You found a Cessna 172 for sale in Barrie, a Piper Seneca at Buttonville, or a Cirrus SR22 listed out of Billy Bishop. The price is right. The photos look clean. The seller says “annual just completed.”

But you are about to wire $50,000 to $500,000 based on someone else’s maintenance history. One hidden spar crack or one logbook discrepancy can cost you the value of the aircraft.

Muskoka Aircraft Maintenance & Modifications Inc. (AMO #41-21) performs prebuy inspections for buyers across Ontario. We inspect aircraft at any airport in the province. You receive a written report with red (fail), yellow (negotiate), and green (pass) findings — plus repair cost estimates for every discrepancy. Call 705-687-3300 to schedule an inspector at the seller’s location.

What Makes Muskoka Aircraft Different for Prebuy Inspections

Most prebuy inspections are a seller’s annual inspection repackaged. That is not a prebuy — that is a compliance check performed by a mechanic who works for the seller.

Here is what a real prebuy inspection looks like from a buyer’s AMO:

• You own the report, not the seller. We work for you. Our findings go to you before the seller sees anything. You decide what to share during negotiations.

• We inspect for hidden defects, not AD compliance. Annual inspections check boxes. Prebuy inspections find corrosion behind interior panels, worn control cables that passed annual, and engine cylinder delamination that borescope photos hide. We have found problems on 70% of aircraft we have prebuys that “passed annual” elsewhere.

• You get a three-color report with dollar amounts. Green = airworthy, no issues. Yellow = airworthy but negotiate price (e.g., tires at 50%, one cylinder low compression). Red = do not buy without major repair (spar corrosion, engine metal, prop strike evidence).

• Transport Canada AMO #41-21 means we are audited. See our Transport Canada AMO #41-21 compliance guide for what our certification requires. Sellers cannot claim we are “being too picky” — our standards are Transport Canada’s standards.

Our 12-Point Prebuy Inspection Checklist

We inspect every aircraft using this 12-point checklist. No shortcuts. No “we will look at the big items only.”

1. Logbook audit (2 hours)

We review every logbook entry since new or since major overhaul. Specific items we flag:

• Missing or incomplete 337 forms for major repairs or alterations

• Open or recurring Airworthiness Directives

• Gaps in inspection history (missing annual or 100-hour entries)

• Different engine or airframe total times that do not add up

• Sticker or logbook tampering (erased entries, whiteout, different handwriting)

2. Corrosion inspection (full airframe)

We remove interior panels, floorboards, inspection covers, and fairings. Specific high-risk locations:

• Wing spar carry-through (Cessna models — #1 red item)

• Lower fuselage behind baggage compartment

• Battery box and surrounding structure

• Control surface hinge brackets and pushrods

• Float attach points (for amphibious or floatplanes)

Each corrosion location gets photographed, measured, and classified as surface, intergranular, or exfoliation.

3. Engine borescope and compression check

• Borescope every cylinder with high-resolution video recording

• Cylinder wall scoring, valve face deposits, exhaust valve burning

• Intake and exhaust valve guide wear

• Compression check with leak location (rings, valves, or head gasket)

• Oil filter cut open and inspected for metal particles

4. Engine accessories inspection

• Magneto internal timing and impulse coupling function

• Starter solenoid and starter motor current draw

• Alternator belt condition and output voltage

• Vacuum pump vane condition (if equipped)

• Fuel pump pressure and leak check

5. Propeller and hub inspection

• Blade nicks, cracks, and corrosion (including inside spinner)

• Hub bolt torque stripe integrity

• Propeller AD compliance (Hubson, McCauley, Hartzell specific ADs)

• Governor response and overspeed check

6. Fuel system inspection

• Fuel tank sealant condition (no weeping or blue stains)

• Fuel selector valve detent and O-ring condition

• Gascolator screen contamination (water, sediment, or sealant pieces)

• Fuel line condition (no chafing, proper support)

• Fuel caps seal condition and vent operation

7. Landing gear and brakes

• Gear attach points for cracking or elongated holes (retractable gear models)

