I was looking for fighter jets which are available to be bought by private citizens. I was wondering: how would you schedule the maintenance, as most of the jets are ex-military and there are no maintenance plans?
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1$\begingroup$ My suggestion would be to ask the manufacturer to provide you with the maintenance manuals. $\endgroup$– Daniel KCommented Jan 12, 2018 at 12:22
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4$\begingroup$ and, maybe find a retired military maintenance officer or senior NCO and hire him. $\endgroup$– Charles BretanaCommented Jan 12, 2018 at 13:25
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1$\begingroup$ Some fighters with larger followings, like the L-39 Albatross, you can find service centers in different parts of the country to service them. $\endgroup$– Ron BeyerCommented Jan 12, 2018 at 15:55
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4$\begingroup$ Actually for airworthiness certification of ex-military jets I believe they require you to obtain any/all declassified manuals, maintenance manuals, etc. on them. I know for a FACT to certify the Mig-21 they require you to own all the Mig-21 manuals (technical orders, maintenance manuals, parts catalogs, engine manuals, inspection schedules, flight manuals, and checklists) sigh I should have bought that mig. Biggest regret of my life. $\endgroup$– Noah WoodCommented Jan 22, 2018 at 4:41
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4$\begingroup$ And from these manuals it should be possible to have parts custom-fabricated; that's actually not difficult to get done it's just expensive. $\endgroup$– Noah WoodCommented Jan 22, 2018 at 4:42
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Most military surplus aircraft are considered by the FAA to be experimental exhibition aircraft and subject to the rules and maintenance requirements for experimental aircraft. That being said, most owners seek out retired military personnel who did maintenance on these aircraft and currently work as AIs (authorized inspectors) in civilian aviation to handle maintenance and repairs. Firms like Code 1 Aviation and Thornton Aircraft specialize in certain types of military aircraft and have collected libraries of maintenance manuals and other resources for owners and can perform maintenance conforming to the old military and civilian experimental aircraft guidelines.
answered Jan 12, 2018 at 16:43
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$\begingroup$ And what about the maintenance certificates for the mechanic? I read a lot of military aircraft mechanics do not get the kind of license a civilian mechanic has. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 21, 2018 at 19:30
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1$\begingroup$ No, I’m talking about ex-military mechanics which obtain an AI from the FAA. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 21, 2018 at 21:50
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