Value Factors of Your Airplane

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There are various factors that can add to an aircraft’s value when looking to sell or buy. Below is a list of things to consider to conduct an at-home “appraisal.”

Engine Hours
When engines get closer and closer to their TBO (time between overhaul), they lose value because prospective buyers don’t want to incur the cost of having the overhaul done. Additionally, the engines should have consistent records of maintenance and programs to ensure new buyers they won’t have any issues after purchase.

Installed Equipment

  • Avionics- Upgrades like synthetic vision

  • Air Conditioning

  • Interior Equipment

It’s important to note that older equipment can be more costly to maintain due to the limited availability in parts, so it can be worth it to keep up with newer equipment and technology.

Airworthiness
In addition to logging the maintenance of the plane, there should be a good record of Airworthiness Directives compliance. When buying, make sure compliance is recurring, if not, there can be costs to getting the airplane airworthy.

Maintenance Programs
Aircraft with reputable maintenance programs often hold higher value. If the aircraft is on a “power-by-the-hour” engine program, or has tracking software like CAMP, it can be even more attractive to buyers.

Damage History
Damage history can bring down the value of a plane by type of accident, the nature of damage to the aircraft and the degree to which the major components are involved.

Paint & Interior
Paint and interior updates can enhance the value of a plane. Interior items should be checked to ensure they fit and are in good condition. The exterior should be checked for signs of corrosion underneath the paint as well.

Ownership History
Depending on what type of ownership the aircraft was under, wear and tear can be variable. Under a fractional ownership, planes tend to be used more.

Residual Value Forecast
Some models are able to maintain their value over time, while others don’t hold value as effectively. This can be due to the aircraft make being reputable for longevity or luxury depending on what you are looking for. Other aircraft makes can lose value from being outdated.