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Why Hire a Broker To Buy or Sell an Airplane?

When it comes to a jet, a whole team of outside professionals will typically be involved in the sales transaction to ensure the process goes smoothly. istock/Sierrarat
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Professional aircraft brokers are essential for complex transactions, offering invaluable expertise in market valuation (which is not public), identifying hidden pitfalls and costs, negotiating favorable terms, and leveraging extensive industry networks for efficient deals.
  • Hiring a dedicated broker is generally preferable to using a pilot or management company due to their specialized sales experience, deep market knowledge, and absence of potential conflicts of interest.
  • When selecting a broker, it's crucial to inquire about their marketing strategy, fee structure, typical sales duration, level of in-person involvement, discretion, industry relationships, specialization in aircraft types, global reach, and their methodology for accurately valuing an aircraft.
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There’s no recognized certification for aircraft sales brokers, so why hire one in the first place? In fact, there aren’t even certifications or regulations providing consumer protections for aircraft buyers outside of the Universal Commercial Codes and import/export requirements of individual countries. Most aircraft buyers, it is assumed, are sophisticated enough to look out for themselves. However, a good broker can help in an aircraft transaction in a myriad of ways. The trick is finding the right professional to help your transaction go smoothly. We’ll focus on how to select a good one in a moment, but first let’s discuss the role of a broker.

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