Aircraft Sales Insights

A Service of Dallas Jet International

Why a Two-Stage Aircraft Marketing Process?

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By Brad Harris

When a client engages Dallas Jet International (DJI) to sell an aircraft, we don’t always broadcast the news.

In fact, many of our clients have good reasons NOT to have the availability or the sale of their aircraft a matter of public knowledge.

In the aviation marketplace, certain sellers cannot advertise their aircraft due to competitive pressures, public perception, or privacy / personal security issues.

Many of our clients, understandably, want to buy or sell an airplane, but do not want their name or their company featured in news items like this one. We work with each client, to create a plan for his or her specific timeframe and outcomes. If a client wishes to avoid publicity, we do our best to avoid it.

In most cases, it’s best to employ a two-stage aircraft marketing process.

Two Stage Aircraft Marketing Process

Our Marketing Process is part of Step Seven in our High Level Aircraft Sale Process; after we’ve created a professional sales package and completed our market research.

 

Two Phase Aircraft Marketing

Our Two-Phase Aircraft Marketing Process often offers the best opportunity for a favorable outcome.

 

 Phase One – “Off-Market” Aircraft Marketing

DJI has a proprietary network of brokers, bankers, members of various associations, and other personal contacts developed over years of working in the industry. Effective “off-market marketing” requires a professional sales package that includes a brochure, specifications sheet, maintenance history, status, and professional photography.

 

Of course, every situation and every aircraft is different, but we find that as much as 30% of the time, we find a buyer during Phase One, without ever publicly advertising the aircraft on a public website or classified service. In fact, many of the buyers in our network prefer to purchase off-market aircraft.

 

Many buyers choose to purchase aircraft that have not be advertised for sale, for many of the same reasons that many sellers choose not to “list” an aircraft for sale – they don’t want their name or their company featured in news items like this one:

 

Phase Two – “On-Market” Aircraft Marketing

If the aircraft does not sell within the timeframe in our prospect’s plan, (usually a minimum of two weeks) and our client’s situation does not preclude advertising the airplane publicly, we have many options for extending visibility.

 

Depending on our choice of a narrow or wide range of visibility, the options may include our website, www.DallasJet.com; the JetNet Aviation Market Intelligence service; the AmStat, Business Aviation Aircraft Market resource; the Aircraft Post; the Aircraft Shopper Online (ASO); Controller Magazine, social media outlets such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google Plus, and Aviation Broadcast email broadcast service.

 

Each Situation Is Unique

 

It is important to select the appropriate advertising tools for the outcome that best meets our client’s needs in terms of time, price and discretion. To discuss the sale of your aircraft, please call our office at 817-520-4009 and let’s talk about your situation and objectives.

Our Aircraft Pricing Strategy

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By Brad Harris

Aircraft pricing is a complex process that can seem mysterious to aircraft buyers and sellers. It can be particularly frustrating for those who don’t work in the aircraft market daily.

There are many disparate pieces of information that factor into the aircraft pricing strategy. DJI has a uniquely thorough process that provides for more accurate and credible pricing. Our reputation for following a detailed process often avoids delays and surprises in the negotiation stage. Our first-hand, accurate information also ensures we have better control throughout the sales process.

The Pricing Procedure

This is the process DJI follows to obtain the best possible price for an aircraft we sell for a client:

  • We consult with the seller regarding his priorities, including timing required for the sale and any other factors.
  • We perform a very detailed history of the aircraft, including equipment, maintenance cycles, engine status and so on.
  • We go on site and take “amateur” digital photos, looking for specific technical details.
  • We engage a professional photographer to do more aesthetic photos that showcase the interior and exterior of the aircraft.
  • We analyze the logbooks and equipment documentation, compiling a complete history and marketing package.
  • We research specific major repairs and alterations (Form FAA 337) and STCs (Supplemental Type Certificates) that may be required for specific equipment.

After evaluating the specific aircraft on-site, we use the data and photos we have collected for market research. We look at every similar aircraft that has been sold in the previous 12 months for sold comparisons.

We subscribe to several services, which provide pricing data for recently sold aircraft of a similar type, age and condition. In addition to this reported data (these are the figures they call “comps” in the real estate industry) we call other brokers to determine the actual sales price and any other circumstances related to the sale.

