Buying airplane without seeing it??

[Kurt Flunkn]

Worst idea ever....

Pre-buy inspections are not worth anything, get an annual inspection by *your* IA instead. One local shop does pre-buy inspections using their repair station employees that do not even have an A&P license, their report wasn't signed, and wasn't even on letterhead. They also cited "industry standards" only known to their shop.... Again pre-buy inspections are worthless.

AOPA has a title and escrow service to help with the transfer of title and funds. This is a good service, otherwise you can do the paperwork yourself and be sure to use certified funds like a cashiers check.

If the owner ferries the airplane after the sale, then he isn't the owner anymore. Who's insurance will cover that flight?