Aircraft Cessna 182T, 2003

Cessna (Textron Aviation) created the Citation, the best-selling business-jet family in the world: more than 8,000 built. The line is built as a ladder: the very light M2 Gen 2, light CJ3/CJ4 Gen 2, midsize XLS Gen 2, Ascend and Latitude, and super-midsize Longitude. The brand's philosophy is predictable economics, easy handling and the most developed service network in the industry. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

The Citation holds the record for fleet size, so support is easier than for any rival: Textron alone has over 40 authorised centres, and common parts are stocked in Europe and the Middle East. The Williams FJ44 and P&W 500-series engines run 3,500–5,000 hours between overhauls. CJ-series fleet dispatch reliability is steadily above 99.5%. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

Light CJs are among the most liquid jets: a ten-year-old CJ3+ sells for $6.5–8M against a new CJ3 Gen 2 at about $11.5M — losing well under half its value. Average exposure is 60–90 days. The quickest to sell have engines on the TAP programme and current Garmin G3000 avionics; jets with 'bare' engines are discounted $1–1.5M. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

An eternal light-class rivalry: Citation CJ4 Gen 2 versus Phenom 300E. The Phenom is faster (M0.80 versus M0.77) and more fashionable inside; the CJ4 carries more fuel and works more confidently off short strips. The Citation fleet is far larger — a plus for liquidity and parts availability. Ownership costs are comparable: ~$2.5–3M a year at 400 hours. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

Piston aircraft suit training, personal flights and short legs up to 1,000–1,900 km: the Cirrus SR22, Piper Archer and M350, Diamond DA40/DA62 and Cessna 172/182. They are cheaper per hour and clear short, unpaved strips, but trail turboprops on speed and altitude. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

A typical piston carries four passengers over 1,000–1,900 km at a 200–350 km/h cruise; six-seat types like the Piper M350 and Diamond DA62 reach 1,800–1,900 km. Real range depends on payload, winds and fuel reserves. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

A piston is cheaper to buy ($0.3–1.4M vs $2–7M) and to fly per hour, but slower (200–350 km/h vs 500–600) with a lower ceiling. A turboprop carries more and flies farther; a piston wins on short legs and training. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

A new piston runs $0.3–1.4M: the Piper Pilot 100i trainer from $0.33M, a Cirrus SR22 around $1M and the six-seat M350 at $1.4M. Used prices are lower; value depends on hours, engine life and avionics. Send us a request — we'll prepare options, calculate running costs and analyse the best fit for your task.

The standard path takes 6–10 weeks. Step 1: a letter of intent (LOI) with price and terms — 3–5 days. Step 2: a 5–10% deposit into escrow and signing of the purchase agreement. Step 3: a pre-purchase inspection — 1–3 weeks. Step 4: rectification of findings and price adjustment. Step 5: closing — simultaneous transfer of funds, title and risk, technical acceptance and ferry of the aircraft.

A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is an independent check at a certified centre: airframe, engines, corrosion, records and compliance with airworthiness directives. It takes from 3 days on a turboprop to 2–3 weeks on a heavy jet and costs $15–100K — paid by the buyer. By market practice the seller pays to rectify airworthiness-affecting defects. A seller refusing a PPI is grounds to walk away.