How many hours is too many on a used jet?

There is no single limit. Hours matter less than how they were flown and how the aircraft was maintained. A jet that flew regularly with complete records is often a better buy than a low hour aircraft that sat in a hangar for years.

What is an engine programme and why does it matter?

An hourly contract that pays for engine overhauls. An enrolled aircraft passes the cover to the buyer; one that is not leaves the next overhaul, often seven figures, to whoever owns it then. It is one of the largest single factors in the value of a used jet.

Should a used jet be inspected before purchase?

Always. A pre-purchase inspection at an independent shop chosen by the buyer is the only moment somebody opens the aircraft on your behalf. Budget one to three per cent of the price for the inspection and the corrections that follow.

Buying a used private jet: what to check

Why buy a used private jet

A business jet loses value fastest in its first years. Buying used lets somebody else absorb that loss, and the aircraft flies exactly the same mission.

Our model has a typical jet keeping about 60 per cent of its new price at ten years with an engine programme in place. That average hides a wide spread: two aircraft of the same type and year can be worth very different sums.

Hours, cycles and how the aircraft was used

Airframe hours say how much the aircraft has flown, cycles how many times it has taken off and landed. Short legs add cycles quickly, and some inspections fall due on cycles rather than hours.

An aircraft that flew regularly is often in better condition than one parked for long periods. Corrosion, seals and batteries suffer more from standing still than from flying.

The engine programme

Engines are the most expensive components on the aircraft, and their overhaul is the largest bill an owner faces. An hourly programme spreads that cost and passes to the next owner.

Check that the programme is current, that it transfers on sale, and exactly what it covers. An aircraft without one should be priced with the next overhaul deducted.

On a used jet, the state of the engine programme can move the price more than the year of manufacture.

Inspections, avionics and records

Find out when the next heavy inspection is due and what it is likely to cost. An aircraft just out of a major check is worth more than one about to go in.

Avionics must meet the airspace mandates where you will fly. Upgrading an older aircraft can cost a significant share of its value.

The logbooks are the aircraft. Missing records, gaps in the history or unclear damage reports cut the value and make resale harder. Read them for what is missing, not only for what is there.

How to price a used jet

Start from the market range for the type and year, then adjust for hours, engine programme, inspection status, avionics, interior and history. Our price page gives the range for every model, and the valuation page applies each factor to a specific aircraft.

Ask the seller for the maintenance forecast covering the next five years. It often says more about the real cost of the aircraft than the asking price does.

所有私人飞机价格

常见问题

How much cheaper is a used private jet?: Our model has a business jet losing 5 to 10 per cent of its value in its first year and keeping about 60 per cent of its new price at ten years with an engine programme in place. Condition and history move a specific aircraft a long way from that average.
How many hours is too many on a used jet?: There is no single limit. Hours matter less than how they were flown and how the aircraft was maintained. A jet that flew regularly with complete records is often a better buy than a low hour aircraft that sat in a hangar for years.
What is an engine programme and why does it matter?: An hourly contract that pays for engine overhauls. An enrolled aircraft passes the cover to the buyer; one that is not leaves the next overhaul, often seven figures, to whoever owns it then. It is one of the largest single factors in the value of a used jet.
Should a used jet be inspected before purchase?: Always. A pre-purchase inspection at an independent shop chosen by the buyer is the only moment somebody opens the aircraft on your behalf. Budget one to three per cent of the price for the inspection and the corrections that follow.