FLAP PANTANEIRO

Technical guide

Aircraft Due Diligence: What to Check Before Buying

Due diligence is the verification of everything the seller says about the aircraft, done before the buyer takes on the risk. In aviation, what shows up after the purchase is rarely small: damage history, a registry issue, a document that does not add up.

Flap has an internal rule with no exceptions: an aircraft that has not been verified is not presented to the client. The reason is that a surprise the buyer discovers after the conversation breaks trust, which is what sustains any deal of this size.

What goes into due diligence

  1. 1

    Registration and ownership in the RAB

    Confirm the registration marks, the registered owner and whether the seller is the holder or represents the holder with documented authority. The RAB (Brazilian Aircraft Registry), governed by ANAC Resolution No. 293/2013, is also where you check guarantees: the rule addresses aircraft given as security and the creditor's consent for acts such as cancellation of registration.

  2. 2

    Occurrence history

    CENIPA maintains the SIPAER Panel, with data on aviation occurrences in Brazilian civil aviation, and the Final Report is published when the investigation is concluded. A past incident does not condemn the aircraft, but it must be known and explained, and the corresponding repair must be documented.

  3. 3

    Airframe, engine and propeller logbooks

    A complete read, in chronological order, looking for gaps in hours, repairs without description, inspections out of date and mismatches between airframe and engine hours. A logbook that does not tell the whole story is a finding in itself.

  4. 4

    Airworthiness directives and bulletins

    Check whether the directives applicable to the model, engine, propeller and avionics have been complied with and whether compliance is recorded, with date and responsible party.

  5. 5

    Engine and propeller status

    Hours since the last overhaul, overhaul condition and what the manufacturer recommends for the model. This is one of the largest future cost lines and must go into the buyer's calculation.

  6. 6

    Avionics and modifications

    Check that each installed item of equipment and each modification has the corresponding approval documentation, and that the equipment works. A modernized panel without the paperwork to support it is a risk, not value.

  7. 7

    Independent physical inspection

    The logbook says what was done. The pre-buy inspection, with a shop chosen by the buyer, says what is actually on the aircraft: corrosion, poorly executed repairs, wear.

The result of due diligence is a report covering what was verified, what could not be verified and what changes the value of the deal. Separating these three things is what gives the buyer a basis to negotiate or walk away without regret.

Flap conducts this research on the aircraft it brokers and supports the buyer on aircraft the buyer found on their own.

Talk to a specialist

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Frequently asked questions

Does an accident or incident in the history rule out the purchase?

Not necessarily. What matters is the nature of the occurrence, the repair carried out, the documentation of the repair and the effect on the value of the aircraft. What is not acceptable is discovering the occurrence afterward.

Where do I look up an aircraft's occurrences?

CENIPA provides the SIPAER Panel, with the occurrence history of civil aviation for the last ten years, and publishes the Final Report of concluded investigations. Flap runs this search as part of due diligence.

Who pays for the due diligence?

The research protects the buyer, so it is done on the buyer's behalf. Flap conducts this work on the aircraft it brokers and supports the buyer on aircraft the buyer found on their own.

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