For every aircraft we sell, someone on our team (Shawn Dinning, Ralph Crosby, or I) have personally touched the aircraft and reviewed the logbooks and records. Many times, those on-site, hands-on analysis provide great opportunities to tell the deeper story of an aircraft and find opportunities and factors that can showcase the real value of the aircraft.

the Aircraft Pricing Strategy is part of the Due Diligence Process.

The Price is Often In the Details

In these comparisons, there are many apparently small factors that can have a large impact on pricing.

Some of these factors might include:

  • Serial number
  • Specific manufacture date
  • Amount of time an aircraft model has spent on the market
  • Number and nature of previous owners
  • Inspection dates
  • Aircraft usage (FAA Part 91 or Part 135 have different operational rules)
  • Where the aircraft is currently located
  • Where the aircraft has been flown
  • Where the galley is located
  • Where the lavatory is located, and if it’s externally serviceable
  • Condition of external paint
  • Type and condition of the entertainment system
  • Avionics factors like a “heads up” display or synthetic vision
  • Cabin management system
  • Condition and type of Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)

The Client’s Objectives

Of course, we share this data and our recommended pricing with our client, and work toward pricing that will balance their need for a timely sale with the objective of selling the aircraft for the highest legitimate price under the circumstances.

The Advantage of DJI’s Pricing Procedure

Our use of this consistent, detailed process contributes substantially to DJI’s credibility in the marketplace. Other professionals understand that what we say about an aircraft comes from our experience as pilots and aircraft owners, and from having personally seen the aircraft and verified the relevant facts.

We won’t be surprised during negotiation with something we should have researched in our Due Diligence. We also won’t be surprised by the revelation of market data. We can speak to the concerns of the buyers and the stakeholders on his team, whether they are pilots or mechanics, or legal or accounting professionals.

This offers our sellers significant peace of mind, knowing the transaction will take advantage of every favorable factor the circumstances provide.

DJI’s Due Diligence Process For An Aircraft Sale

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Almost all aircraft sales professionals tell you that they perform “due diligence” to help the aircraft seller get the very best possible outcome for the transaction.

And yet, few of these brokers or consultants will tell you what this “due diligence” is composed of!

Briefly outlined, this is the process we use at Dallas Jet International (DJI.)

Due Diligence in the Sales Process

Keep in mind that Due Diligence is the first in the twelve major steps in our Aircraft Sales Process. Each of the twelve steps includes numerous additional items. Download Anatomy of an Aircraft Sale for a high-level overview of the entire process. Some of these high-level processes include over a hundred steps.

Initial Conversation

Of course, every seller has a different situation. The objective of our initial discussion is to ensure we have a good understanding of our client’s objectives. Questions we will ask may include:

  • How did you hear about us?
  • What are your objectives for the sale?
  • Do you have any needs or preferences regarding the timeframe for this sale?
  • Is it your intention to trade, upgrade, or sell the aircraft outright?
  • What are your financial expectations or needs for this sale?

Aircraft Questionnaire

We work with you and your team to complete a detailed questionnaire that includes the following items to name a few:

  • Budget
  • Range requirement
  • Runways utilized
  • Luggage requirements
  • Aircraft equipment
  • Aircraft maintenance cycles and history
  • Aircraft engine status
  • Damage history of records
  • Completeness of records
  • Inspection status
  • Ownership history
  • Regions of operations
  • Passenger requirements
  • STCs (FAA Supplemental Type Certificates, for any modifications)
  • 337s (FAA Form 337 – Major Repair & Alteration Documents)

Every transaction involves balancing certain priorities. As an example, if a sale must take place quickly, that reduces our negotiation options for obtaining the best price.

Our philosophy is that aircraft sales is more about people, priorities, and great communication than it is about airplanes!   It is only by taking the time to clearly understand our clients priorities that we can obtain the best results and their continued loyalty and referrals.

Investing the time at the beginning of this conversation saves us, our clients, and others in the industry significant time and frustration in the long run!

On-Site Visit

While many aircraft sales professionals do most of the work “virtually,” DJI is committed to doing business in person. (Read more in this article.) Brad Harris, Shawn Dinning or Ralph Crosby visit every single airplane that we represent.

Our commitment to doing business in person is an important part of our reputation in the field. We have a more complete picture of the entire situation, and we can talk to prospective buyers and other professionals involved in the transaction from personal experience. We can speak from the position of having seen the airplane and verified all of the facts personally.

