It was not as bad when they had a dealership here supporting the big Miclec Dromider Ag plane.

xdillonx wrote:Driving out tonight to look/fly the airplane tomorrow. If all goes well I'll look to schedule an A&P for an inspection. I tried to find one through SavvyMX but they said the airplane is too rare and cannot help.

As my brother said, Anyone know of a OR/ID mechanic whom is not scared of a polish plane???

And, that's a significant problem with fairly rare airplanes. Further, if you do fly the thing (presumably and hopefully with someone who actually is qualified in a Wilga), are you actually going to be able to determine if it's "right"?

An airplane that is out of rig should be part of the mechanic's inspection process during a pre buy. With smart levels these days, it's pretty easy to figure out if something's out of rig. On Cessnas, the gear may need alignment, but frankly, unless you've got a fair amount of time in type, you probably won't be able to determine that from a brief test flight, assuming that is, that the accompanying pilot actually lets you land the thing.....and I sure as hell wouldn't allow that if I were the one doing the demo.

So, what precisely are you accomplishing with your "test flight", assuming you're not VERY familiar with the type? Simply a question, not a challenge. Make yourself happy.

If it makes you happy, insist on a test flight. But whatever you do, get a GOOD, THOROUGH checkout in that airplane from an instructor who knows the type well.....NOT just someone who claims to have flown airplane xxx, which is "just the same as that one", according to your instructor.

MTV

Pre -Purchase Inspection is like a Insurance Policy that what your about to buy is as represented , and no hidden damage.Fresh paint and lots of engine /prop work may be a tip off of what the seller doesn't want to talk about. I do pre buys all over the country primarily Cessna ,Piper and a few experimental. It's not rocket science and most GOOD A&P's can do it . Don,t take the sellers "-mechanic who has worked on it for past 15 years" and supposedly a expert on this machine -he may have a stake in the deal .If you have a local A&P that you've worked with before and TRUST -use him.He may work on anything from Helicopters to Jets or just a few rental airplanes. Airframe inspection is pretty much a no brainer -Engines being the most expensive part should be checked very close including a bore a scope of cylinders. Get a checklist and do it complete . For a Wilga I'd ask George Thomas who he uses > He's got a Wilga near Spokane,WASH. A airline ticket for you and A&P is cheap return on investment.

I'm curious about MTV's statement. If you don't fly in a plane, how do you even know if you like the type? For those of us who have never been in anything other than a Cessna, (other than a Robinson) I have no idea what other planes are like. Are they loud? Do they vibrate? Are they comfortable?

I'm hoping to buy a cherokee six in the next year or so, but I've never flown a piper, let alone a low wing. You had better believe I'm going to want to fly in one before I buy, regardless of what an A&P says.

Don't you guys test drive cars before you buy them, or do you just assume that it'll probably be put together right, do it should drive fine?

I suppose that most people on here must have probably gotten the opportunity to have flown in tons of different kinds of planes, so must know in advance what they want. I'm not sure how else to get experience with a rare plane other than asking for test fights.

hpux735 wrote:I suppose that most people on here must have probably gotten the opportunity to have flown in tons of different kinds of planes...

I wouldn't count on that... Mostly the exact opposite I think.

Well...the other side of that is...until you have a couple hundred hours in it...you don't even know how to fly it, how will you know what to like or not? A good prebuy, obvious value. Deciding whether to buy based on how it feels to fly an unfamiliar type? Sort of a fools errand. If the capability of the aircraft is what you like, you may as well get it and put in the hours to be able to fly to its abilities.

A test flight for the simple purpose of demonstrating that it is trustworthy and legal to fly, I can certainly see that. Just don't think it should be to decide whether you like the airplane type.

Over the years I have grown very wary of flying in planes I don't know the plane/owner/A&P that keeps it up.

Fly after the inspection by a mechanic familiar with the type that you trust, that's my 2 cents.

Having flown most 20th Century small certified airplanes, I found more similarity than differences. At least I was able to teach the same techniques in all without much confusion. However, I turned to steeply in an ultralight that had a rudder that just didn't work (designed and built that way) and nearly killed myself. Even old, very experienced farts, can screw up.

Troy Hamon wrote:..... Deciding whether to buy based on how it feels to fly an unfamiliar type? Sort of a fools errand. If the capability of the aircraft is what you like, you may as well get it and put in the hours to be able to fly to its abilities. .....

Buying an airplane based on it's capabilities without test-flying it seems to me like marrying a gal based on her online profile. Better to go on at least one date first.

