Understanding aircraft financing options allows you to plan your aircraft purchase effectively.
These are all factors in determining your acquisition budget. With 50+ banks and aviation-focused finance partners, The Aircraft Lenders offers competitive rates and terms for US-based aircraft buyers. We can usually give you a soft quote after an initial conversation and help you understand how your credit profile impacts your loan structure.
Whether you’re purchasing a piston airplane, turboprop, corporate jet, helicopter, or light sport model, we help you match the right lender to your ownership goals.
If you’re a first-time buyer, we’ll walk you through the application process, required document checklist, and what lenders look for in credit approval—without surprises.
Helpful note: Aircraft loans differ from real estate lending. They almost always require personal guarantees and complete financial packages, so the lender can do global underwriting.
If you own a business, current-year interim financial statements will also be required.
The specific aircraft and its mission, in addition to the strength of your financial package and documentation, will determine loan options.
In addition, all aircraft transactions involve third-party coordination (sellers, escrow, attorneys, appraisers, insurance).
We manage those moving pieces so your closing stays on track, including the administrative details that keep the process organized.
See the approval steps or get pre-approved to clarify your budget before you shop.
Your offer is built from a few key inputs: the aircraft, the structure, and your cash flow and financial profile. Lenders typically evaluate:
If you’re early in the process, start with a simple budget check using an aircraft loan calculator to estimate payments at a few different loan amounts and term lengths. Then we’ll validate what’s realistic for your situation and help you tighten your numbers.
Having a clean file speeds up underwriting. Most lenders will request some version of the following:
If you don’t have a specific tail number yet, that’s okay—start with your target aircraft category, budget, and timeline. We’ll help you narrow options and avoid common pitfalls.
We review your financials and goals and pre-underwrite to outline what funding you can expect to access, what terms are realistic, and which lenders are the best fit. This helps you shop smarter and negotiate from a stronger position.
We underwrite and package your file and present it to the most suitable lenders, highlighting strengths and clarifying any complexities (business structure, mission profile, specialized aircraft, or unusual ownership structures). This includes careful file management so nothing gets delayed in lender review.
50+ bank and aviation funding relationships to match the right structure.
Calls and emails answered quickly—especially when you’re under contract and deadlines matter.
Up-front transparency on rates, options, and potential fees.
0+ years supporting airplane loans, underwriting, and transaction management.
We also coordinate with acquisition agents, aviation tax advisors, attorneys, bankers, and certified appraisers so you’re supported from quote to closing—and beyond.
It depends on aircraft type, age, price point, and borrower profile, but 15% – 20% is typical. Business/charter missions often have higher down payment requirements than private use.
Often, yes. Some lenders are more conservative on age and certain aircraft categories, so lender selection matters. We place these requests with financing partners that understand the older-aircraft market.
Yes. Charter/commercial operations typically require additional review of the operating model, documentation, and risk profile compared to private use, and they often require higher down payments.
If your documents are ready, pre-approval can move quickly. Timing depends on complexity, responsiveness, and how fast the requested documents are delivered.
Two helpful references are the FAA Aircraft Registry for registration checks and IRS Publication 946 for depreciation guidance (talk with your tax advisor for your situation, or better yet ask us to connect you with an aviation tax planner). You should also consider whether your business aircraft may be able to qualify for Bonus Depreciation: Bonus Depreciation
