Buying a used RV aircraft

[aaronbor]

Hello friends,

I am new to this forum. This is an incredible source of information advice and encouragement.

I had a dream of building and RV8 for decades. But I swept that idea under the carpet with life and responsibilities.

This past July I attended EAA AirVenture for the first time and now my dream has been reignited.
Unfortunately, right now I don’t have the space or the time available to take on the RV8 building project. (I know more excuses) In 6 years, after retirement, I will be able to do it, and I will do it.

Even thou I can't build right now, there is nothing the precludes me from buying a flying RV8. I think that would be a great way to get experience with the aircraft.

I would appreciate guidance in:

• How to go about finding a good used aircraft
• What to look for
• What to avoid
• How to know what fair prices and values are
• How the buying process works
• Pre buy Inspections
• Where to get transition flight training

I have been reading some of the archived post and there is a wealth of information here.

I wound appreciate any advice and experience anyone want to share.

Thank you

Aaron

 

[RV8JD]

Some info from Van’s, in case you haven’t seen these yet:

Which RV is Right for Me? - Van's Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit Planes

Van’s “Total Performance” concept means that all RVs do many, many things quite well. And while they’re all fun to fly and perform quite well, each model has its own uniquely-appealing set of mission capabilities. This may pose a bit of a dilemma when a new builder is trying to decide, “Which RV...

www.vansaircraft.com

​

Buying a Flying RV - Van's Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit Planes

SO, YOU’RE CONSIDERING BUYING A FLYING RV…. With increasing frequency, prospective buyers of flying RVs are calling Van’s Aircraft, Inc. for advice about finished RV aircraft they would like to buy. This puts us in a difficult position. Our business is airframe kits, and the airframe is only...

www.vansaircraft.com

​

RV Flight Training - Van's Aircraft Total Performance RV Kit Planes

Consider this: Before you hop in your new RV and slip the surly bonds, ask yourself, “Am I really ready?” When your new airplane is ready to fly, it’s time to sit in some quiet spot, put your ego on the shelf and be brutally honest with yourself. You may have spent years in the […] Read More

www.vansaircraft.com

And Vic Syracuse’s book with info on pre-buy inspections:

Pre-buy Guide For Amateur-built Aircraft by Vic Syracuse

If you are thinking about purchasing an amateur-built aircraft, this is the guide you need. It can be used by you, or given to your inspector. Vic Syracuse's Pre-buy Guide For Amateur-Built Aircraft contains over 200 pictures illustrating common problem areas, along with a checklist for both the...

shop.eaa.org

​

Good luck in your search!

 

[aaronbor]

Thank you Carl for the above refences,
I did buy Vic Syracuse Pre buy Guide.

 

[Mike S]

Hello friends,

I am new to this forum. This is an incredible source of information advice and encouragement.



Aaron

Aaron, welcome aboard the good ship VAF

 

[MacCool]

Four years ago, i started that exact same search for an RV 6/7/9 by posting a “ want to buy” post in the classified section here on VAF. It was a different market then, but I got several responses and less than 6 weeks later picked up the airplane I was hoping for. I don’t know how you’d swing it but I was fortunate enough to hook up with an RV “guru” who carefully helped me understand what I was looking for, separate wheat from chaff, then steered me through the “pre- pre-buy” process, finally helped me ferry the airplane home then did my transition training. He was the father of one of my partners (but my age) and it was my financial advisors that put us together. He was an invaluable guide and remains a great friend and resource. We were both on the very threshold of retiring but I had ZERO interest in building. That whole process for me remains my most rewarding aviation experience in over 50 years as a pilot.