A pre-purchase inspection is the most important step in any aircraft acquisition. An independent maintenance facility examines every system, structure, and record to identify hidden issues before you commit capital. Skipping a PPI to save $50,000 can cost you millions.
What Gets Inspected
Airframe structure and corrosion. Engine borescope and trend monitoring data. Avionics functionality. Landing gear condition. Pressurization system. Flight control rigging. Complete maintenance record review. Compliance with airworthiness directives and service bulletins.
Cost & Timeline
Light jets: $15,000–$30,000, 5–7 business days. Midsize: $25,000–$50,000, 7–10 days. Heavy jets: $40,000–$75,000, 10–14 days. Engine borescopes add $3,000–$8,000 per engine.
Deal-Breakers
Corrosion beyond serviceable limits. Engine trend deterioration indicating imminent overhaul. Incomplete maintenance records. Undisclosed damage history. Non-compliance with mandatory airworthiness directives.
Frequently Asked Questions
The buyer pays for the PPI. This is standard industry practice.
Yes. Choose an independent facility — not the seller's maintenance provider. Authorized service centers for the aircraft type are ideal.
Negotiate with the seller. Options: seller repairs before closing, purchase price reduction, or walk away from the deal.
5–14 business days depending on aircraft size and complexity.
Not required, but recommended. Being present allows you to ask questions and see conditions firsthand.
Maintenance logbooks, engine trend data, airworthiness directive compliance list, and damage history (if any).
Any qualified maintenance facility can perform a PPI, but authorized service centers for your aircraft type have model-specific expertise.
Industry estimates suggest 15–25% of deals are renegotiated or terminated based on PPI findings.
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