NAFA member, Duncan Aviation, discusses purchasing and importing aircraft into the U.S.
The secondary aircraft market in the United States is very tight with little available inventory. Many transactions are negotiated and closed without the aircraft ever officially entering the market. For this reason, serious aircraft buyers are exploring opportunities outside of the country where many high-quality well-maintained aircraft are available.
Importing an aircraft into the U.S. for purchase is a complicated process, and is sometimes performed with the buyer not actually seeing the aircraft until after the sale has been closed and is flown to the United States. Having a skilled aircraft sales broker on your team navigating the process can make the experience a positive one.
Is the aircraft considered unairworthy by the FAA?
Prior to beginning an aircraft sales negotiation in a foreign market, the aircraft’s modification status needs to be determined, and what is required if the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) finds them to be unacceptable.
Just because an aircraft meets EASA standards is not a guarantee that the FAA feels the same way. If the aircraft you are considering has had any modifications, they may not be acceptable to the FAA.
Additional modifications or a reversal of the existing modifications may be required before it can be imported into the United States. And that will impact the price. And before settling on a price, determine the availability of the necessary parts, resources, and downtime required to perform the additional mods.
This article was originally published by Duncan Aviation in October 2022.
