Frequently Asked Questions
Ask us anything!!!
At Riggs Aviation, the customer is always first! Have a question you don’t see below? Leave us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
Do I need a pre-buy?
Buying an airplane isn’t the same as buying a car. To start, the airplane you may be looking at could easily be over 50 years old. There may be hidden damage or discrepancies on the aircraft. Without an inspection from a qualified and thorough mechanic, you’re purchase could end up being a mistake. Having an inspection completed will help identify the aircrafts ownership history, damage history, and airworthiness condition. It’s important to inspect the aircrafts paperwork just as much as inspecting the physical airframe. Not only is a pre-buy a good idea, but many insurance and financial lenders want to see that your aircraft has been inspected by a qualified mechanic.
What if there’s an aircraft I’m interested in but I’m not ready to hire a pre-buy?
Believe it or not, the actual pre-buy is just a small part of making sure the airplane your buying is right for you. Before committing to the full price of pre-buy, we can help you do some research. We always request a report on the aircraft just like pulling reports for cars. There’s a lot we can learn without the cost of traveling to the airplane. Following the online audit, if you still want to continue with the pre-buy we will schedule with the seller and complete the remaining portions of a fully comprehensive pre-buy.
What if I can’t go see the aircraft myself?
Thats ok! Its always preferable that the owner can see the airplane in person before purchasing but sometimes it’s not possible. We will complete the pre-buy as normal with a lot of pictures. Additionally, we can add to the pre-buy and offer a virtual inspection where we will create a walk around video or walk around with you using live video. Pictures still can’t show everything, but our detailed reports aim to supply you with all the information you want.
Do you offer inspections on experimental aircraft as well?
Short answer, yes! We are happy to help with inspecting an experimental aircraft. Buying a certified or experimental doesn’t change the inspection at all. We complete the same checklist and hold the experimental to the same standard as any certified aircraft. After-all, they both cost you money to buy. There are some models we will not inspect, but reach out to us and we can discuss if the model your interested in is doable.
How long does the pre-buy process usually take?
It all depends. some customers come to us having already completed a lot of the work. Others only know the airplanes location and price. Our comprehensive pre-buys consist of pulling online reports for an online audit, inspecting the logbooks, checking airworthiness directives and their completion and finally the inspection. Specializing in older aircraft, we understand that most owners don’t have digital logbooks available so most of the logbook audit will be completed at the aircraft during the inspection. If we are able, we inspect the logbooks before visiting the airplane. The whole process usually takes about 3-4 days from scheduling with us. The physical inspection usually takes a single day for single engine aircraft. More engines, more time.
Is Riggs Aviation a Broker?
Riggs Aviation currently is not considered an aircraft broker. We can help you list your aircraft or help you find the aircraft you’re looking for, all without the hassle of being stuck paying a large commission to a broker. We don’t manage the whole sale through the transaction, our goal is to simply help customers with aircraft sales and purchase.