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What To Expect During a Pre-Purchase Inspection

PPIs can entail many different services based on the state of the craft and the customer’s concerns

Having a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) completed for an airframe you’re purchasing is the best way to protect your investment. You don’t want to be saddled with thousands (or even millions!) of dollars in surprise repairs the moment you take ownership.

But not every airframe needs the same level of inspection. A PPI is uniquely tailored to each craft, and no two are exactly alike.

At Global MX, we have completed hundreds of PPIs for airframe buyers over the years.

What Happens During a PPI?

Every pre-purchase inspection begins with a conversation. No matter what kind of airframe or the buyer’s plans for it, the process begins by setting expectations.

We start by asking a lot of questions. Does the buyer have any specific concerns about the craft? Are any important components reaching the end of their maintenance cycle? Has the airframe been grounded for an extended period? Are there any upgrades that should be performed while the craft is being inspected?

We start every PPI by getting a full understanding of the state of the craft and the buyer’s expectations for the outcome. We discuss specific steps that would make the craft airworthy if it isn’t currently. We then lay out the initial scope of work to be performed.

After this initial meeting, we provide the buyer with a flat rate based on the work that’s agreed upon. If we detect any further problems during the inspection, we will provide a quote for the time and materials to fix them.

Different Levels of PPI

PPIs are different for every craft, but they all contain some of the same basic steps. If the aircraft is currently flying, then a PPI is usually quick and easy. A basic PPI would assess the most critical components — the engines, brakes, etc. — and a full review of the craft’s documentation. We review how far out any components will need to be replaced or overhauled. This can give the buyer leverage during the sale.

If the airframe has been in long-term storage, then a PPI becomes more involved. Crafts that sit idle have a habit of being used for parts, so we’d construct a budget for how much it would take to find and install any missing components.

We’d then dive deeper into why the craft doesn’t have a certificate. Is it just a documentation issue or is there something wrong with the airframe? We’d conduct a detailed review of the logs to see if the craft has received routine maintenance despite being grounded.

There are also premium services we can perform during PPIs that would only apply to certain crafts. With jets, for example, we highly recommend an engine borescope inspection. It’s a non-invasive way to assess the hard-to-reach areas of the engines, by inserting a camera on a cable with an LED light.

We’d look for cracks, corrosion, or evidence of other damage to the most important equipment on an airframe. Most jet engines require inspection every 1,000 flight hours. If you were to purchase an aircraft right before the next review was due, a borescope inspection is important due diligence.

What does a PPI cost?

Because every PPI is different, the costs vary widely. The process and the costs depend wholly on what the buyer wants inspected and what the documentation review suggests about the state of the craft.

If it were a Cessna 172 Skyhawk that flies regularly, has been diligently maintained, and has all its logbooks and documentation in order, the PPI might cost less than $1,000. If the craft were a Gulfstream V that has been grounded for years with an unclear return-to-service strategy, the PPI might cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Global MX is extremely diverse in our capabilities and can give every craft the care and attention it deserves during this critical process.