Frequently Asked Questions?
How do you choose an aircraft to buy for your needs?
Start from two numbers: the length of your typical route and the number of passengers. Up to 1,000 km and 4 people — a turboprop or light jet; 2,000–4,000 km — a midsize jet; nonstop intercontinental — a long-range jet. Then adjust for short runways, baggage volume and sleeping berths. We'll match a model to your profile and calculate the ownership economics. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
New aircraft or pre-owned — which is the better buy?
A new aircraft means a factory warranty and a 1–3-year queue, but the price is at its peak. A pre-owned aircraft means immediate delivery and a price 30–60% lower, while engine time and history matter. For most buyers a fresh 3–7-year-old aircraft is optimal: the main depreciation has happened and plenty of life remains. We cost both options. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
Which aircraft class should you choose for your routes and passengers?
Turboprops — up to 1,500 km, 4–9 seats; light jets — up to 4,000 km; midsize — a stand-up cabin and 4–6 hours; super-midsize and large — 6,300–7,400 km, 8–12 people; long-range — up to 14,800 km nonstop. Helicopters cover door-to-door legs up to 800 km. We'll match the class to your task. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How much does it cost to own an aircraft per year?
The bulk of costs are fixed — hangar, crew, maintenance, insurance — and independent of hours flown. At 300–400 h/year a guide: turboprop $0.6–0.9M, light jet ~$1.6M, midsize $2–2.4M, large $2.8–3M, long-range $3.8–4.7M. We calculate the exact figure for a specific model and your hours. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
What drives the cost of a flight hour when you own an aircraft?
Three cost groups: direct (fuel, hourly reserves for engines and airframe), crew (salaries, training, hotels) and fixed (insurance, hangar, management), spread across hours flown. The more you fly, the lower the hour. A guide at 400 h/year runs from $1,500 on a turboprop to $10,000+ on a long-range jet. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
How well does an aircraft hold its value and what matters for resale?
Liquidity depends on the model, fleet size, engine time and interior freshness. High-volume models (Phenom 300, Challenger 650, PC-12, G650ER) hold value better and sell in 60–120 days. When buying, look at residual value and demand — it protects your investment. We'll advise which models are most liquid in your budget. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
Buy an aircraft, take fractional ownership or charter — which to choose?
A guide by hours: up to 150–200 hours a year, charter is cheaper; 200–300 — fractional ownership or a jet card; above 300–400 — full ownership, where the owned cost per hour drops below the charter rate. We cost all three scenarios against your real hours and route map. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
Can you offset the running costs of an aircraft you've bought?
Yes — through commercial management: when the aircraft is free from your own flights it runs charters and partly covers its costs. For a super-midsize with steady utilisation, 30–60% of fixed costs are offset, while priority stays with your personal flights. We'll model the ownership economics with and without charter. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.