Research

In addition to seeing the aircraft personally, we also verify all of the facts, collect reports using several proprietary subscriptions, and use our experience from the hundreds of aircraft we have personally inspected, flown and sold over our many years of experience.

What’s Next

DJI creates a world-class marketing package, including a very specific procedure for setting the best price and acquiring profession photographs that will be utilized and described in future articles.

Curious about how DJI’s thorough Due Diligence process might make a significant difference to your situation? Give us a call at 815-520-4009 and let’s talk about it!

 

 

Aircraft Title Insurance – Worth the Investment?

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By Brad Harris

One question that comes up in our purchase process is this – “Should we get title insurance on the aircraft?”

Most people are familiar with title insurance from buying or selling a home or commercial property.

Unlike real estate lenders, most aircraft lenders don’t require title insurance, so airplane buyers rarely even know about it, let alone purchase it. That can be a big mistake.

Jeff Weiand,
AIN Online, The Case for Aircraft Title Insurance Seems Compelling, October 2013

 While more common for turboprop aircraft like the King Air or Cheyenne, title insurance is much less common for jet aircraft. In fact, only about five percent of turbine aircraft are covered by title insurance.

There are two reasons for this:

  • The cost of title insurance is based on the aircraft’s “book value.” Ten percent of the cost of a jet can be substantially more than ten percent of the cost of a turboprop aircraft, particularly an older one.
  • Jets tend to have a shorter list of previous owners. Turboprops, the workhorses of the aviation world, can have very long service lives and a long string of owners.

As the economy has changed, however, it’s become more common for even high-end jets to have longer service lives and a longer list of previous owners. So in some cases, title insurance is becoming a more attractive option.

Many of the reputable aircraft sellers who provide great support for buyers will make no guarantee of clear ownership outside the “term” of their own ownership. They may not be aware of liens or complications from previous owners.

Consider this example, a jet that had been owned by several owners including Wells Fargo, a finance investor in the UK, CVS, and Office Depot.

The new buyer might discover that a tax lien had been placed on the aircraft in the UK. This out-of-country lien would not have been filed with the FAA, and therefore escaped notice through several transactions in the United States.

However unlikely this scenario might be, the probabilities are of little comfort when they affect you directly!


Note:   Title Insurance Is Not Obtainable for Every Aircraft.

DJI recently had a client consider a Citation XLS+ that had a previous owner located in Mexico. The title insurance company did not consider it an acceptable risk and declined to insure it.

Our client declined to purchase the airplane.

 

Aircraft Title Insurance – Decision Factors

 

Title insurance

Some of the factors that add into the decision to purchase (or require) title insurance are these:

  • Does the aircraft have multiple previous owners?
  • Has it ever been registered outside the U.S?
  • Are any of the previous owners no longer in existence, not public, or have a history of bankruptcy or other issues?
  • Do you have any reason to suspect tax or mechanic liens?

Each “yes” answer makes title insurance a more important consideration in the transaction.

If you’ve made a decision that aviation title insurance is required, who should purchase the policy?

Technically, it does not matter. Title insurance covers the aircraft, not any particular owner. Any affected party can use the aircraft title insurance policy binder number and the insurance would cover any claim specified by the terms of the policy.

That said, if there is a lender involved in the transaction, the buyer is typically required to pay for title insurance.

Of course, title insurance is only one of a great many factors in a successful aircraft transaction. DJI’s detailed process, experience and relationships are key to ensuring a good experience with no surprises for our clients.

 

The Escrow Process– A Vital Step in the Aircraft Sales (or Purchase) Process

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By Brad Harris

One commonly misunderstood point in the aircraft sale (or purchase) process is the escrow process.

When we are working with a buyer or a seller, we work with a reputable escrow company. Some escrow companies specialize in a particular type of transaction. (Some specialize in international transactions, for example.)

The role of the escrow company is to act as a neutral third party in the transaction.

The following diagram is a simplified overview of the process.  Let’s discuss the following chart below of functions the escrow company performs.

 Escrow Process

 

 

Entering into an Escrow Agreement

 

After the buyer and seller have come to a general agreement and the buyer has submitted a “letter of intent” and the Seller has excepted the LOI, the next step in the process is to “escrow” refundable deposit funds.

The buyer submits the funds required for the transaction, or at least a deposit (as agreed by both parties.)  Both parties must also agree on a checklist of items that need to be satisfied for a successful transaction, as well as an agreement of what should happen if any items are not completed successfully. (For example, if an item is discovered in the inspection process that renders the airplane unacceptable to the buyer.)

