Aircraft appraisal services specialize in airplane valuation. Aircraft appraisers inspect aircraft for damage and wear and then combine that information with market values to arrive at an appraisal of the aircraft's value. Aircraft appraisal information will details about the airframe, engine, past maintenance, damage history and near-future aircraft maintenance requirements.

A good commercial aircraft appraisal service will appraise used airplanes for a buyer, a seller, or a third party. Planes used for business purposes need to have stellar maintenance records and an aircraft appraiser knows how to tell how accurate those records are. Invest some time in finding a commercial aircraft appraisal service by asking the following questions before you hire a company.

1. What should the aircraft be worth?

2. Why do you need an aircraft appraisal?

3. What type of aircraft appraisal report do you need?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a rough idea of the airplane valuation

Before you get an aircraft appraisal, get a general idea of the aircraft's value. Commercial aircraft appraisal services employ appraisers with aircraft appraisal training. These appraisers perform an in-depth appraisal of aircraft. Make sure the aircraft you're looking at isn't overpriced or overvalued before you pay for aircraft appraisal information.

I recommend: Penton Media, Inc. publishes an online bluebook listing the valuation of airplanes. For a quicker look at market prices, Aircraft Shopper Online lists prices of used aircraft for sale.

Find an aircraft appraisal service

Aircraft appraisals have different purposes depending on your business. Buyers and sellers find out the fair market value of an aircraft, while a bank uses valuation of airplanes as documented proof of their investment. Insurance companies base their coverage on the aircraft appraisal.

I recommend: If you're the buyer, the NAAA (National Aircraft Appraisers Association) can put you in direct contact with a buyer's agent who works with you through the entire process of buying an aircraft. Landings.com lists aircraft appraisal services that work for sellers, banks, insurance companies and lawyers as well as buyers.

Decide what sort of aircraft appraisal you want from the aircraft appraisal service

You can get a market analysis report, a certified aircraft appraisal report or a prepurchase inspection report. Prepurchase inspection reports cost more than certified aircraft appraisal reports but also represent the most thorough aircraft appraisal.

I recommend: Aeroprice.com lists facilities in every state that offer prepurchase commercial aircraft appraisal services. Global Aviation Navigator, Inc. offers a list of airplane valuation services. Some of these services offer market analysis reports, some offer certified aircraft appraisal reports and others offer prepurchase inspections.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Aircraft appraisals carry a heavy percentage of weight when financing, so don't hire the first company you find. Visit a local airport and ask the commercial aircraft owners who they used to appraise their aircraft.