Troy Hamon wrote:Well...the other side of that is...until you have a couple hundred hours in it...you don't even know how to fly it, how will you know what to like or not? A good prebuy, obvious value. Deciding whether to buy based on how it feels to fly an unfamiliar type? Sort of a fools errand. If the capability of the aircraft is what you like, you may as well get it and put in the hours to be able to fly to its abilities.

A test flight for the simple purpose of demonstrating that it is trustworthy and legal to fly, I can certainly see that. Just don't think it should be to decide whether you like the airplane type.

I agree. Are you seriously going to do a pre-buy and fly an airplane before you've even decided to focus on that aircraft type?? Really????? If I were selling an airplane and you pulled one of those on me, I wouldn't sell you the airplane even if you decided you loved it.

Those are two completely separate decisions. First, decide what type airplane you want. You do that by flying with someone who owns one. Some types may be available to rent at an FBO. Or, find a proud owner, and offer to buy some gas. If it's not what you like, move on to another type.

AFTER you decide what TYPE airplane you want to buy, then you do the pre-buy and, if it winds your watch, ask for a flight. Please do not expect that the owner of the airplane will actually allow you to FLY the airplane, let alone land it. I sure wouldn't.

I have a good friend who for years was a demo pilot in Cessna's Citation program. He did hundreds of demo flights. I asked him if the prospective client was allowed to fly the plane....."Never". Good reason for that.

But, FIRST decide what airplane you want. Separate issue, and very important to get right BEFORE you start shopping.

And, as Troy says, and I noted earlier in this thread, with no experience in the type, you aren't going to get much information from a brief test flight anyway.

MTV

Hey guys! I had quite the adventure this weekend!
I got off work Thursday afternoon and my fiance and I drove straight from Bend, OR to the Grand Tetons. Arrived at the airport where the Wilga was kept in Driggs, ID, took a two hour power nap in the car, wen inside and met the Teton Aviation flight school manager who has some sort of business/friendship relationship with the owner. I knew that the Wilga's owner had money, but the extent thoroughly surprised me as I was toured his personal hangar which house all his other "toys" including a Kodiak Turboprop.

The manager left me alone with the airplane, mechanic, and all the paper work. I went through all the documents to make sure she was legal to fly, and reconstructed the history of the airplane as best I could. The airplane was seized by a Sheriff's office in 2012 and sold at auction. The current owner bought it at Oshkosh in late 2012 and had it dissembled and trucked to KDIJ where it was resembled. and re-certified by the FAA as all previous certification paper work was lost in the Sheriff's seizure. The test reports from the annual showed that the engine is in like-new condition with excellent compression in all cylinders (Lycoming IO-540). The airplane was flown by both the owner and briefly commercially by Teton Aviation manager as a platform for a $750,000 HD gimbal camera used in the backcountry ski movie "Fall Line" (I'll try to dig up the footage)

I was left alone with the airplane for the next two hours where I looked at every detail of the airplane. Other than a few small nicks in the sheet metal the airplane looked brand new inside and out (big contrast to the beat-up rental 172s I've been used to). After the inspection we pre-flighted the airplane, filled up the tanks and went for a 1.5 hour flight where I was given the controls and performed my basic flight-school maneuvers. Felt great, it felt like flying the Cessna 172 I was accustomed to. The pilot/instructor also taught me full flap, 60* canyon turns (fun!!!). We also practiced setting up landing configuration, but understandably he did not let me land the airplane. We landed in the grass strip parallel to the runway to demonstrate the soft field performance. I was given the controls for taxing and had no issues.

My fiance left for some dinner and talked about if this airplane was right for us. We reviewed our mission needs and the Wilga fit the bill perfectly. After some negotiations thought the broker via e-mail a deal was struck and the 50% down payment is paid. If all goes well, I'll be an owner soon I decided that a pre-purchase inspection was not needed given my best judgment and circumstance (begin the internet flaming?).

Link to some pics: https://picasaweb.google.com/101639961545532405055/WilgaOctober112015?authuser=0&feat=directlink

xdillonx,

That is awesome, really excited for you!!! Drigggs is a pretty sweet airport, I had a great experience there this summer, some first class aircraft on that field and a heck of a nice pilot lounge

We expect pictures and reports ASAP

Congrats on becoming an airplane owner! I hope it fulfills all your expectations and most importantly, you have a WONDERFUL time with it (that's what it's really all about!!!)! Sounds like a pretty interesting bird!
John

Congratulations, sweet ride.