It is vitally important to have a detailed agreement about the escrow process, (even down to the details of the order in which steps are to occur) so that there are no surprises during the closing.

The Closing Conference Call

Once the inspection process is complete and all documentation has been processed and verified, the airplane is flown to the agreed-on delivery location.  We purchase fuel to formally acknowledge the closing location of the transaction.

Then all parties meet via conference call with the escrow representative.

A very specific checklist of events is accomplished during the conference call, culminating in the release of the closing documents to the buyer and the release of the funds to the seller.

As an example, a representative in the Public Documents room at the FAA will call in to report the filing time was for example 2:35PM Central Time.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

In one case, we had everything completed, every box was checked, the airplane was “squawk-free” and delivered to Wichita, Kansas for closing, when one item of contention nearly terminated the transaction.

The seller declared that would not release the closing documents until the funds had been received.

Customarily, the documents are released upon receipt and verification of a FED reference number that indicates that a wire has been sent.

The seller did not agree to this – he told his broker to “crank the airplane up and bring it back to Michigan.”

It took several tense phone calls to work out a detailed process to release the FAA Bill of Sale upon receipt of a wire transfer federal reference number by the Seller resulting in the Seller authorizing the escrow agent to file the FAA Bill of Sale and other documents necessary for closing.

Success Factors

  • An experienced representative can spot “red flags” early and avoid or prevent expensive, time-consuming problems and errors.
  • An Aircraft Broker who is well-known and trusted by many of the parties in the transaction (inspectors, FAA officers, escrow, insurance and legal professionals, as well as other brokers) has the opportunity to suggest creative solutions to resolve any difficulties that arise.
  • Detailed agreements outline expectations to everyone’s satisfaction so there are no surprises in the process.
  • An experienced escrow professional and a reputable escrow company make the process more comfortable.

At DJI, we take our fiduciary responsibility to represent your interests very seriously. We have long-standing, trusted relationships with escrow companies and legal professionals. We understand how to ensure all requirements are met and there are no surprises for any of the parties in the process.

 

The Purchase Process – Why a Test Flight AND an Acceptance Flight?

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By Brad Harris

The aircraft purchase process is necessarily complex.

When you’re buying a home or a commercial property, you probably visit the property on more than one occasion, usually accompanied by different experts that have different perspectives and priorities.

For the same reason, DJI includes two flights in the process when we represent a client purchasing an aircraft. Each flight is to achieve different objectives.

Here’s an outline of DJI’s priorities and purposes for the two flights:

The aircraft purchase process - why two test flights?

The Test Flight

After we’ve located an aircraft for a client, part of our process includes an evaluation of the aircraft on the ground.  If the evaluation meets or exceeds DJI’s standards and the client’s expectations; and if all parties agree to the terms, we fly the aircraft to a reputable inspection facility.

During this flight, we test all aircraft systems looking for any abnormal indications. These need to be emphasized in the inspection process.  If there are discrepancies noted on the flight, we write them up with the Prebuy inspection facility as incoming discrepancies.

Technical Acceptance

We perform a thorough ground check to ensure all inspection items have been resolved before the aircraft is returned to service.

Aircraft repair is not always as simple as it appears. Aircraft are composed of many complex systems. Even the most experienced OEM or Service Centers may not be completely sure they have addressed the root cause of a problem (or “squawk”) in the inspection process until it is thoroughly retested. DJI’s process ensures that we have several experts involved in the repair and check process.

The Acceptance Flight

Of course, there are some items that can only be that tested when the aircraft is in flight.

As an example – one of the items on the inspection “squawk list” may be that the flaps don’t function properly. The mechanic discovers and fixes a problem with the flap synchronization switch.  Now the flaps are functioning properly on the ground.  However, when you go on the acceptance flight, the airflow inflight causes the problem to re-occur and therefore additional adjustments need to be made.

In addition, an inspection list may include a number of “squawks” that could be interrelated.  Repairing or replacing one item may solve more than one problem, or it may have a different cause.

We prefer to have different pilots fly the aircraft on the Acceptance Flight.  We typically will look for test pilots that have worked for the Manufacturer of the Aircraft and use them when able.

Why not use the same flight crew?

Pilots process a huge amount of information when they operate an aircraft.

