What did you/should I look for when purchasing an RV?

[Awd2gen]

I've been doing a lot of research as of late on purchasing an RV-4 or RV-6 soon. Typically my searches will take me here (this forum), barnstormers, trade a plane and controller. I typically look at what engine, hours, what's on the panel and does it flow well, prop, etc. But I can't help be fear I'm missing something else I should be looking for, for a good quality plane. I've read a lot about pre buy inspections and plan on doing one on anything I intend to purchase but I know you can't catch everything. Soo my question to you all is when I show up to look at a plane that I think is "the one" what questions should I be asking and what should I be looking for to not get fooled by a "pretty panel" or nice paint job??

Thanks for all the help in advance!

[RV6_flyer]

Are all of Van's Service Bulletins that apply to the model complied with?
How much work and money would be required to comply with all of Van's Service Bulletins?

Are there any ADs against the engine or prop?
Are the ADs for the engine, prop, magneto, radio(s) complied with?
How much work / money would it take to comply with the ADs?

Systems are the weak link on most Experimental Amateur Built aircraft. Systems as in wiring, plumbing, and stuff the builder had to figure out how to do on their own.

Van's Service Bulletins can be check on Van's website here.

ADs can be checked on the FAA website here.

[grubbat]

Typically the tail will be the first area you inspect after all the paperwork mentioned in earlier post. The tail is the first part of the build and usually where a lot of quality is lacking if there is any. A prebuy inspection from an experienced RV person is what I would recommend because of all the stories I've heard over the years on the quality of builds. You may get lucky and get a good build without a prebuy, and you may get a lemon. The designer of these planes did a great job designing in good margins when boo boos are made but buyer beware is in order.

[Awd2gen]

Thanks guys. That's some of the stuff I'm looking for. The service bullitens and AD's is something that completely slipped my mind. Also I should be able to get those verified in a good pre buy, correct?

The quality of work is definitely something that's important and thanks for pointing out the tail is a good place to start. I'll have to remember that. Stuff like wiring and fuel lines is one of my biggest concerns. I've seen pictures of some that the wiring looks beautiful and others that look like a rats nest that scare me but wasn't sure if it was unjustified fear.

[Carl Froehlich]

See if you have an RV builder near you to go over his plane - and what he thinks is important. Then have the builder with you, if possible, when looking to buy.

Carl

[BruceMe]

First and foremost an RV is a Lycoming powered airplane like so many others, AOPA and others have a ton of great reading out there on purchasing an aircraft.

As for RVs specifically... as amateur-built implies there are a few extras to watch for.

#1 - Is it overall well built. Build quality varies widely; although almost all are perfectly acceptable all around. Sadly that means there is a small set that are not. You should find a place where there are many RVs (fly-in or local RV-heavy airport) and ask someone to show you a "well built" RV and compare it to a "less well built" There are subtle things like rivet spacing, straight rivet lines, straight sheet lines, correctly bonded sheets, smoking rivets (incorrectly driven).

#2 - Don't be too picky. No aircraft, brand-new to 100-yo is "perfect". They all have blemishes, rash, systems that are in various versions of "working". The critical thing to realize is that most everything on an aircraft is designed to fail slowly over a long time. Catastrophic failure modes make overly-interesting flying experiences. Expect things to be in various states of working, negotiate.

#3 - Service Bulletin / AD compliance; These are all safety issue and go to your life flying, ensure all SBs are either known-not-know (negotiate fixing them into the price) or are known-resolved/ongoing. For example, all RVs with wing tanks share the same SB for securing the internal fuel fittings. This is a PITA to fix as you have to take the tank off, unseal the inspection plate, wire tie/secure all the internal fittings then seal it all back again. It takes a full weekend to do, and it's messy. On older RVs it is rarely done. I forgot to do this one on my RV-4. You guessed it, it came off and caused several loss of engine power events and a lot of head scratching before I found and complied. If you're looking at the RV-3; it has three critical structural SBs, be extra careful there, do your homework.

#4 - Landing gear concerns; RVs are under-built and do not meet Part 23 requirements for landing gear. Particularly on the tail-wheel aircraft (excluding the -8) the engine mount is the landing gear mount. This causes it to fatigue more quickly. Look for small cracks in the joints. They are not unusual and easily fixed, but again... takes a weekend and a good welder. If you find any cracks you should always fix them immediately.

#5 - Tail skins have been an issue over the years on various older models, make sure they are the newer thicker size if you can. If not, negotiate fixing it.

I hope this helps.

[acam37]

I've been looking for that "perfect" RV to buy for over a month now. I have written emails and spoken to several sellers in length about their planes. So far I haven't found "the one" that would warrant a plane ticket or long drive to see it in person. Like others have said, ask lots of questions and get as many pictures as you can. my main concern is the engine. Was it a new 0-time or a rebuild? Who did the work and does the plane have all the logs? Damage history? Cracked canopy? Almost everyone will tell you its a quality build but you can't determine that until you actually see it in person. Try to get some pictures of the rivet lines in different light settings to see if the were set correctly and not driven with a jack hammer. I've seen several that look like they went through a hail storm. To me the panel is not a deal breaker. Most older RV's have original guages, so try to keep that in mind. most panels are built to the builders liking and may not suit your taste. But aslong as you have a good airframe and engine, the interior can be changed out rather easily.

[Bubblehead]

Here are the biggest lessons I learned when I bought my RV-8 in 2007.

1. Not everyone does as good of job of building and documenting as the average person on this forum! When I took possession I got a set of plans, the builders manual, Vans' electrical system diagram, and engine logbook, an airframe logbook, FAA documents, and some miscellaneous manuals for the avionics. I should have asked at the prebuy for the rest of the documentation. The lack of documentation would have told me a lot about the builder.

2. The plane passed the pre-buy with minor squawks but I should have had someone that knew RVs do the pre-buy. Everything was safe but not everything was done well. For instance, the wiring was a rats nest.

I now have flown it about 700 hours, rebuilt the panel, replaced cylinders, rewired pretty much everything and have it like I like it. There was some real financial and emotional pain and suffering along the way though. It's been a love-hate relationship with "Tango Delta".

[Chkaharyer99]

Read this thread "Check Those Tails" and take a good look at the photos.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?t=140972

There's much to learn.

The good ones go fast so be ready. The mediocre ones seem to linger.

[Awd2gen]

Lots of useful info. I think I'm going to try and make a question template to send sellers with planes I'm really interested in, using some of this info.