyor near you calls, then checks every item on the list with you.
You get the report
A clear verdict, every issue with photos and notes, and what to ask the seller to fix before you sign.
The full checklist: 37 checks
The expert marks each check as OK, Issue or N/A, with notes and photos. Checks marked with a label only apply to that type.
Papers and logbooks
- Registration and airworthiness certificate
- Airframe, engine and propeller logbooks completeNo missing years.
- Airworthiness directives (ADs) and service bulletins complied with
- Last annual or 100-hour inspectionUsed only
- Damage history and major repairs (337s or equivalents)Used only
- Weight and balance and equipment list are current
- Life-limited parts and times remaining
- Title search, no liensUsed only
- Warranty, manuals and delivery paperworkNew only
Airframe
- Corrosion on skin, joints and control surfaces
- Dents, cracks, loose or working rivets
- Control surfaces, cables and pulleys
- Landing gear, brakes and tyresPlanes
- Skids or wheels and ground handling gearHelicopters
- Windshield and windows: crazing or cracks
- Paint and interior condition
Engine and propeller
- Engine hours since overhaul vs TBO
- Compression test resultsUsed only
- Borescope of the cylindersUsed only
- Oil analysis and filter check for metalUsed only
- No oil or fuel leaks
- Engine mounts and exhaust
- Propeller: nicks, track, time since overhaulPlanes
Rotors and drive
- Main rotor blades: damage, bonding, time leftHelicopters
- Tail rotor and drive shaftHelicopters
- Gearboxes and chip detectorsHelicopters
- Swashplate, pitch links and bearingsHelicopters
- Vibration analysis and track and balanceHelicopters
Avionics and systems
- Radios, transponder and GPS work
- Flight instruments and autopilot
- ELT battery in date and registered
- Pitot-static and transponder checks in date
- Battery, alternator and wiring
- Fuel system: sumps, tanks and gauges
Test flight
- Engine run-up within limits
- Test flight: performance, handling, no warnings
- All squawks written down
Questions
Who does the inspection?
Only licensed aircraft engineers: AME in India or A&P mechanics in the US. We check every licence before approving the expert.
Do you cover helicopters?
Yes. Helicopters add checks for the main and tail rotors, gearboxes and chip detectors, and vibration.
Is this a replacement for an annual inspection?
No. A pre-buy inspection tells you what you are buying. The aircraft still needs its regular inspections to stay airworthy.
Check it before you sign for it
Available in India and the USA. We confirm the fee with you before the visit.
Book an aircraft check