Experienced and attentive pilots tend to “learn” the personality of a particular aircraft and may become comfortable with idiosyncratic behavior, even after a single flight. Anything that has been experienced more than once seems more “normal” and less noteworthy.

Different pilots bring a fresh perspective to the aircraft, and are more likely to notice and report the anomaly.

Upon successful completion of the acceptance flight, DJI is more comfortable stating that all of the inspection items have been resolved and the transaction can proceed to closing.

The acceptance flight can also deliver the aircraft to a location convenient for the client to close and take delivery of the aircraft.  We work with our clients carefully to determine the best location for delivery, and we always purchase fuel at that location and add the receipt to the closing documentation package for the aircraft.

DJI takes our fiduciary responsibility very seriously.  This process, including two flights with different flight crews, is the best solution for ensuring that each transaction is successful.

 

The Reincarnation of a Fleet Business Jet

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We frequently mention that our relationships create unique opportunities for our clients.  The opportunity to acquire aircraft that are not officially “on the market” is one of those advantages.  This quick story of the reincarnation of a fleet business jet from a well-known jet company that became a treasured and highly customized private jet is an example of how that advantage can work for our clients.

We regularly purchase well-maintained, professionally flown aircraft from fleets such as NetJets for our clients.

NetJets prides itself on having a very large and very young charter fleet.

The current average age of charter aircraft in the U.S. is over 15 years, more than double the average age of the NetJets fleet. NetJets is taking delivery of hundreds of new NetJets Signature SeriesTM aircraft entering the fleet in the coming years. The deliveries span every cabin class and will enable NetJets to have the youngest fleet in the sky.

www.NetJets.com

A fleet business jet by Netjets can become an excellent personal aircraft

While these are often high-time aircraft, the aircraft sale price reflects that. This creates a unique opportunity for private owners to purchase “more plane” with their money.

The charter fleet décor is designed to be discreet and neutral. For our clients that want their aircraft to be a mobile office or apartment that reflects their branding and personality, we can arrange for interior, exterior and engine overhauls that create a very custom and beautiful airplane that meets a client’s specifications perfectly.

DJI’s relationships with NetJets, our import and export expertise (to acquire aircraft from any location in the world) and relationships with great companies that perform maintenance, paint, interior and avionic modifications and engine manufactures give us the depth and experience we need to make this a seamless and transparent process for our client.  Most of our clients that purchase a Netjet aircraft will perform new paint, interior and engine overhauls.  Many of our partners, including NetJets, are fellow NARA (National Aircraft Resale Association) members.  Our clients, therefore, receive more options and value than they would without our network of resources.

Repeat business is the best indicator of success.  We have completed this process for several clients over the years, and we’re working with one client again to acquire another “custom NetJets” airplane.

This opportunity is best for a person or business that has cash available to purchase and customize an aircraft.

Give us a call today at 817-520-4009 and let’s talk about your situation.

NARA Chairman Comments on Current Aircraft Market and NARA Initiatives

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NARA Chairman Brad HarrisNote – This article originally appeared in the Fall, 2013 issue of JSSI Airways Magazine.

Brad Harris, CEO, Dallas Jet International; Chairman, National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA).

The market is heating up. My evidence? This past summer was the best Dallas Jet International has had in our 15 years. While some aircraft brokers and dealers find business to be slow, conversations with my colleagues indicate that we’re not alone – brokers in the larger, “main street” firms are again seeing record levels of activity.

Now, my optimism is tempered somewhat by declining prices and an oversupply of some aircraft, particularly the older legacy planes.

The most improvement has been in the sales of larger, newer aircraft. Fractional aircraft organizations and Fortune 200 companies historically upgrade their fleets every three to five years. Those hesitant to upgrade during the last three years are now acquiring additional aircraft or replacing their fleets.

Smaller companies and wealthy individuals also are upgrading to newer, larger-cabin aircraft. Many are still holding onto their cash, financing is still conservative but available. But the continuing need for fast, reliable transportation is prompting investment in business jets.

There remains an oversupply of 10- to 20-year-old aircraft forcing prices down. For that reason, I don’t expect any stabilization or improvement in this market sector until after this glut is absorbed. Demand (and prices) for aircraft more than 20 years old continues to decline. The market still is shrinking for midsize and smaller jets due in part to oversupply and difficulties financing older aircraft.

