You found a Cirrus SR22 listed at Buttonville (CYKZ), a Piper Seneca at Pearson (CYYZ), or a Cessna 185 on floats at Billy Bishop (CYTZ). The seller says “annual just completed” and “no known issues.” But you are about to wire $100,000to$500,000 based on a maintenance history provided by the person selling the aircraft.

Muskoka Aircraft Maintenance & Modifications Inc. (AMO #41-21) performs independent prebuy inspections for Toronto buyers at any GTA airport. You own the inspection report. The seller never sees it without your permission. You receive a three-color report: red (do not buy), yellow (negotiate), green (proceed). Typical prebuy cost: $1,400to$1,800 plus travel.

Call 705-687-3300 to schedule an inspector at the seller’s location. We respond within 24 hours.

Why Toronto Buyers Hire an Independent AMO From Outside the GTA

You have prebuy inspection options in Toronto. Here is why buyers drive our inspector to the seller’s aircraft instead of using a local shop:

• The seller’s mechanic is not your advocate. If the seller recommends a local shop for the prebuy, that shop has a relationship with the seller. We have no relationship with any GTA seller. We work for you. Period.

• You own the report. Most GTA shops share findings with both parties by default. We email the report only to you. You decide what to share during negotiations. Sellers do not see red or yellow findings unless you choose to show them.

• We find problems Toronto prebuys miss. In the last 12 months, we identified wing spar corrosion, engine cylinder delamination, and logbook discrepancies on Toronto-area aircraft that had “clean prebuys” from local shops. Every finding includes a photo and repair cost estimate.

• Transport Canada AMO #41-21 certification. Not every shop offering prebuys holds an AMO certificate. Transport Canada audits our processes, tools, and technician qualifications. See our Transport Canada AMO #41-21 compliance guide for what this means for your purchase protection.

• We are not emotionally invested in the deal. Local GTA shops may rely on seller referrals for future business. We do not. We have never met the seller. We have no reason to downplay findings. Our only incentive is finding what is wrong so you do not overpay.

How Our Prebuy Inspection Works for Toronto Buyers

We designed our process for buyers who found an aircraft in the GTA but want an independent second set of eyes.

Step 1: Initial call and seller coordination (before inspection)

Call 705-687-3300 with the aircraft make, model, and seller’s airport (CYKZ, CYTZ, CYYZ, or other GTA location). We ask you to coordinate with the seller on:

• Aircraft availability date (full day — we need 4 to 5 hours on-site)

• Access to logbooks (all volumes — airframe, engine, propeller)

• Seller contact information for our inspector

• Any known squawks the seller has disclosed

We then schedule an inspector to travel to the seller’s location.

Step 2: On-site inspection (4 to 5 hours)

Our inspector travels to the GTA airport on the scheduled date. We perform our full 12-point prebuy inspection (detailed on our main prebuy inspection page). We:

• Audit all logbooks for missing entries, open ADs, and discrepancies

• Remove inspection panels and interior covers to check for corrosion

• Borescope every cylinder and record compression

• Inspect control cables, pulleys, and attach points

• Photograph every finding (minimum 30 photos)

The seller may be present. Our inspector does not share findings with the seller during the inspection.

Step 3: Report delivery to you only (within 24 hours)

We email you a written report with:

• Red findings (airworthiness issues — do not buy without repair)

• Yellow findings (non-airworthiness but negotiate price)

• Green findings (airworthy, no issues)

• Repair cost estimates for every red and yellow item

• All photos with captions

The seller does not receive a copy. You decide whether to share the report during negotiations.

Step 4: Your negotiation or walk-away decision

You now have data the seller does not have. Your options:

• Green report only — proceed with confidence, share green findings to show the aircraft is clean

• Yellow findings — negotiate price down by our repair cost estimates (typical Toronto buyers negotiate $500to$5,000 off)

• Red findings — walk away or demand seller repair before closing (we re-inspect at reduced rate)

Typical timeline for Toronto buyers: One phone call, one inspection date, report in hand within 24 hours. No need to travel to the aircraft yourself unless you want to be present.

Mid-content CTA:
The difference between a good prebuy and a bad prebuy is an independent AMO with no relationship to the seller. That is us. Call 705-687-3300 to schedule an inspector at the seller’s GTA location. Or use the form on our contact page.

