With 27 years in aviation and 20 years of aircraft engine-building experience, Mike brings decades of hands-on knowledge to every pre-purchase evaluation. His inspections are designed to look beyond an aircraft's appearance and identify costly, hidden discrepancies before they become the buyer's responsibility.

 

AOPA emphasizes the importance of an independent pre-purchase inspection because it can uncover corrosion, deferred maintenance, incomplete records, airworthiness concerns and costly problems that may not be apparent from simply looking at or flying an aircraft.

 

Mike's pre-buys can include up to 1,000 detailed, labeled photographs documenting the aircraft and every discrepancy identified. Inspection panels are removed to examine and photograph internal areas of the wings, fuselage and tail section for corrosion, damage and other concerns. Flight-control cables and associated components are inspected for fraying, wear, chafing and other discrepancies, with detailed photographs reviewed on a large screen for closer examination.

 

On piston aircraft, Mike performs cylinder borescope inspections to evaluate valves, cylinder walls, piston crowns and other internal conditions, along with an engine ground run/run-up to assess engine operation and indications under power. He also evaluates applicable aircraft systems and performs an extensive logbook and maintenance-record review, including research into applicable FAA Airworthiness Directives and documented compliance.

 

Mike has helped buyers identify costly problems in aircraft that appeared excellent on the surface, giving them the information needed to renegotiate, require repairs or walk away before an expensive problem became theirs.

 

A beautiful aircraft can hide serious problems. Know what you're buying before you buy it.