Interestingly, for industry-watchers who expected growth to come from overseas markets, recovery seems to be driven by activity in the United States. While Dallas Jet International does business internationally, US-based transactions have dominated our activity in recent months.

Europe is still stagnant, India is down, Russia is starting to come back, Asia was on fire but has slowed, the Middle East is starting to rebound, but we’re seeing a recovery driven by the US market. Approximately 80% of our recent business is domestic. The aircraft market follows the stock market by about six months, so we will see if the momentum continues. As the market absorbs oversupply, we may see continued improvement through yearend. The outlook is very good!

2013 NARA Initiatives

The National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA) is dedicated to turbine aircraft brokers, dealers and support service providers. Harris and the Board of Directors have outlined several major initiatives to assist Members and to improve the organization and the aviation industry:

A New Certification Program

NARA Certification will include adherence to a stringent code of ethics and a program of continuing education, as well as a documentation standard so that every purchase agreement or letter of intent complies with stringent requirements. Members seeking certification will need to be sponsored by three members and approved by their fellow broker/dealers as a Certified Member of NARA.

New Associate Membership Benefits

For the first time during our Spring Meeting, NARA held an Associate Member Forum. Each Associate Member was able to set up a booth. Brokers/dealers could visit each and get better acquainted with Associate Member services. The intent was to provide better communication with this key segment of the NARA Membership.

A New Scholarship Program

NARA has created an annual scholarship program for students studying Corporate Aviation Management, Aerodynamics, Aircraft Systems, Aviation Safety, Finance, Business Marketing, Economics and/or studies that relate to Aviation Business or Management in approved college or university programs. NARA will announce the scholarship program at the 2013 NBAA Annual Convention in Las Vegas.

New Branding and Website

To better accomplish and communicate these and other objectives for our members and the public, NARA has commissioned a reworking of our identity, including a new website, marketing materials, blog articles, search engine optimization, unveiled at the 2013 NBAA Annual Convention.

Standardized Documents

To assure consistency, we have created standardized documents. The value of NARA is found in the collective, shared knowledge of our membership. The Board of Directors has compiled template agreements for aircraft acquisition, aircraft purchase, aircraft sales, aircraft listing, and letters of intent. These are designed to help Members with their various contracts and to serve as guides for navigating many of the tax, regulatory, and legal challenges faced in aircraft transactions today.

Harris says, “We’re very proud of these initiatives. We’ve listened to our Members and the public and we’re moving swiftly to improve the experience for NARA Brokers/Dealers and our Associate Members, and to help ensure that the public has a great experience when dealing with NARA Members.”

NARA – A New Perspective on Business Aviation

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Brad Harris, Founder and CEO of  Dallas Jet International is the Chairman of the National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA)

We’re republishing this article that originally appeared on NARA’s website to promote awareness of the association and its initiatives.

___________________________________

Welcome to the first edition of The NARA Perspective from the National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA). Twice monthly, we will share business aviation views and information of interest to aircraft buyers, sellers, owners and operators. The NARA Perspective will be written by industry insiders, journalists and other experts from across the spectrum of business aviation.

With this edition of The NARA Perspective, we would like to introduce you to some developments in ongoing efforts to protect the interests of business aircraft buyers, sellers, owners and operators.

Not just an aircraft broker, a NARA Certified Broker/Dealer
Perhaps the most significant news are the new standards for aircraft broker and dealer certification that were announced at NBAA2013, the National Business Aircraft Association’s annual meeting and convention.

Because there is no governing body to license or regulate aircraft brokers and dealers, anyone with an aircraft to sell and a desire to make money can call himself a broker. Prospective clients never know what they’re getting in the bargain. Their broker/dealer could be highly experienced and honest. Or he could be incompetent and even unscrupulous.

NARA Certification assures someone in the market to acquire or sell a previously owned business aircraft that they have found a qualified broker/dealer who will always look out for their best interests, treat them fairly and deliver the fastest transaction at the best possible price.

  • All prospective Certified Aircraft Brokers/Dealers must pass a rigorous application process, demonstrating their reputation for honesty, integrity, transparency, and a commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards.
  • Certified Aircraft Brokers/Dealers must strictly adhere to the NARA Code of Ethics that guarantees they will always conduct themselves honorably and represent the best interests of their clients.
  • They must participate in our program of ongoing education to remain current on best practices and new developments in order to constantly improve the quality of their services, products and operations.

