Pilatus Pre-Buy Inspections
The Do’s, Don’ts, and Duh’s
What every Pilatus buyer should understand before going into the all-encompassing topic of pre-Buy inspections.
From a 45,000-foot perspective, the multimillion-dollar question exists: How far should you go when inspecting a multimillion-dollar aircraft before purchasing it?
A detailed logbook review? Of course.
An engine borescope? Always.
A Pre-Buy Inspection? Well, that depends.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to pre-purchase diligence on a Pilatus PC-12. The most extensive route is to place the aircraft in a full annual, addressing all Chapter 4 & 5 items, and evaluating maintenance items due within the next 12 months/ 300 hours. But the most extensive doesn’t always mean the most appropriate. Timing, recent inspections, and the aircraft’s maintenance history should all factor into the decision.
The Difference Between an Annual and Pre-Buy
A pre-purchase inspection is generally an evaluation of an aircraft’s condition defined by the buyer in a purchase agreement. It might include an engine borescope, examination of specific airframe areas, operational checks, and a review of the aircraft’s maintenance record. Think of it as a “light annual inspection,” if you will.
On the other hand, an annual inspection is a formal maintenance event performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s prescribed inspection requirements. At a Pilatus Authorized Service Center, this typically involves Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 items.
“You’d be hard-pressed to get a large Pilatus Service Center to sign off a ‘cursory Pre-buy’ inspection alone. They’re going to want to perform a formal inspection and not just look under the hood and sign their name,” explains JetSwiss Founder, Don “Bub” Peterson.
At JetSwiss, we advocate taking diligence to the highest level possible. The majority of our projects involve a formal, comprehensive inspection supported by our Aircraft Condition Evaluation (ACE), Maintenance Analysis Examination (MAX), and our 127-point check.
So then does every pre-buy need to become a full annual?
What If the Aircraft Just Had Its Annual?
Let’s say you’re considering a Pilatus that completed an annual inspection just 60 days ago. And since then, it’s flown fewer than 10 hours and made only 5 landings.
An expert may determine an annual inspection isn’t warranted given the timing (perhaps end of the year), who performed the work, and a careful audit of this work.
The point isn’t to inspect something simply for the sake of it. It’s to understand what’s already been done, what questions remain, and where additional diligence is warranted.
Don’t Forget to Look Ahead
So far, we’ve talked about evaluating an aircraft’s history and its current condition. But there’s another piece of the puzzle that we believe deserves just as much attention.
What’s coming next?
An aircraft can pass an inspection today and still have significant maintenance expenses waiting just around the corner. A propeller overhaul, pitch trim actuator replacement, a wing pull, or another major scheduled maintenance event could represent a substantial financial commitment shortly after closing.
“I bought an airplane last year and had a pre-buy done at a satellite Pilatus Service Center. Six months later, I was required to do a big maintenance item. Then at the next annual, I had another surprise hit me! It was almost another $100k worth of maintenance. How come this wasn’t addressed or talked about at the pre-buy?” Asked one of our recent clients.
Should certain maintenance items be addressed before closing? Should they be deferred to the next scheduled inspection? And how should those expenses factor into the purchase price and negotiations?
These are conversations worth having before the aircraft changes hands and you sign a purchase agreement.
At JetSwiss, our diligence doesn’t stop at what’s due today. We evaluate every page of every logbook, cross-reference it with a maintenance status sheet, and then we produce a Maintenance Analysis Examination (MAX). The MAX projects maintenance requirements and expenses for up to three years into the future.
It arms our clients with the information they need to make intelligent decisions today, knowing what lies ahead.
Doing the Proper Diligence: The Do’s, Don’ts and Duh’s
The reality is, no single inspection approach makes sense for every pre-owned Pilatus. But after years of buying, selling, flying, and evaluating these aircraft, we’ve developed a few guiding principles.
DO your homework early
Get to know the aircraft you’re buying to the best of your ability (logbooks, records, maintenance status, physical condition, etc.)
DON’T assume a clean inspection means you’re in the clear
What’s due in 300 hours can be just as important as what’s discovered today.
DO remember that the devil is in the details
A missed maintenance requirement or overlooked discrepancy can turn into a very expensive lesson.
DON’T forget: Pay now or pay for it later
Spending time and money on proper diligence today may save you considerably more down the runway.
And the DUH? DBADA. That’s Bub’s not-so-technical acronym for “Don’t Be a Dumb A**.”
Surround yourself with the best aviation attorney, accountant, and aircraft experts you can find. The right people in your corner are worth their weight in gold.
Thanks for listening to our TED Talk.
Fly safe, the JetSwiss Team.