Buyer's Guide

How to Buy an Airplane

Buying an airplane runs nine steps: define the mission, set a budget that includes running costs, pick a model, find candidates, check that specific airframe's history, run a prebuy inspection, make an offer through escrow, bind insurance, and close. Expect two to six months. The prebuy is the step that protects you.

Reviewed August 2026

The nine steps

  1. 01Decide what you actually need
  2. 02Set a real budget
  3. 03Choose the right model
  4. 04Find and vet a listing
  5. 05Check the airplane's history
  6. 06The prebuy inspection
  7. 07Making an offer and escrow
  8. 08Insurance and closing
  9. 09Your first year of ownership

Going deeper

Not part of the nine steps — these apply to some buyers and not others.