Buying a microlight

[Flying Croc]

This question might have been posted a number of times on this forum, but is always relevant.

What must one look for if you buy a secondhand microlight, what are the questions one should ask?

What is the best one of them all?

[Aerosan]

Crock the thing is you will get a biased answer... even the Devil will be Quick to give his version

[Thunderboy]

Croc, firstly are you looking for a Trike or 3 axis

That will help the relevant guys give their bit

[Thunderboy]

Crock the thing is you will get a biased answer... even the Devil will be Quick to give his version

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Are there any guys who offer a pre purchase inspection service on trikes similar to PPI on bliks. Basically a pre determined list of checks and estimate cost to get it legal and airworthy?

[Bennie Vorster]

Question 1 * : Give me three reasons you will not by this plane again if you were interested in buying it now.

Question 2 * : What warranty do I have on this plane and for how long?

Question 3 * : Will you please first fly it for me doing circuits and landings for 30 min before stopping to take me for a flip or a cross country. If not, keep it.

Question 4 * : Please do an AP with me on the airframe and engine before I'll take it.

Then, Do not buy on impulse.

Do not buy if you or the current owner is in a rush, rather make an appointment for another day.

Take someone knowledgably with you for a second opinion right there even if you have to pay him for his services.

If possible draw up a list before the time with questions to ask and checks to be done, if possible let someyone that is type rared assist you in drawing up the checks to be done.

Do a second AP as soon as you reach your home base and before you fly it again.

[Slow_Poke]

i think the best way to make sure is to check out the plane, logbook ect ect. and to see the plane - you can see wether a plane has been looked after or not - i think. let the owner start it and even take you for a flip if possible and trust your gut feelings - good / bad.

[Morph]

Spend a lot of time with the logbook. If it is not updated, i.e. no services logged, AP checks done, then neither was the plane. Don't buy it

I agree with the sentiment of getting the old owner to flyin circuits and then a bit of cross country with you. I ended up flyin 10 hours with the prev owner on my last plane. You start picking up the little niggly problems like starter motors and battery issues while you still have contact with the owner.

[Flying Croc]

Hi Guys,
This all sounds like good ideas. Please keep it coming.

Cheers

[Dreamer]

If you are like me when I bought, I knew the twirly thing was a prop and the big flat thing a wing and that was about it. Take someone with you that knows what he is looking at. Have a good AP check it out.