First time aircraft purchase.

[Jessewukie]

I am looking at purchasing my first aircraft. I am a 121 pilot with about 9000 hrs total time. That said, it has been years since I have been in a light single. I am currently considering an inexpensive Kitfox 1. Plane has about 190 hrs total time with a Rotax 532 in it. Current owner does not have complete logs but does have logs since 2007 when he purchased the plane. I am planning on taking an A&P friend of mine to look at it.

A few questions,

What paperwork will I need for an experimental aircraft (airworthiness, bill of sale, logs ect)

My friend does not have a lot of recent experience with experimentals, is there anything specific that we should be looking for? Corrosion, covering condition, spars, ect. Anything specific with the Rotax 532?

Any other suggestions for a prospective first time buyer.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

[Bill Berson]

Should always do a title search. (unless it is cheap enough you just want to part it out)
The Title search provides the (or all) current legal owner(s) (all must sign) and any liens. Once I bought a plane with a lien and I didn't do the search. Took a few months to clear up.
The 532 is outdated but should run fine if you can work with and maintain the points ignition.
Old engines usually need new seals or there is a risk it might run lean if the seals leak.
Logs are only required to be saved for one year (with exceptions, see FAR 91).
The little wood sticks that hold the flaperons sometimes break in the wind if tied outside. Might be some upgrades on that.

[Jessewukie]

Should always do a title search. (unless it is cheap enough you just want to part it out)
The Title search provides the (or all) current legal owner(s) (all must sign) and any liens. Once I bought a plane with a lien and I didn't do the search. Took a few months to clear up.
The 532 is outdated but should run fine if you can work with and maintain the points ignition.
Old engines usually need new seals or there is a risk it might run lean if the seals leak.

Thanks Bill, pardon my ignorance, but where is the best place to do a title search. I’m trying to look on the FAA site, but it seems to be down. Yes it is quite cheap, but I do plan on flying it for a while until the wife and I outgrow it.

[Bill Berson]

I don't know any now. They used to advertise in Trade-A-Plane. They must be in Oklahoma City to do the search at the FAA Registration center.

[dougbush]

AOPA might have guidance or a service to handle the transfer. I'd get an expert in the type to inspect it either pre-buy or pre-flying it myself.

[Auburntsts]

Don’t know if you have to be an AOPA member to access this but AOPA has a lot of info on buying an airplane:

https://www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/buying-an-aircraft (https://www.aopa.org/go-fly/aircraft-and-ownership/buying-an-aircraft)

[Dana]

From the buyer you need to get a bill of sale (FAA form 8050-2) signed (get two copies) by the last registered owner, the Airworthiness certificate including operating limitations, and the logbooks. You send the bill of sale to the FAA along with a new registration application (8050-7). A copy of the registration application makes it legal to fly until the FAA mails the actual registration back.

I've never done a title search and never had a problem, but the kinds of airplanes I've bought don't lend themselves to financing, and the Kitfox is probably in the same category.

I'm not intimately familiar with the Kitfox, but it's much like any other tube and fabric plane with the same kinds of issues.

The 532 is a good engine but it is rather different from typical GA 4-stroke engines. As BB said ignition and seals are the biggies. If it's currently flying (running) and the EGT is good it's probably OK. They're fairly simple to maintain or overhaul.

[Tralika]

If you do a Google search for "Buying a used homebuilt" you will get multiple links to magazine articles, forum posts, ect. Lots of information there, you will have to decide what is useful and what is not. In any case it should give you some ideas and bring up issues you hadn't thought about. You might also get in touch with a tech counselor at your local EAA chapter and see if anyone there has specific knowledge on the Kitfox or engine your looking at. The Teamkitfox.com forum would also be a good resource. Good luck.

[Jessewukie]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the info.

[CarlOrton]

Does the aircraft have a current registration? If it's outside of the "drop dead" date on the FAA registry, you have to start all over again. If still a valid registration, no prob, just transfer.

One thing for homebuilts: You will need to ensure that seller has, and that you receive, the set of operating limitations issued by the FAA or DAR at the time the AW cert was granted. Initially used for Phase 1 testing, but they're still applicable for Phase II (anything after phase 1).

[Jessewukie]

Does the aircraft have a current registration? If it's outside of the "drop dead" date on the FAA registry, you have to start all over again. If still a valid registration, no prob, just transfer.

One thing for homebuilts: You will need to ensure that seller has, and that you receive, the set of operating limitations issued by the FAA or DAR at the time the AW cert was granted. Initially used for Phase 1 testing, but they're still applicable for Phase II (anything after phase 1).

The aircraft does have a current registration, not sure about the operating limitations.

After talking to a few other buddies, I think they may have talked me into going a little different route and looking into a Champ or a Taylorcraft. Still up in the air at this point.

Thanks again for all the input guys.

[Sam Buchanan]

I am looking at purchasing my first aircraft. I am a 121 pilot with about 9000 hrs total time. That said, it has been years since I have been in a light single. I am currently considering an inexpensive Kitfox 1. Plane has about 190 hrs total time with a Rotax 532 in it. Current owner does not have complete logs but does have logs since 2007 when he purchased the plane. I am planning on taking an A&P friend of mine to look at it.

A few questions,

What paperwork will I need for an experimental aircraft (airworthiness, bill of sale, logs ect)

My friend does not have a lot of recent experience with experimentals, is there anything specific that we should be looking for? Corrosion, covering condition, spars, ect. Anything specific with the Rotax 532?

Any other suggestions for a prospective first time buyer.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Make sure you know what kind of aircraft you want. The Kitfox with 532 is basically a two-place ultralight, it will be far lighter than anything you have flown unless you have ultralight time. While it will handle turbulence you will very quickly find that flying the Kitfox in bumpy air is far more work than fun. You will think you are flying a feather. :)

About the only resemblance the 582 has to a "conventional" aircraft engine is that it has pistons and turns a prop. Your friend will be of no help unless he has two-stroke motorcycle or snowmobile experience. The 532 was replaced by the 582 nearly 30 years ago so is an old engine. Old two-strokes usually have bad crank seals which means a total rebuild.

Having said all that, I'm not trying to discourage you from buying an aircraft, but don't let a low purchase price camouflage what you are considering buying. You will most likely be much better off with a heavier aircraft unless all you are wanting is something in which to chance sunsets. I have several hundred hours is very light aircraft including Rotax engines and realize their limitations.

Best wishes for a successful search regardless of what you decide to fly!

[Bill Greenwood]

Do a test flight, that is a very low and slow light airplane, may be a good one but not a fit with you.
Look at every inch of it , don't just take someones word for condition.

[gmoore]

Another good source for aircraft data

https://www.aerospacereports.com/

for $35 you can get a report in a couple hours...

[Jessewukie]

Another good source for aircraft data

https://www.aerospacereports.com/

for $35 you can get a report in a couple hours...

Awesome thanks!

[A35plt]

Titles searches: Dixie Aire aircraft Title Search. Terrific Folks i have used for years.

Dixie Aire Title Service, Inc.
P.O. Box 860

Wheatland, OK 73097

405.745.9700

or

800.366.3027

Fax: 405.745.9703

Courier Address: 7217 S. Council Rd., Ste. B

Oklahoma City, OK 73169