Fearless Tower
New member
Looking for opinions on he I should handle this situation.
Background: I recently did a pre-buy on an airplane. We had agreed on a price based on advertised material condition and made arrangements for the pre-buy (my IA) and a demo flight.
Because of the nature of the aircraft (high performance warbird) and my low time in type (1.5 hrs) I had asked for and agreed to pay for a CFI to fly with me for the demo flight. Owners stipulation was I had to fly in the back seat and wouldn't be able to fly the takeoff or landing.
Day of the demo flight came and I was delayed getting to the airport due to airplane problems. I called before the scheduled meeting time and asked if they wanted to wait or reschedule for another day. They chose to wait.
Demo flight was an absolute joke. Intercom did not work at all and the demo pilot simply taxied out did a quick runup and took off without ever being able to talk to me. Then he tries to get me to take the airplane and fly with hand signals. After 30 seconds of touching the stick I sad this is BS and had to shout to him several times to take me back. Total flight time was probably 10 minutes...I don't think the engine ran 20 minutes.
We go ahead and proceed to the pre-buy....it was a basket case. I turned down the aircraft and got my deposit back.
Now, several days later, the broker emails me and asks me to send him a check..".payable to the broker. The demo pilot apparently wants $300 for the flight and having to wait for me. I'm kind of ****ed that I am even being asked to pay this guy for the experience, but the broker is insisting that it is the 'right thing to do'
So, recognizing that I am a bit ticked off/ emotional about how the demo flight was handled, I ask my fellow POA flyers- what is the right thing to do?
Further complicating things, the 'professional pilot' only has a third class medical, although he is a CFI. I don't think I can legally pay him for services as a demo pilot and he sure as hell didn't provide flight instruction.
Thoughts?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Background: I recently did a pre-buy on an airplane. We had agreed on a price based on advertised material condition and made arrangements for the pre-buy (my IA) and a demo flight.
Because of the nature of the aircraft (high performance warbird) and my low time in type (1.5 hrs) I had asked for and agreed to pay for a CFI to fly with me for the demo flight. Owners stipulation was I had to fly in the back seat and wouldn't be able to fly the takeoff or landing.
Day of the demo flight came and I was delayed getting to the airport due to airplane problems. I called before the scheduled meeting time and asked if they wanted to wait or reschedule for another day. They chose to wait.
Demo flight was an absolute joke. Intercom did not work at all and the demo pilot simply taxied out did a quick runup and took off without ever being able to talk to me. Then he tries to get me to take the airplane and fly with hand signals. After 30 seconds of touching the stick I sad this is BS and had to shout to him several times to take me back. Total flight time was probably 10 minutes...I don't think the engine ran 20 minutes.
We go ahead and proceed to the pre-buy....it was a basket case. I turned down the aircraft and got my deposit back.
Now, several days later, the broker emails me and asks me to send him a check..".payable to the broker. The demo pilot apparently wants $300 for the flight and having to wait for me. I'm kind of ****ed that I am even being asked to pay this guy for the experience, but the broker is insisting that it is the 'right thing to do'
So, recognizing that I am a bit ticked off/ emotional about how the demo flight was handled, I ask my fellow POA flyers- what is the right thing to do?
Further complicating things, the 'professional pilot' only has a third class medical, although he is a CFI. I don't think I can legally pay him for services as a demo pilot and he sure as hell didn't provide flight instruction.
Thoughts?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
