Frequently Asked Questions

Assessing Aircraft Damage History: FAA vs. PAAO Ratings

When evaluating the impact of previous damage events on an aircraft’s value, understanding where to start and how to base your assessment is crucial. As a seasoned Senior Certified Aircraft Appraiser with over 30 years of experience, I’ve encountered a range of approaches in the

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maintenance man inspecting airplane wing for damage.

Damage History – A Closer Look

When considering an aircraft for purchase, the easy thing to do is just avoid those with any damage history.  This is an easy choice to make but would you really reject a perfectly good aircraft that had everything you were looking for – and more,

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Should an Aircraft Appraisal be Accurate?

Before getting too far into this topic, credit needs to be given to Tim Andersen of The Appraiser’s Advocate who released a podcast on this topic albeit more directed at real property appraisals versus aircraft appraisals. In the past, Tm has instructed aircraft appraisers on

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Aircraft Appraisals 101 (Updated January 2020)

Aircraft Appraisal 101 A version of this article was written by Mike Simmons, President of Plane Data, Inc. and originally published in the January 2016 edition of The Aviation Consumer. Since that time, the NAAA ceased operations in late 2018. A new aircraft appraisal began operations

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Red, black and white private jet.

How to Determine a Fair Price for Your Aircraft?

This article was written by Mike Simmons, President of Plane Data, Inc. and originally published in the February 2002 edition of The Aviation Consumer. Setting the right price for a used aircraft can be complex and often debated among enthusiasts. Whether you’re selling, buying, or evaluating

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insurance policy document with a survey and a pair of black rim glasses on a table

Are There Dangers in Over-Insuring an Aircraft?

If you’ve ever experienced physical damage to your automobile, chances are you’ve experienced firsthand how auto policies are handled. These policies are generally written on an Actual Cash Value basis in which the payment made in the event of a total loss is adjusted for

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How to Determine an Aircraft’s Market Value?

One of the most overlooked and misunderstood attributes in the purchase of an aircraft is its “market value” which may be very different from the negotiated price. This issue usually arises because of problems that have not been revealed or otherwise considered. Generally, buyers would

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