NAFA member Amanda Applegate, Partner at Soar Aviation Law, shares her latest article on Lender's Aircraft Appraisals.
When a buyer elects to finance their aircraft, most lenders require an aircraft appraisal. Lenders will require one of two types of aircraft appraisals: 1) a desktop aircraft appraisal or 2) a physical appraisal of the aircraft.
A desktop, or remote, aircraft appraisal is based on certain aircraft information which is sent to the aircraft appraiser and the aircraft appraiser completes the appraisal based on the information received. The information usually needed to complete the desktop aircraft appraisal includes: a recent computerized aircraft maintenance report showing upcoming inspections and any past due items; aircraft make, model, and serial number; the aircraft configuration; and an aircraft specification, including current times on the airframe, engines and APU. The aircraft appraiser will also need to know if the aircraft is currently on any airframe, engine or other maintenance programs. Appraisers will also use market considerations and analyses in the appraisal.
This article was originally published by Soar Aviation Law on April 24, 2026.