How to buy an aircraft
A clear, nine-step path from first idea to keys in hand — with the tools, guides and checklists you need at each stage, and independent advisors when you want a second opinion on the decisions that matter.
Nine steps to a well-bought aircraft
Define the mission
Start from how you'll actually fly, not a brochure. Typical trip length and passenger count set the cabin and range you need; your home runway and preferred airports set the field performance; and an honest annual-hours estimate drives everything downstream. Get this right and the shortlist writes itself.
Shortlist and compare
Put candidate aircraft side by side on verified specs — range, cruise speed, cabin, payload and runway performance — so the trade-offs are explicit rather than anecdotal. Narrow to two or three types that genuinely fit the mission before you go deeper.
Decide new or pre-owned
New means the latest avionics, a warranty and no history to diligence — at a premium and with the steepest early depreciation. Pre-owned is where most value sits, if you inspect properly. The right answer depends on budget, how long you'll keep the aircraft, and your appetite for maintenance risk.
Budget the true cost of ownership
The purchase price is the smallest part of the decision. Model the fully-burdened cost per flight hour — fuel, maintenance reserves, crew, insurance and hangar — because utilisation is the single biggest lever on your economics. Two operators of the same aircraft can see very different per-hour numbers.
Value the aircraft
Before you make or accept an offer, get an independent read on what the aircraft is actually worth — its age, hours and condition against the market. It's your check on the asking price and your anchor in the negotiation.
Arrange financing and insurance
Line up financing early — lenders differ on loan-to-value, term and rate for aircraft, and pre-approval strengthens your position. In parallel, get an indicative insurance figure: hull and liability premiums vary widely by type and pilot profile and belong in your budget from day one.
Run the pre-purchase inspection
The pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is the most important money you'll spend before closing. An independent shop examines the airframe, engines, logbooks, airworthiness directives and damage history — and what it finds is your leverage to renegotiate or walk away. Never skip it, even on a clean-looking aircraft.
Make the offer and negotiate
A letter of intent (LOI) sets price, deposit, inspection scope and timelines, usually with funds held in escrow. Price is only part of it — maintenance-program status, delivery condition and who pays for squawks found at inspection often matter more. This is where independent advice pays for itself.
Close, register and take delivery
Closing coordinates the purchase agreement, escrow, title search, registration and delivery. Get the technical acceptance, records transfer and de-registration/registration sequence right — especially on a cross-border deal — so you take delivery with clean title and no surprises.
What to check before you sign
A practical starting point for your own diligence. Illustrative, not legal advice — have qualified counsel and technical experts review your specific transaction.
Pre-purchase inspection
- Independent, type-experienced inspection facility (not the seller's shop)
- Airframe, engine(s) and APU borescope / condition review
- Complete logbook and records continuity — no gaps
- Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins compliance status
- Damage history and prior repairs verified
- Maintenance-program enrolment (engine/airframe) confirmed and transferable
- Avionics configuration, databases and mandates (e.g. ADS-B) current
- Corrosion, interior and paint condition documented with photos
Documents & due diligence
- Registration and clean title / lien search
- Bill of sale and purchase agreement reviewed by counsel
- Escrow agent engaged; deposit and funds flow defined
- Import/export, duty and tax position confirmed for your jurisdiction
- Warranty and program transfer paperwork
- Insurance bound effective at closing
- Total time, cycles and component times reconciled to logs
Closing & delivery
- Technical acceptance flight and squawk list resolved
- Records and logbooks physically transferred
- De-registration / registration sequence coordinated
- Funds released from escrow on confirmed title transfer
- Crew, training and initial maintenance events scheduled
- Hangar, insurance and management in place before first flight
How to buy an aircraft: FAQs
How do I buy an aircraft?
The process runs in stages: define your mission (range, passengers, runway, hours), shortlist and compare candidate types, decide new versus pre-owned, budget the true cost of ownership, get an independent valuation, arrange financing and insurance, run a thorough pre-purchase inspection, make an offer via a letter of intent, then close, register and take delivery. Skipping the diligence stages — especially the pre-purchase inspection — is where buyers get hurt.
How long does it take to buy an aircraft?
For a straightforward pre-owned transaction, expect roughly four to eight weeks from accepted offer to closing, driven mainly by the pre-purchase inspection and any squawks it uncovers. Cross-border deals, financing, and de-registration/registration can add time. New-aircraft deliveries follow the manufacturer's build slot, which can be months to years out.
What are the ongoing costs after buying?
Budget for fixed costs (crew, insurance, hangar, management, subscriptions) and variable costs (fuel, engine and airframe maintenance reserves, landing and handling fees). Your fully-burdened cost per flight hour is both divided by hours flown — so utilisation matters enormously. Use the operating cost calculator to model your situation before you commit.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection?
Always — even on a clean-looking aircraft. An independent, type-experienced facility examines the airframe, engines, logbooks, AD compliance and damage history. It is the single most valuable spend before closing: what it finds is your leverage to renegotiate the price, require repairs, or walk away.
Want an independent read before you buy?
Our acquisition advisors model shortlisted aircraft against your real mission and budget — and represent your side of the table through inspection and closing.