Aircraft Sales Insights

By Shawn Dinning, Dallas Jet International (DJI)

The vast majority of companies using business aviation–85%–are small and mid-size businesses and other entities, including nonprofit organizations. For every Fortune 500 company that relies on business aviation, there are several small businesses that also need their airplane. Our typical client range includes companies with revenues of $20 million annually up to over a billion, but some individuals and companies have far less than that.  The notion that only publicly traded companies own airplanes is very much a myth.  In some ways, owning an aircraft provides smaller companies more of a competitive advantage than the larger companies. They are differentiating themselves from their competitors by providing faster and more personalized service to their customers. Companies that own a private aircraft are more nimble, more responsive, and better able to take advantage of opportunities and respond to risks by ensuring their people are where they need to be, when they need to be there.  Studies show business use of general aviation adds value to a company’s bottom line.

But, let me change gears and caution prospective aircraft owners.  I see many companies and organizations realize the benefits of business aviation, at which point they become highly motivated to purchase a private aircraft.  While this is a successful revelation in every sense, I have seen these same individuals, companies, and organizations act in haste and become embroiled in a less-than-ideal ownership situation.  Examples of this scenario include acquisition of the wrong type of aircraft, purchasing an aircraft with poor pedigree and maintenance history, or having paid entirely too much for the aircraft.  In the aircraft business, whether you buy new or pre-owned, a seven figure blunder can happen in the blink of an eye.

Dallas Jet International is your partner in aircraft research, acquisition and all components of aircraft transactions.  We will help you acquire an aircraft that meets your travel requirements cost-effectively. We help you balance the initial investment with operating costs. We also provide options for reducing your cost, such as remote management and staffing using our alliances with major providers of those services.  Contact us to find out how we can assist with your situation.

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.