(209)651-0632

(209)651-0632

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  • More
    • Home
    • Services
    • Ferry & Transport
    • Pre-Purchase
    • Flight Training
    • FOR SALE
    • Videos & Manuals
    • About Us
    • Store
    • Log Book Storage
    • Buyer / Seller Agent
    • N89567
  • Home
  • Services
  • Ferry & Transport
  • Pre-Purchase
  • Flight Training
  • FOR SALE
  • Videos & Manuals
  • About Us
  • Store
  • Log Book Storage
  • Buyer / Seller Agent
  • N89567
Jakes AIr Repair Aircraft Services, Maintenance & COnsulting

Fix, Fly & Maintain. Treat your plane to the best.

Fix, Fly & Maintain. Treat your plane to the best.Fix, Fly & Maintain. Treat your plane to the best.

The "Pre-Buy" Inspection: What it is, what it entails & cost

Pre-Purchase Inspection

I should start by saying that "inspection" is not the right word. The FAA defines what inspection is and a pre-purchase inspection does not meet that criteria. An evaluation is more encompassing of what should be done prior to buying or even selling an airplane. I like to say the best money spent, is on money that saved you from NOT buying a particular airplane. Since a pre-purchase evaluation is not spelled out in any official manner, it is up the the seller, buyer and evaluator (mechanic) to determine what will and won't be done. Anything short of a full annual or conditional inspection does leave the possibility to miss issues with the aircraft. It is strongly recommended and advised to perform a full inspection by a party no associated with the aircraft in the past. Such as the maintenance shop that previously maintained the aircraft, or anyone affiliated with the seller. 


Sometimes that just isn't possible for a number of reasons. A lot can be learned about the aircraft by a review of it's complete records alone. Not just "log books". 


Most evaluations we perform take place in a single day and with the potential buyers direct involvement. Having the aircraft brought to our facilities or traveling to visit the aircraft and evaluating its condition can help a potential buyer opt out of a purchase due to any issues the seller did not disclose or not know about. Jake's Air Repair travels to any number of airports in order to perform a pre-buy /  pre purchase inspection. Some nearby Northern California locations can be reached quickly by air or driving. We also travel further and frequently travel great distances. Were willing to go the extra miles for our customers! Literally!


Call and lets discuss the airplane you are considering buying. There is a lot to know, and we love to share what info we can to help you make an informed decision.


Quick Opinion. $100 This is hardly a hands on inspection, but for $100 you send me as many pictures and log book scans or pictures you have and based on what is provided,  we will write up a list of any discrepancies noted that could potently be an issue or a concern. We can talk on the phone about it or we can write you a report. This is often the first step in seeing if proceeding with travel to a destination for further "in person"  evaluation.


Lunch Time Special $450 - This inspection has you bring us the airplane to our hangar where we will send you  off to lunch with a car to enjoy the imitate area, or you're encouraged to stay and look at the airplane with us! We will remove cowlings and various panels, and look over the aircraft for general condition. Compression checks, oil sample, and a brief audit of log books will provide a generalized sense of what the aircraft issues may be, and what the aircraft may need. (Approx. 4 hours)


Hourly Inspection.  $110/HR Most of our evaluations are done this way. We spend a few hours looking the airplane over and making a general determination about the airplane, what it may need, and how much those repairs might cost. We will write up a report outlining all the discrepancies noted, including minor ones and an estimate for repairing each item. This will aid you in your negotiations with a seller.


The Annual Inspection. $110/HR This is often referred to as the best pre-buy, and while I absolutely agree that the most through inspection that can be performed is an annual inspection, it is often difficult to incorporate the two into one event. An annual inspection as a pre buy assure the most thorough inspection / evaluation is completed. The issue lies in the fact that at EVERY annual, there are items that need repair. If discrepancies are found that kills the interest of the buyer, the seller is now left with the burden of spending money out f his pocket to correct those issues. Sellers don't often want to spend that money as finances may be the reason for selling the aircraft. This puts the maintenance shop or mechanic in a precarious position. It is not impossible and can be done, but with through planning and thorough understanding and agreements between the seller, buyer and mechanic inspector/evaluator. If this is what you would like done, we can still make it happen call us and we will be glad to talk through any concerns you might have.


"The best money spent is on a pre-buy that keeps you from buying a lemon!" -Confucius; probably

These Discrepancies were found on Pre-Purchase Inspections

Cracked Engine Case

Cracked Engine Case

Cracked Engine Case

This case was cracked. It was likely caused by over torquing of the alternator bracket. It was impossible to see because of the oil leak surrounding it!

