At The Aircraft Lenders, we hear the same question from almost every buyer at the start of the process: “What do you actually need from me?”
Much of the friction in the financing process stems from the back-and-forth requests for documents that were omitted from the borrower’s initial submission package.
Below is everything we’ll ask for, broken into three buckets: the aircraft, you personally, and your business (if applicable). With aircraft financing, personal financials are always needed, even when applying for a business loan. Pull these together early, and we can move from application to closing without unnecessary delays.
The Full Checklist at a Glance
Print it, save it, check it off — however you like to work.
Click to Download Checklist | Click to Download App | Click to Download Biz Debt Schedule
| ✔ | Cat. | Document | Notes | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ■ | A/C | Spec sheet or listing | Target make/model if pre-approval | Verifies aircraft specifics and value |
| ■ | A/C | Purchase agreement | Submit once available | Defines buyer, seller, price and timeline |
| ■ | Pers. | Application Form & PFS | Fillable PDF provided | Personal info, mission, assets and debts |
| ■ | Pers. | Liquidity verification | Full statements only | Verifies down payment funds |
| ■ | Pers. | Federal tax returns | 2–3 years | Verifies income and cash flow |
| ■ | Pers. | W‑2s | 2–3 years if applicable | Income breakdown |
| ■ | Pers. | Prior year W‑2 | If applicable | Verifies ongoing income |
| ■ | Pers. | Recent paystub | All jobs | Verifies current employment |
| ■ | Pers. | Driver’s license | Color copy | Identity and address |
| ■ | Biz. | K‑1s | Businesses owned <20% | Ownership and distributions |
| ■ | Biz. | Business tax returns | 3 years | Business cash flow |
| ■ | Biz. | Prior-year financials | If return not filed | Prior-year cash flow |
| ■ | Biz. | Interim financials | Most recent quarter | Current P&L and liquidity |
| ■ | Biz. | Debt schedule | TAL form | Long-term liabilities |
| ■ | Biz. | Business bank statements | Recent statements | Cash on hand and reserves |
A Few Tips From Our Underwriting Desk
- Don’t wait for a perfect file. Start the application with what you have. Many of these documents can roll in over the first few days.
- Statements need to be complete. A screenshot of an account balance doesn’t give us what we need — we’re looking for the full statement, every page.
- If you’re not sure whether something applies to you, send it anyway. Or ask us. It’s easier to clarify upfront than to backtrack later.
Ready When You Are
Whether you’ve already got a tail number picked out or you’re still narrowing down what fits your mission and budget, The Aircraft Lenders is built to move at your pace. Gather what you can from the list above, and reach out — we’ll handle the rest. Contact: info@theaircraftlenders.com or call 862-277-5277 and we would be happy to chat with you and give you a soft quote.
Updated: June 23,2026
Author: Susan Weeden, Director, Aviation Finance, The Aircraft Lenders
