Frequently asked questions.

Buying an aircraft on your own is like building a new house without a general contractor. We assist clients through the acquisition by leveraging internal resources and expertise -- we complete roughly 40 aircraft transactions a year, about 80% of them acquisitions, and clients typically save significant time and money.

Acquisition involves complex risks and expenses. A seller's broker defends the seller's interests, while TPJC defends the purchaser's -- and we're paid by the party we represent, in this case the purchaser.

No. TPJC is only paid upon successful closing, in most cases directly from escrow -- and you can end the engagement at any time if you're not satisfied.

Yes, we still recommend it. Finding the aircraft is only about 10% of the acquisition process -- the remaining 90% is where the risk lives.

Average transactions take two to six months, but we have closed in under a week -- our record is five days from LOI to closing. Speed depends mostly on aircraft type, seller flexibility, and buyer readiness.

The buyer usually presents the seller with a preferred inspection facility, and we help get it accepted. We also help tailor the inspection's scope to the aircraft's history and maintenance records, to minimize future exposure.

Most brokers lack this expertise, but we can coordinate creating a company or trust structure depending on your situation and requirements, for tax and privacy purposes.

Costs vary by country and by the aircraft's equipment and maintenance history. Our experts help determine what it takes to make an aircraft compliant with your country's regulations -- about 20% of our transactions involve an international registration change.

Typically: $7,500-30,000 in legal fees, $5,000-80,000 for the pre-purchase inspection, $2,000-4,000 in escrow fees, and around $5,000 in registration fees -- plus possible additional costs for taxes, relocation, export/import, or forming a company.

Our team handles all communication with lawyers, technicians, representatives, escrow agents, maintenance facilities and programs, the inspection facility, registration and insurance agents, and crew and management organizations.

It depends on your individual tax circumstances. Our team can help determine eligibility, and our aviation tax attorney works with clients and their CPAs on the analysis.

We investigate an aircraft's records and history and run a preliminary assessment before you commit to a full inspection, so you can decide whether to proceed or look at other aircraft.

It depends on aircraft type and pricing expectations -- we've sold listings in as fast as nine days, and we give you an upfront timing estimate after the initial review.

On every major public aircraft site -- Controller, AvBuyer, GlobalAir, Trade-A-Plane -- and aviation trade publications, plus broker-dedicated platforms like JETNET and AMSTAT, and direct outreach to management companies, operators and industry associations.

Yes, typically until a deal is signed. Once purchased, you'd relocate the aircraft to the pre-purchase inspection facility -- we work to minimize downtime and can help arrange a temporary replacement aircraft.

We coordinate a simultaneous sale and replacement, trying to match closing dates so you avoid an aircraft-free period. Trading in your aircraft may reduce its value, but it eliminates the risk of owning two at once.

Yes -- we developed ownership programs with select operators where an owner is paid up to 10% of aircraft value per year, uses 100% depreciation for tax purposes, and flies at direct operating cost while the operator covers all other expenses.

It depends on your mission profile and financial preferences. Based on a detailed financial analysis of those factors, we'll present alternatives to help you land on the best financial and strategic outcome.

Yes. We've completed a large number of short-term leases -- from one month to several months, all over the world -- for maintenance downtime and similar situations.

Yes. A purchase option typically deducts the portion of the lease already paid toward the purchase price -- generally 20% to 50% -- with the purchase price set either at lease inception or when the option is exercised.

Yes, and our team can help you negotiate that with the owner.

No -- since a lessee doesn't hold the aircraft title, they can't benefit from depreciation for tax purposes. That does mean the lessee is also protected from any drop in market value, which only affects the owner.

Yes, in significant ways. Ownership involves both fixed and variable expenses; chartering generates revenue or offsets costs, and your management fee may also decrease based on charter-hour deductions.

Yes -- we work with creditworthy operators offering charter and lease programs that guarantee charter hours, or cover all expenses plus a fixed rent, depending on utilization and aircraft type.

It changes them in both directions -- increasing some expenses while reducing others. Ownership involves fixed and variable costs; chartering generates revenue or reduces expenses and management fees accordingly.

Traditional banks often offer lower rates, but with higher requirements and more restrictions. We can also secure financing through second-tier lenders or private funding.

Typically 25-30% -- though we've secured as low as 15% down for clients with strong credit profiles.

Financing comes from various channels depending on the aircraft and buyer, including major financial institutions, independent aircraft loan brokers, and private funds.

Typically around 30 days -- we assist in securing financing throughout the transaction.

Yes. We maintain a comprehensive database of pilots, technicians and flight attendants built over the last 20 years, and partner with aviation staffing companies for crew placement.

Without a formal audit it's difficult to say for certain, but we can review your billing statements and compare rates against other management companies' pricing.

We determine which management company suits your specific needs and geography. We've evaluated hundreds of management companies and negotiated strong terms and conditions based on cost, experience, efficiency and client feedback.

We generally recommend hiring local management with the right credentials, for personalized on-site support -- remote management is possible but more challenging. We help you compare options and monitor service quality either way.

Through relationships built placing over 300 aircraft with management companies globally, we've been able to secure better terms and pricing for our clients.

Convenience to your preferred departure airport, management costs, the company's experience with your aircraft make and model, and the availability of experienced pilots and maintenance staff -- we help you weigh all of it.

Most brokers lack the financial capacity for inventory, but TPJC does -- we can take an aircraft into inventory by purchasing it, and help you with the purchase of a replacement upgrade aircraft.

We accept all aircraft in trade for inventory -- contact our team for a free valuation.

A simpler, faster transaction; lower risk of owning two aircraft at once; and real peace of mind.