Cracked Fuel Tank

Cracked Engine Case

Cracked Engine Case

This fuel leak had existed on this airplane for years because the owner and mechanic thought it was a non issue. Turns out the fuel tank was cracked and the leak had caused corrosion on the spar!

Cracked Fuselage

Cracked Engine Case

Worn Out Fastener

This crack would have been seen in most inspections. We don't want to find the cracks after you buy the airplane! Its not a guarantee that issues wont be found on any inspection or evaluation, however we hope to find them and that's why you have a pre-buy completed!

Worn Out Fastener

Worn Out Fastener

Worn Out Fastener

This bolt was not of the correct type or part and was moments from failing.

Improper Repair

Worn Out Fastener

Imminent failure!

Was this repair done correctly? Turns out It wasn't, but we were able to get engineering data to determine this repair although incorrect, was sufficient enough and did not need to be re-done.

Imminent failure!

Worn Out Fastener

Imminent failure!

This cowling latch had been digging into the rocker box cover! It has been covered over with tape by the owner to "Prevent chafing" and hide it from the buyer and mechanic.

Photo Gallery Some pictures of items discovered on Pre-Buy Inspections

    Aircraft Pre-Buy Inspection, Aircraft Pre-Buy Inspections

    Airplane Pre-Buy Inspection, Airplane Pre-Buy Inspection

    Aircraft Pre Buy Inspection, Aircraft Pre Buy Inspections

    Airplane Pre Buy Inspection, Airplane Pre Buy Inspection

    Aircraft Pre-Purchase Inspection, Aircraft Pre-Purchase Inspections

    Airplane Pre-Purchase Inspection, Airplane Pre-Purchase Inspection

    Aircraft Pre Purchase Inspection, Aircraft Pre Purchase Inspections

    Airplane Pre Purchase Inspection, Airplane Pre Purchase Inspection

    Northern California

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    Central Valley

    Amador County Airport Jackson, CA KJAQ JAQ
    Auburn Municipal Airport Auburn, CA KAUN AUN
    Byron Airport Byron, CA C83
    Calaveras County Airport San Andreas, CA KCPU CPU
    Castle Airport Castle AFB Atwater, CA KMER MER
    Columbia Airport Columbia , CA / Sonora, CA O22
    Concord Buchannan Field Concord, CA KCCR CCR
    Gnoss Field Airport Novato, CA KDVO DVO
    Half Moon Bay Airport Half Moon Bay, CA KHAF HAF
    Hayward Air Terminal Hayward Executive Airport Hayward, CA KHWD HWD
    Lincoln Regional Karl Harder Field Lincoln, CA KLHM LHM
    Livermore Municipal Airport Livermore, CA  KVLK LVK
    Lodi Airport Lodi, CA 1O3
    Mariposa-Yosemite Airport KMPI Mariposa, CA
    Mc Clellan Airfield Airport KMCC Sacramento, CA
    Metropolitan Oakland International Airport Oakland, CA KOAK OAK
    Modesto City County Airport Harry Sham Field Airport Modesto, CA KMOD MOD
    Napa County Airport Napa, CA KAPC APC
    Nut Tree Airport Vacaville CA KVB VCB
    Oakdale Airport  Oakdale, CA O27
    Palo Alto Airport Palo Alto, CA KPAO PAO
    Pine Mountain Lake Airport  Groveland, CA E45
    Placerville Airport  Placerville, CA KPVF PVF
    Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County San Jose, CA KRHV RHV
    Rio Vista Airport Rio Vista, CA O88
    Sacramento Executive Airport KSAC SAC Sacramento, CA
    Sacramento Mather Airport Rancho Cordova, CA KMHR MHR
    San Carlos Airport San Carlos, CA KSQL SQL
    Stockton Metropolitan Airport Stockton, CA KSCK SCK
    Tracy Municipal Airport Tracy, CA KTCY TCY
    University Airport Davis, CA KEDU EDU
    Visalia Municipal Airport  Visalia, CA KVIS VIS
    Watts-Woodland Airport  Watts-Woodland Airport Woodland, CA O41
    Westover Field Amador County Airport  Jackson, CA KAJQ JAQ
    Yolo County Airport Woodland, CA KDWA DWA
    Yuba County Airport  Marysville, CA  KMYV MYV 


    and Beyond!


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