Prebuy Inspection Pricing for Toronto Aircraft Buyers

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

Travel fees from our hangar in Gravenhurst to GTA airports:

What is included in the base price:

• 12-point inspection (4 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 or email 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 — only if seller permits)

• 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 Toronto Buyers Ask Before Booking

“Why should I hire an AMO from Muskoka instead of using a shop at the seller’s airport?”

We understand the question. A local shop seems more convenient. Here is why Toronto buyers switch to us after one bad experience:

Real Toronto buyer testimonial (paraphrased from a 2024 customer):
“I almost bought a Cirrus SR22 from a seller at CYKZ. The seller’s recommended shop did a prebuy and said ‘minor squawks only.’ I hired Muskoka Aircraft for a second opinion. David found wing spar corrosion that would have cost 25,000torepair.Theseller′sshopmissedit—ordidn′twanttofindit.Iwalkedaway.Best25,000torepair.Theseller′sshopmissedit—ordidn′twanttofindit.Iwalkedaway.Best2,100 I ever spent.”
— Cirrus SR22 buyer, Toronto (full testimonial available on request)

GTA Airports We Serve for Prebuy Inspections

We perform prebuy inspections at these Toronto-area airports:

• Buttonville (CYKZ) — Our most common GTA prebuy location. 150km from our hangar. Travel fee $195.

• Lake Simcoe Regional (CYLS) — 100km from our hangar. Travel fee $130. Also serves Barrie and Orillia buyers.

• Toronto Pearson (CYYZ) — 170km from our hangar. Travel fee $220. GA access requires prior arrangement — we handle this.

• Billy Bishop (CYTZ) — 175km from our hangar. Travel fee $230. Ferry permit may be required — we help arrange.

• Oshawa (CYOO) — 190km from our hangar. Travel fee $250.

• Brampton (CNC3) — 160km from our hangar. Travel fee $210.

• Markham (CYKZ adjacent private strips) — Same as Buttonville pricing.

For airports outside this list (Hamilton, Burlington, Kitchener-Waterloo, London), call us. We travel up to 300km from Gravenhurst. We have done prebuys at CYKF, CYXU, and CZBA.

See our main prebuy inspection service page for full 12-point checklist details, or our Barrie prebuy inspection page for Simcoe County buyers.

Questions Toronto Aircraft Buyers Ask About Prebuy Inspections

Can I be present during the prebuy inspection?

Yes, absolutely. We encourage buyers to attend if possible. You will see exactly what we find in real time. Our inspector will explain each finding as it is discovered. Some Toronto buyers fly commercial to Billy Bishop or Buttonville and meet our inspector on-site. If you cannot attend, we provide photos and a detailed report.

What if the seller refuses to allow an independent prebuy?

Walk away. Legitimate sellers expect serious buyers to perform a prebuy with their own AMO. A seller who refuses is hiding something. We have had sellers cancel prebuys when we started calling their previous mechanics — that is a red flag by itself.

How do you handle prebuys on aircraft based at CYTZ (Billy Bishop)?

CYTZ has restricted GA access. We coordinate with PortsToronto in advance. Our inspector requires an airside pass and prior approval. Add $75 to travel fee for the access permit. We have done prebuys at CYTZ — call us to discuss logistics.

What if the aircraft is outside the GTA but still in Ontario?

We travel up to 300km from Gravenhurst. For airports beyond 300km (Ottawa, Kingston, Sudbury, Thunder Bay), we refer you to partner AMOs we have vetted. Call with the aircraft location and we will send you three options.

Do you prebuy floatplanes based at Toronto Island or Lake Simcoe?

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 1 hour to inspection time. Call ahead with float type (Wipaire, EDO, Aerocet) so our inspector brings the correct reference materials.

What happens if your prebuy finds a red item after I already paid a deposit?

We provide a written report with photos and repair cost estimates. You share this with the seller. Your deposit terms determine what happens next. Some buyers negotiate the repair cost off the final price. Others walk away and forfeit the deposit — which is often smaller than the repair cost. We have helped Toronto buyers avoid over $100,000 in hidden repairs in the last 12 months alone.

Ready to Schedule Your Toronto Prebuy Inspection?

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

Call 705-687-3300 with the aircraft make, model, and seller’s GTA airport. We will give you a firm quote including travel, coordinate with the seller, and schedule 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

We come to you — anywhere in the GTA.