Pre-purchase inspections are a normal part of selling an aircraft. But they don’t have to turn into a stressful mess if you set a few simple rules and stay organised.
Here’s how to keep things calm and under control.
Ask for a Deposit (Especially on Bigger Sales)
For higher-value aircraft, ask for a refundable deposit before the buyer brings their mechanic or team for a full inspection. This is the easiest way to separate serious buyers from time wasters.
Serious buyers won’t mind — it actually shows they’re committed. Ask for the deposit after they’ve already looked at your photos, runouts and information. That way you know they’re not just kicking tyres.
For cheaper aircraft (under $100K), you can sometimes skip the deposit. For anything bigger, it’s worth doing.
Be Ready to Return the Deposit and Move On
Sometimes a buyer will pay the deposit but then drag their feet or use the inspection period to tie up your aircraft while they sort out other deals.
Don’t let it happen. If they’re not moving forward in good faith, return the deposit and keep talking to other interested buyers. One slow buyer shouldn’t hold up your sale.
Have Your Paperwork and Aircraft Ready
Before any inspection, make sure:
- Logbooks are up to date and easy to find
- The aircraft is clean and presentable
- All the information the buyer asked for is organised
This makes the whole process quicker and shows you’re serious. It also reduces the chance of last-minute surprises that create stress.
Stay Calm with Bank Evaluators
If the buyer is getting finance, a bank evaluator will probably come and look over everything.
Stay patient and let them do their job. You’ve already done the hard work getting the aircraft and paperwork ready. Hovering or arguing won’t help — it usually just makes things more tense. Save your energy for talking directly with the buyer.
Be Fair if You Have More Than One Interested Buyer
If another buyer comes along with a deposit while the first one is still inspecting, let the first buyer know what’s happening. Give them a chance to step up if they really want the aircraft.
But don’t play one buyer against the other on price. That can backfire, damage trust, and cause both deals to fall through. Keep it fair and transparent.
Think of It Like Selling a Used Car or House
The process is similar to any big sale. Set clear boundaries, protect yourself with a simple contract, and don’t let things drag on forever. Most serious buyers actually prefer a seller who has clear rules and sticks to them.
Bottom line:
Pre-purchase inspections only get stressful when there are no clear rules or when one buyer is allowed to drag things out.
Ask for a deposit on bigger sales, keep your paperwork ready, stay fair with other buyers, and be willing to walk away from anyone who isn’t serious. Do that and the whole process becomes much calmer — for you and for genuine buyers.