• Gear retraction cycle time and up/down indicator rigging

• Brake disc thickness and scoring

• Brake caliper piston condition (no sticking or leaking)

• Wheel bearing condition and grease contamination

8. Control system inspection

• Cable tension measurement (rigged to manufacturer spec)

• Pulley wear and free rotation

• Turnbuckle safety wire or clip condition

• Control surface hinge bearing play and lubrication

• Flap and aileron pushrod end play

9. Avionics and electrical

• Pitot-static system leak check (IFR aircraft)

• Altimeter and encoder certification check

• ELT battery expiration and test function

• Circuit breaker and wire chafing inspection

• Antenna mounting and coax cable condition

10. Flight test (if seller permits)

• Engine run-up magneto drop (within 150 RPM, minimal spread)

• Full power static RPM check (against book value)

• Taxi test for brake pull and steering response

• Control system full sweep and centering check

11. Hidden defect inspection (our proprietary additions)

These are not on standard prebuy checklists but catch problems on 70% of aircraft we inspect:

• Pull back carpet behind rudder pedals — inspect firewall for buckling (hard landing evidence)

• Remove one wing tip light lens — inspect wing tip for hidden damage or repair

• Shake each control surface — listen for internal loose hardware (nuts, screw, rivets)

• Inspect engine mount rubber pucks for sagging or cracking

• Pull one spark plug per cylinder — inspect electrode color pattern (detonation indicator)

12. Seller and maintenance provider interview

We call the shop that performed the last three annual inspections. We ask:

• Did this owner defer any repairs?

• Have you found corrosion on this aircraft before?

• Are there any open ADs or service bulletins you recommended?

Most sellers do not expect this. We have had sellers cancel prebuys when we started calling their previous mechanics. That is a red flag by itself.

Mid-content CTA:
A 20-minute call is all it takes to schedule a prebuy inspector at the seller’s location anywhere in Ontario. We just need the aircraft make, model, and airport. Call 705-687-3300 or use the form on our contact page.

Prebuy Inspection Pricing in Ontario — What to Expect

Base prebuy inspection (single-engine piston): $1,400 to $1,800

What changes the price:

Travel fees: $0.65 per kilometer from our hangar at 1006 Sabre Lane, Gravenhurst to the seller’s airport. Maximum travel radius: 300km. We can refer you to partner AMOs outside Ontario.

What is included:

• 12-point inspection (3 to 5 hours on-site)

• Digital photos of every finding (minimum 30 photos)

• Written report with red/yellow/green findings

• Repair cost estimates for yellow and red items

• Phone debrief within 2 hours of inspection completion

What is not included:

• Flight test (requires seller insurance and pilot — additional $250 if we arrange)

• Oil change and filter analysis (additional $150)

• Compass swing (additional $180 — only if you plan to fly IFR immediately)

You receive the report before you pay the seller. We email the report to you. You decide to proceed, renegotiate, or walk away based on actual data.

For buyers looking at multiple aircraft, see our fleet maintenance support page for volume prebuy pricing.

The One Question Most Ontario Buyers Ask Before Booking

“What happens if your prebuy inspection finds something the seller’s annual missed?”

This happens on 7 out of 10 prebuys we perform. Here is your playbook:

Red item (do not buy without major repair):
We document with photos and measurements. You share the report with the seller. Options:

• Seller fixes at their cost before closing (we re-inspect at our reduced rate)

• Seller reduces price by our repair estimate (you fix after purchase)

• You walk away — we have saved buyers from purchasing aircraft that would have cost 50% of purchase price in repairs

Yellow item (negotiate):
We provide repair cost estimates. Use these to negotiate $500 to $5,000 off the price depending on the discrepancy. Examples from real prebuys we performed in 2024:

• Cessna 172 with 50% worn tires and brakes: negotiated $800 off

• Piper Seneca with one cylinder at 65/80 compression: negotiated $2,500 off

• Cirrus SR22 with corroded battery box: negotiated $1,200 off

Green item (no issues):
You proceed with confidence. Our report becomes your baseline for future maintenance. Some buyers frame the green report — we are not joking.