NARA Certified Logo
Look for the NARA Certified logo when you search for an aircraft broker or dealer.
When you see this emblem on an aircraft broker or dealer’s website, you’ll know that they subscribe to the principles, rules and regulations of the National Aircraft Resale Association, ensuring that you are working with one of the most respected and highly experienced professionals in business aviation.

NARA Member Logo
NARA Products and Services Members.
In addition the  35 Certified Aircraft Brokers and Dealers, 39 business aircraft products and services providers promise the highest professional quality and best return on your business aviation investment through their adherence to the Code of Ethics.

These NARA Products and Services Members specialize in:

  • aircraft analysis and data
  • financing and leasing
  • hourly cost maintenance
  • insurance
  • IRS 1031 Like-Kind Exchange
  • legal, tax and title
  • maintenance, repair and overhaul
  • maintenance tracking software
  • training and publishing.

Find a NARA Member at NARAaircraft.com
Along with our new direction, we’re introducing a new website to make it easier for you to find a NARA Member: NARAaircraft.com. Just by using your computer or smartphone, you will instantly be able to find a NARA Certified Broker/Dealer or NARA Products and Services Member. You’ll also be able to read the NARA Code of Ethics and NARA Certification process in detail. You can read bios of NARA Member companies and keep up on all the latest news and events from the National Aircraft Resale Association.

Find a NARA Member today. And, while you’re at it, sign up to automatically receive The NARA Perspective in your inbox.

 

Aircraft Prices Still Declining Despite Uptick in Market

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aircraft price declines make used aircraft

Aircraft prices are still declining, making beautiful slightly used airplanes even more attractive.

By Brad Harris

Sales and listings are definitely picking up, but aircraft prices remain flat, or in the case of older aircraft, continue to decline.

Many brokers have seen an uptick in the number of transactions; indeed, Dallas Jet International (DJI) is finishing up its busiest summer ever in 15 years of doing business.

The typical lifecycle of a business jet is 3-5 years with its first owner, who will then likely upgrade to a newer or larger aircraft. Many corporate and charter fleets have reached the end of that cycle and those one-owner aircraft are back on the market, creating an excellent opportunity for second owners who want a nearly-new aircraft at a very attractive price.

While this is great news for buyers, it can mean that sellers, particularly of older aircraft, won’t be able to sell their aircraft at a price as high as they had hoped.

Mark Phelps of Flying Magazine describes the scenario – the more aircraft on the market, the lower prices dip.

The most recent numbers for used business jets show the total number for sale has stayed level over the past several years – around 2,500. There were 1,662 jets for sale in September 2007. Compared with the first quarter of last year, there has been a 4.2 percent decrease in the number of sales (transactions) for jets, and the average time on the market is 71 days longer, despite a 3.3 percent decrease in average asking price. Transactions for turboprops were down by 8.8 percent compared with Q1 last year, but average asking price is actually up by 18.7 percent.

Used Business Aircraft Are Still a Good Buy, Mark Phelps, Flying Magazine

In the last few years, older aircraft are typically sold in growing markets such as Latin America or Asia, or even Africa. But the market (especially for older aircraft) has been increasingly saturated as that pool of used aircraft becomes larger.

Another wrinkle impacting prices of 10-20 year old aircraft is the difficulty financing older aircraft. Many financial institutions use the “rule of 20” in financing aircraft.

Many (aircraft finance providers), after all, got third-degree burns from repossessed aircraft collateral or returned leased aircraft following the 2008 market debacle, and as a result many follow the so-called “rule of 20,” according to which the financed aircraft and the loan (or lease) term must both be less than 20 years. Why? So that if the lender has to repossess or otherwise comes to own the financed aircraft, it doesn’t have to go out in the market and try to sell a decades-old jet.

Business Jet Finance Report, James Wynbrandt, Business Jet Traveler

Many would-be buyers are out of the market if financing is unavailable. Many companies and individuals are still reluctant to part with cash. (See Despite Rosier U.S. View, Cautious CFOs Still Reluctant to Untie Purse Strings, Matt Egan, Fox Business)

We can’t expect stabilization or improvement in this sector of the market until after this oversupply is absorbed.

Our advice?

Now is an excellent time to purchase a slightly used aircraft. It may still not be the optimal time to sell; but give us a call at 817-520-4009 and let’s talk about your specific circumstances. The more we know about your situation, (and the further in advance we are aware of your needs) the better advice we can give.