Paul; I am currently preparing a homebuilt for my flight home after having
bought it on barnstormers, and there are some complicating factors to consider.
The plane is out of annual and cannot be test-flown without completing one. It
is almost impossible to compete with a local buyer who can decide at
plane-side.I was lucky and won the plane...but it is easy to waste other's time
and your money on a plane that is distant to you and close to your competitors.
Therefore, you will need a local friend who can guide the plane through annual,
test flight and purchase, and crating for shipment to OZ. This friend needs to
be an a&p (mechanic) because an a&p is needed for the annual, and many will not
work on homebuilt aircraft, especially VW powered, wooden planes. An IA
(inspector) is also required for the certificate of export for your government.
You should call the seller and ask for the numbers of local IAs and A&Ps who
are familiar with the plane. Talk with them about it, and recruit one to be
your man on the spot. There is integrity and caution trained into this
profession. This is what I did, and it worked for me. Warning: Arkansans are
often difficult to communicate with. They speak archaic Elizabethan english.
