Some Things You Should Take Into Consideration When Applying For Aircraft Financing

By Michelle Kennedy


If you have tried to finance anything lately, you know that it is becoming harder and harder to get a good loan. The same holds true for those who want to buy a plane and don't have the funds to purchase it outright. There are some things you can do however, to make the process of obtaining aircraft financing easier.

If you are buying your first plane, it might be a good idea to sit down with a financial advisor to get everything in order before you approach a loan officer. The kind of loan you are able to get will depend, in part, on the kind of plane you are interested in. Your advisor will be able to tell whether or not you can qualify for the financing, and if not, what you need to do to make yourself more attractive to financial institutions.

Your ability to pay the loan back is often the first consideration when lenders look at an application. They do want to feel comfortable however, that you are not overpaying for something. If, for some reason, you renege on your loan, they don't want to end up with something on their books that they can't get rid of. Older planes are riskier for loan officers and a harder sell when it comes to asking for money.

Before you actually take out a loan to purchase a plane, you probably need to consult your accountant to see whether or not a lease agreement would be better for your situation. If you need a tax depreciation, buying might be the best idea. You could always get proposals for a loan and for a lease to see which terms are the most attractive. You should be aware though, that a lot of financial institutions only make purchase loans.

The person actually purchasing the plane is an important consideration and one that many don't think about at first. The final decision will depend on liability, operating rules, tax considerations, and how partners or others are going to use and help pay for the plane. Whether or not a commercial business or private individual is the principal buyer might determine which financial institution ends up lending the money.

You probably don't need to put all your hopes on one lending institution. It is a better idea to ask several to submit proposals. In the beginning, your requirements should be high, and possibly unattainable, but it won't hurt to ask. No down payment and a 25 year amortization is a good place to start.

When you have gotten your proposals back and compared them, you should begin to negotiate. Showing one lender what another is offering isn't the best strategy. You can sit down with your preferred financial officer however, and try to get the best terms possible. In the end, settling for the lender experienced in plane loans may be best.

Commercial flight continues to get more expensive, uncomfortable, and complicated. Having a private plane at your disposal eliminates that problem. Getting financing to buy one is possible if you follow some simple rules.




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