The short answer
Buying a private jet starts with defining the mission: typical routes, passengers and how often you fly. From there an adviser searches the market, the buyer makes an offer subject to inspection, and a pre-purchase inspection and records review follow before closing, registration and delivery. Independent technical, legal and tax advice is essential.
Key takeaways
- Define the mission before shortlisting aircraft.
- Records and maintenance status strongly affect value.
- Offers are typically subject to inspection.
- Registration, ownership structure and tax need specialist advice.
- Budget for ongoing costs, not just the purchase price.
1. Mission and budget
Typical routes, passengers, range, cabin and the total budget including running costs.
2. Market search
On-market and off-market aircraft are reviewed against the mission, with attention to age, hours, maintenance programmes and history.
3. Offer and deposit
An offer, often with a deposit held in escrow, is typically conditional on inspection and records review.
4. Pre-purchase inspection
An independent facility inspects the aircraft. Findings may lead to repairs or renegotiation.
5. Closing and delivery
Funds, title transfer, registration and delivery are coordinated with legal and tax advisers.
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