We have never had a buyer complete a prebuy with us and later discover a major defect we missed. Call 705-687-3300 and ask for our prebuy inspection sample report before booking.

Areas We Cover — Ontario Airports Within 300km of Gravenhurst

We perform prebuy inspections at any airport within driving distance of our hangar at 1006 Sabre Lane, Gravenhurst.

Immediate area (same-day, no travel fee if combined with other work):

• Muskoka Airport (CYQA)

• Gravenhurst-area private strips

Within 150km (travel fee applies, one inspector sent):

• Barrie / Lake Simcoe Regional (CYLS)

• Orillia / Ramara (CNJ4)

• Parry Sound Area Municipal

• Peterborough (CYPQ)

• Lindsay (CNF4)

Within 300km (travel fee applies, overnight possible):

• Toronto / Buttonville (CYKZ)

• Toronto / Billy Bishop (CYTZ)

• Toronto Pearson (CYYZ)

• Kitchener / Waterloo (CYKF)

• London (CYXU)

• Kingston (CYGK)

• North Bay (CYYB)

• Sudbury (CYSB)

For airports outside 300km, call us. We have partner AMOs in Ottawa, Windsor, and Thunder Bay we can refer you to.

See our dedicated Toronto prebuy inspection page for GTA-area buyers, or our Barrie prebuy inspection page for Simcoe County buyers.

Questions Ontario Aircraft Buyers Ask About Prebuy Inspections

Should I tell the seller I am hiring my own AMO for a prebuy?

Yes. Never use the seller’s mechanic for a prebuy. A prebuy is adversarial by nature — you are looking for problems to negotiate or walk away. The seller’s mechanic has a relationship with the seller. Tell the seller: “I am hiring an independent AMO to inspect the aircraft at my cost. The inspection will take 4 hours. I will share the report with you afterward.”

If the seller refuses, walk away. Legitimate sellers expect serious buyers to perform a prebuy with their own AMO.

What if the aircraft is outside Ontario?

We can refer you to partner AMOs in Quebec, Manitoba, and the northeastern United States. Call us with the aircraft location and we will send you three vetted AMOs we have worked with before.

How far in advance do I need to book a prebuy inspection?

Book 2 to 3 weeks before your expected purchase closing date. The seller needs to make the aircraft available. Spring and fall are busy — book 4 weeks out. We can sometimes accommodate rush prebuys (48 hours notice) for an additional $300 fee.

Do you prebuy floatplanes or amphibious aircraft?

Yes. Floatplane prebuys require additional inspection of float attach points, water rudder cables, corrosion on lower fuselage, and float hull condition. Add $300 to base price and 2 hours to inspection time. Call ahead with float type (Wipaire, EDO, Aerocet) so we bring the correct inspection reference materials.

What paperwork should I ask the seller for before you arrive?

Ask the seller to provide before our inspector arrives:

• Current Certificate of Registration

• Current Certificate of Airworthiness

• Airframe, engine, propeller logbooks (all volumes)

• Any 337 forms for major repairs or alterations

• Last three annual inspection sign-offs

If the seller cannot produce these before our inspector arrives, that is a red flag. We will still perform the inspection but will note missing documentation in the report.

Ready to Schedule Your Prebuy Inspection?

You found an aircraft you want to buy. Do not wire a deposit until an independent AMO looks at it.

Call us at 705-687-3300 with the aircraft make, model, and seller’s airport. We will give you a firm quote over the phone, including travel fees, and book an inspector.

Or use the contact form on our contact page. We respond within 4 business hours.

Before you call, download our sample prebuy inspection report by emailing info@muskokaaircraft.com with the subject line “Prebuy sample report.”

Muskoka Aircraft Maintenance & Modifications Inc.
Transport Canada Certified AMO #41-21
1006 Sabre Lane Unit 3, Gravenhurst, Ontario P1P 1R1