Anyone can call themselves an aircraft appraiser. There’s no license required, no minimum training, and no regulatory body that stops an unqualified person from putting a number on your aircraft. That’s not a knock on the industry — it’s just the reality, and it’s exactly why knowing what to look for before you hire someone matters as much as the appraisal itself.
I’ve spent over 30 years doing this work, and I’ve seen firsthand what separates a credible appraisal from a guess with a signature on it. Here’s what to actually check.
1. Certification — and Which One
Look for a certification from a recognized aircraft appraisal organization, not a general real estate or personal property appraiser credential. The Professional Aircraft Appraisal Organization (PAAO) is the leading certifying body specific to aircraft, and PAAO Certified Appraisal reports that meet USPAP reporting standards are accepted by the IRS, U.S. Customs Service, and other state and federal agencies because of their reputation for detail and accuracy. Ask directly: “What certification do you hold, and who issued it?” A vague answer is a red flag.
2. Does the Appraiser Actually See the Aircraft?
This is the single biggest differentiator in the industry. A desktop appraisal is built entirely from data someone else supplies — often the seller, a broker, or a dealer with a direct financial interest in the number. An in-person appraisal means a trained professional physically inspects the airframe, verifies the logbooks against the actual aircraft, and documents what’s really there. Ask: “Will you physically inspect this aircraft, or is this a desktop report?” If the answer is desktop, understand you’re getting a market analysis, not a true appraisal — and that distinction matters if the report is ever challenged by a bank, an insurer, or opposing counsel in litigation.
3. How They Handle Damage History and Missing Records
Ask a candidate appraiser directly: “How do you evaluate damage history?” A qualified appraiser will explain that the impact depends on the extent of the damage and how well it was documented and repaired — not give you a blanket “damage always kills value” or “damage never matters” answer. The same goes for missing logbooks. A missing record covering a small window is a different problem than a gap covering a third of the aircraft’s life, and an experienced appraiser should be able to explain how that distinction changes their approach.
4. Independence From the Transaction
Ask how the appraiser is paid. If their fee is a percentage of a sale or loan amount, their incentive is tied to the deal closing — not to giving you an unbiased number. A fee based on the aircraft and scope of work, independent of the transaction outcome, is a much stronger signal of an objective opinion of value.
5. Experience With Your Specific Situation
An appraisal for financing, one for a divorce settlement, and one for litigation all carry different requirements for documentation and defensibility. Ask whether the appraiser has direct experience with your specific use case — bank underwriting, insurance claims, or court testimony — and ask for a sample report so you can see the level of detail and the stated Scope of Work before you commit.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
- What certification do you hold, and who issued it?
- Will you physically inspect the aircraft, or is this a desktop report?
- How do you evaluate damage history and incomplete logbooks?
- How is your fee structured — is it tied to the transaction outcome?
- Can I see a sample report?
- Do you have experience with appraisals used for financing, litigation, insurance claims, or estate matters?
The Bottom Line
The cheapest appraisal is rarely the best one, and in an unregulated industry, credentials and methodology matter more than price. A field-verified report from a certified appraiser costs more upfront than a desktop estimate — but it’s the difference between a number you can defend and one that falls apart the moment someone asks a hard question. If you’d like to see exactly what a credible, field-verified appraisal report looks like, request a sample report or get a quote for your specific aircraft.