We hope that you will find the answers to these frequently asked questions helpful!

 When I find a suitable airplane, how will I know that it is a good one?

As pilots and aircraft owners ourselves, we know how important this concern is to any aircraft buyer.  AirplanesUSA has a full-disclosure policy whereby we honestly describe each aircraft according to the information that we are able to obtain.  

There is no substitute, however, for a proper pre-purchase inspection prior to buying an aircraft.  Our purchase agreements allow for this contingency.

A qualified A&P mechanic can best determine the state of an aircraft's condition and its maintenance records on your behalf.  Your cost for this inspection is a worthwhile investment.  Unless stated otherwise, it usually is the seller's responsibility to correct any deficiencies that might be found of an airworthiness nature prior to your purchase. 

 Are there any warrantees offered?

Unless you are purchasing a newer aircraft, most pre-owned aircraft, regardless of where purchased, are usually sold "as-is/where-is".  There is nothing derogatory meant by the term "as-is". It simply means that all manufacturer warrantees have expired and no other warrantees are being included with the sale. 

However, AirplanesUSA does offer  an optional Mechanical Breakdown Protection Policy which covers most aircraft components in an unforeseen breakdown. Restrictions apply. Ask us for a price quote or click here for more info:  Av-Guard! 

 I've been talking with you about this airplane!  Now, it's no longer available??  

Unfortunately, sometimes this happens. 

It is not uncommon for us to have more than one party interested in the same aircraft simultaneously.  The moment that a customer places a deposit on an aircraft, that aircraft is deemed to be "off the market". 

That customer now has the "First right of refusal" while he is provided with time to further inspect the aircraft, obtain any required financing, and close on the deal.  

In the meantime, if you are still interested in the aircraft, you can place a deposit for the "Second right of refusal".  Should the aircraft not be purchased by the first customer for any reason whatsoever (including their inability to properly fund the aircraft), you would then have your chance to inspect and purchase the aircraft yourself.

But, of course, the moral of the story is to not wait!  If you like it, put a hold it! 

 Will the owner of the aircraft that you represent accept $xxx,xxx?

Your offer will then either be accepted, denied, or counter-offered by the aircraft's owner.  If unable to reach an accord, your funds will be returned as per your agreement.

 May I perform a Pre-Purchase Inspection on the aircraft prior to signing the Purchase Agreement and placing a deposit on the aircraft?

This is not possible for reasons which we will explain.

You are always welcome to have anyone of your choice come to do a basic "preview" of the aircraft.  The logbooks can be made available for your review. 

However, please understand that we represent the aircraft owner and his aircraft.  So as to protect them from multiple comprehensive ("pre-purchase") inspections requiring engine run-ups, compression checks, panel openings, etc. by persons unknown to either the owner or ourselves, we require that there be a conditional Aircraft Purchase Agreement in place with a deposit to show a potential buyer's sincere interest in purchasing the aircraft.  

We hope that you can understand our position and the difference between a "preview" and a "pre-purchase" inspection.  We try to minimize multiple "deep exposures" to the aircraft so as to not risk something being unintentionally altered or not correctly replaced.  Our policy protects you as well in that the aircraft has not been allowed to have been openly tampered with during its marketing.

By the way, only licensed A&P mechanics may conduct pre-purchase inspections.

By operating in this fashion, we may also be saving you money too!  A Purchase Agreement will alleviate any discrepancies in expectations regarding sales price between yourself and the seller.  (Why spend money on an inspection if you do not know in advance whether or not the seller will accept your offer?) 

Our agreements also entitle you to the first right of refusal - stopping anyone else from buying the aircraft until you have had your opportunity to inspect it!  (Imagine spending money on an inspection while someone else is signing its purchase agreement!)

Your deposit will be refundable subject to the terms of your agreement as well as to your complete satisfaction once you have completed the pre-purchase inspection (at your expense). 

In conclusion, you should not be afraid of going ahead with an Aircraft Purchase Agreement if you are sincerely interested in an aircraft.  It actually has some advantages for you!  It is simply a formality which also shows your sincere interest to the aircraft owner.  You are not committed to purchase the aircraft unless it meets with your complete satisfaction.

 Can I get a demo flight?

A demo/test flight is an integral part of the Pre-Purchase Inspection which also requires that there be a conditional Aircraft Purchase Agreement in place along with a deposit to show a potential buyer's sincere interest in purchasing the aircraft.

This protects our brokerage aircraft owners from any unnecessary extra liability and operational expenses of having to provide flights to multiple parties.

 May I speak to the aircraft's owner to ask him some questions?

AirplanesUSA has been hired as professionals to represent the owners of our listed aircraft with all aspects of the sale.  If you have a question that we do not immediately have an answer to, we will do our best to obtain it for you in a timely fashion.

Our clients generally do not wish to receive direct calls from potential buyers. Please respect their wishes in this matter.  Thank you.

 Do I need to purchase "Title Insurance"?

No.  Buying Aircraft Title Insurance is a personal decision but we highly recommend it. Similar to a homeowner's Title Insurance, Aircraft Title Insurance protects an aircraft owner against FAA-recording errors, federal or state tax liens (that do not usually show up on a Title Search), mechanics' liens, hangar/storage usage liens, etc. usually meant for a previous owner of your aircraft.

You can not depend upon our FAA friends to take sides on the proper determination of a debt lien.  They will not!  If they have a lien request or judgment against an aircraft, they will post it regardless of whom the current owner is!  (We have seen it happen!)

Title insurance also protects against forgeries or fraud (NOT by us, of course!). 

So, if you don't want to take the chance of losing your airplane, paying someone else's debt, or having to hire expensive attorneys, you should consider Title Insurance.  It is an inexpensive layer of protection available directly from any Aircraft Escrow/Title Company.

 What should I know about Aircraft Insurance?

Once you are certain that you will be accepting an aircraft, you should start to inquire about aircraft insurance.  However, there are some things that you should know which are often not told!

For private-use aircraft, insurance (although HIGHLY recommended) is actually not required unless you are financing any portion of the proceeds or if you will be using the aircraft for commercial purposes.  

Obtaining an aircraft insurance policy is usually a one or two day affair as you await the arrival of the price quotes from the various insurance companies.  

But searching for the lowest rates on aircraft insurance is NOT like searching for the lowest rates on automobile insurance!  With auto insurance, you can shop any one of the many companies directly on your own.  Conversely, since there are only a few aircraft insurance companies, they require that you go through any one of the many independent aircraft insurance agents on the market - all whom sell the same products!

You see, the aircraft insurance companies dislike providing multiple rate quotes for the same aircraft to either various individuals or agencies that requests them.  They prefer that only one agent contact them.  So, they tend to keep track of the requested aircraft's registration number and the agency's name so as to deal with just the one agent (whomever that might be)!

With few exceptions, once you give your aircraft’s tail number to an agent, you are usually tied to that agent!!  So, choose an agency wisely.  Talk to fellow pilots in your area to obtain recommendations.  You can always switch your agent later with a written request and still retain the same insurance company provider.  

You should note that it is to each insurance company’s benefit to automatically provide their lowest rate so as to earn your business!  And, it is to the agent’s benefit to maintain a good business relationship with its clients so as to keep your business. 

A good agent will provide you with the results of all the policy price quote requests and suggest which might be best suited.  (Least expensive is not always the best).  You can "bind" a policy once you are ready to take possession of the aircraft.