Paying the $400 is the right thing to do. That is why I always maiden my airplanes because I would never want a mishap to occur and then blame someone else or have someone that was doing a favor feel guilty. I always said if I can't maiden my airplane for whatever the reason is, then I should not own it. Last year I maiden a used TamJets F16 and the main landing gear failed to come down. I knew it was bad, first flight and no main wheels. But the key to that is to stay calm, plan all the "what if" before the flight, and always get the mindset that you have control until the very moment it impacts the ground and crashes. The F16 landed down the center line and made a very smooth touchdown with only minor scrapes to the belly.