You’ll find that in today’s market it is possible to buy a Gulfstream III for under three million. Buying an older airplane sounds really attractive, until you learn that your first major inspection is going to cost you $500,000 to $1 million; whereas a newer Gulfstream IV will have a purchase price of seven million but your first major inspection might only cost $250,000. (These numbers are estimates only. They can and will vary).
As a rule, older aircraft have more expensive inspection requirements. Newer aircraft cost more initially in purchase price but are less expensive to keep and to fly.
Buying an Older Airplane Is Not Always a Bargain
We’re certainly not “anti-old airplane,” because in some cases these can represent a really great value. There might be five Gulfstream IVs on the market today that have dropped below the unthinkable price of $7 million, , but four out of the five aircraft will have underlying drawbacks that could cost the new owner significant amounts of money in either maintenance or lost residual value when the airplane sells
One of our jobs is to help you balance current value with future burden. It can make sense to buy an older aircraft with higher operating costs. You have to do the math, and really project into the future to determine what inspections may become a liability and how your utilization of the airplane overlaps those milestone inspections. Dallas Jet International’s leadership and technical consulting staff are all highly trained and experienced in mitigating these risks for purchasers of older aircraft. Make no mistake, the older aircraft, if they are quality, can be some of the best deals in the global marketplace.
If you are considering the purchase of an older pre-owned aircraft, it can be a great deal for you. Prices on older but quality pre-owned aircraft are at historic lows. However, don’t go it alone. With representation from a firm like Dallas Jet International that possesses sound guidance, technical oversight, and negotiating experience, you will ensure that you are not making a multi-million dollar buying blunder.
Shawn Dinning, Director of Sales & Acquisitions
Mr. Dinning acquired his formal education at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the areas of Operations Research and Management Science and also holds a degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Mr. Dinning brings 16 years of aviation experience from a variety of aviation disciplines, including FAR 91, FAR 121, FAR 135, defense, and shared ownership sectors. A former full-time professional pilot, Mr. Dinning holds a current Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, and is type-rated in the Gulfstream V/G550/G500/G450/G400/G350/G300, Bombardier CRJ-200, and Citation 510 Mustang. He has logged over 5500 flight hours, with 3500 of those hours in corporate turbine aircraft. Mr. Dinning has been consulted in publications such as Business & Commercial Aviation on various issues related to turbine aircraft transactions.
Mr. Dinning brings to Dallas Jet International a rare and highly valuable skill set of operational and business acumen, and has become a leader in the professional marketing and procurement of corporate turbine aircraft all around the globe. He also specializes in aircraft mission analysis, aircraft valuation, and cash flow and operating cost analysis for private aircraft owners. Mr. Dinning has a track record of successful transactions that is well known amongst his clients and colleagues. His reputation for intelligent and meticulous management of aircraft transactions have made him one of the most respected aircraft brokers in the industry.
