Buyer Guide
Prebuy Inspection vs. Annual Inspection
What is the difference between a prebuy inspection and an annual inspection?
Both inspections involve an A&P mechanic examining an aircraft, but they serve different purposes, have different legal standing, and are used at different points in the buying process.
What an annual inspection is
An annual inspection is a federally required airworthiness review, performed once every 12 calendar months, by an A&P mechanic with an Inspection Authorization (IA). It follows a defined checklist and, when passed, keeps the aircraft legally airworthy under Part 91. The mechanic signs the logbook to confirm the aircraft meets FAA airworthiness standards.
What a prebuy inspection is
A prebuy inspection is a buyer-requested, independent mechanical review performed before purchase. There is no FAA standard format — the depth and scope are negotiated between buyer and mechanic. A good prebuy typically includes a logbook review, a physical inspection of the airframe and engine, a compression test, and a check for airworthiness directives (ADs). The mechanic gives the buyer an honest read on condition and any deferred maintenance — not a legal airworthiness determination.
Key differences
The annual is legally required to fly the aircraft. The prebuy is buyer-initiated and not required by law, but strongly recommended before purchasing. The annual confirms the aircraft is airworthy at a point in time. The prebuy surfaces condition issues, logbook gaps, or deferred maintenance that could affect your buying decision or price negotiation. They are complementary, not interchangeable.
Timing in a purchase
Typically, you research and screen aircraft first, then request a prebuy on your top candidate before making a final offer. The annual inspection status is part of your initial screen — an aircraft with a fresh annual is typically easier to close on. If the annual is expired, factor in the inspection cost. Either way, a prebuy by your mechanic, not the seller's, is the standard buyer protection.
Common mistakes
- –Using the seller's mechanic for the prebuy — a conflict of interest that can soften the findings.
- –Skipping the prebuy to save a few hundred dollars on a six-figure purchase.
- –Treating a fresh annual as a substitute for a prebuy — the annual confirms airworthiness but is not designed to protect a buyer's interests the way a prebuy is.
- –Negotiating a price before the prebuy — the prebuy findings often change the conversation.
Where TailExchange fits
TailExchange listings include seller-reported annual inspection dates and maintenance notes. Use these to screen candidates and identify aircraft that are likely in good shape before you invest in a prebuy inspection. Once you have a serious candidate, the prebuy step happens outside TailExchange with your chosen mechanic.
Related
Airframe Time
Total hours the aircraft structure has been in flight since manufacture or major rebuild.
Engine Time
Hours an aircraft engine has accumulated since new manufacture or its most recent overhaul.
Prebuy Inspection
An independent mechanical inspection performed by an A&P mechanic before an aircraft purchase.
Annual Inspection
An FAA-required annual airworthiness inspection that must be completed for an aircraft to remain legally airworthy.
What to Check on an Aircraft Detail Page Before Requesting Seller Interest
What information on a TailExchange aircraft page should I review before reaching out to a seller?
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