What’s the difference between a Plane Data appraisal and a desktop appraisal?

Exceptional situations aside, every signed aircraft appraisal report means that a trained, experienced aviation professional went into the field to physically look at the aircraft, inventoried the equipment and records plus reviewed all log books to validate the basic information needed to form a reliable opinion of value – and this is clearly stated in the report itself along with the Scope of Work. Information obtained from the field visit may or may not agree with the sales data sheet or whatever a 3 rd party provides but this is why the field visit is critical to the final opinion of value. Desktop reporting involves no field visits of course and uses unverified/unvalidated data from 3 rd parties who, in many cases, have a vested interest in the final opinion of value. The desktop appraisal is certainly cheaper! In person appraisals such as those provided by Plane Data, Inc. are only suitable for companies and individuals who want factual information that is credible and reliable.

When should you hire an aircraft appraiser?

If the objective is to obtain a credible, reliable opinion of value based on field research and factual data, then you want to hire an appraiser before negotiating the price or seeking financing. Hiring the appraiser later in the process could be costly due to their findings from the field research revealing information that may have impacted your initial purchase decision or terms of the Purchase Agreement. Many clients use the appraisal report to negotiate a better and more realistic price and terms.

Aircraft Appraisal — Frequently Asked Questions

What are the PAAO Best Practices and Why are They Important?

March 16, 2020 No Comments

The aircraft appraisal industry is largely unregulated, which creates some very serious issues when it comes time to appraise an aircraft. Technically, anybody with a pulse, a pen, and a piece of paper can appraise an aircraft – even without ever seeing the aircraft or

Close-up of a business jet engine nacelle on the ramp

Aircraft Appraisals 101 (Updated January 2020)

March 5, 2019 No Comments

Aircraft Market Value: Why Price Publications Get It Wrong 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.

Aviator's flying log book with leather gloves and sunglasses

Are Damage History and Missing Log Books Serious Concerns when Appraising an Aircraft?

March 5, 2019 No Comments

If evaluating any aircraft was simply a matter of utilizing key numerical data about the subject aircraft, then arriving at a final value would involve little more than grinding through a formula. However, the average age of the General Aviation fleet is about 35 –

How to Determine a Fair Price for Your Aircraft?

March 5, 2019 No Comments

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

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

Are There Dangers in Over-Insuring an Aircraft?

March 5, 2019 No Comments

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

Instrument panel and cockpit of a single-engine piston airplane

How to Determine an Aircraft’s Market Value?

March 5, 2019 1 Comment

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

loan application with approved stamp in red

How Important is Proper Documentation When Financing an Aircraft?

March 5, 2019 No Comments

Occasionally when I perform an appraisal for a bank, the current owner or perspective buyer wants to hang around to see what is involved in an aircraft appraisal. Normally, this is not a problem and they can provide some useful information if questions come up.

private plane landing at night at an airfield

What should you know before hiring an aircraft appraiser?

March 4, 2019 No Comments

One of the factors which impacted both the S&L collapse of the ’80s and the real estate crisis early in the 21st century was artificially inflated evaluation reports from supposedly professional real estate appraisers. Aircraft financing has been impacted just as seriously even though this