industry news

NAFA member Mike Smith, President of Scope Aircraft Finance, shares his latest article in Plane Truth.

As we move further into 2026, I’ve spent some time during my travels reflecting on where we can provide the most value through our monthly Plane Truth finance posts. I’ve been financing aircraft since 2011, and this segment of the industry has always fascinated me. ‍

As lenders, we have a front-row seat to so many cool areas of the industry, and by talking to our borrowers, we’re able to learn a lot about how the nation’s economy actually runs. ‍

For the rest of 2026, my goal is to provide various updates on a regular cadence through our Plane Truth posts.‍

Quarterly, we’ll review industry interest rate conditions, informed by actions (or inactions) by the Federal Reserve, along with a review of the yield curve. ‍

We’ll also take a quarterly look at macro transaction activity, which shows us how strong the market appears to be. Then, we’ll take a quarterly review of what interesting anecdotes we’re seeing out there. ‍

This month, I wanted to briefly comment on what we’ve seen in our loan fundings so far this year. 

Read full article here

This article was originally published in Plane Truth, Issue #17, on February 19, 2026.

Contact Information:​​​
 

Theresa C. Myers
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero​​​​
410-571-1740​​​​​

Emily Loggins
Emily@A1AirandSeaRecovery.com
770-508-4477

NAFA Welcomes New Member: A-1 Air & Sea Recovery

Edgewater, MD — February 19, 2026 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that A-1 Air & Sea Recovery has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

NAFA welcomes A-1 Air & Sea Recovery to the National Aircraft Finance Association. "We are thrilled to have A-1 Air & Sea Recovery join our network, and we anticipate that their engagement and contributions will be immensely valuable in enhancing the knowledge and resources available to all NAFA members," said Bryan Byers, NAFA President.

A-1 Air & Sea Recovery is a global asset recovery firm specializing in the identification, seizure, and repatriation of high-value assets. With expertise in aviation, complex receiverships, and securities fraud matters, the firm provides end-to-end recovery solutions that connect legal judgments to physical asset control. Services include on demand pilots and captains, secure storage and inventory management, investigation services, and asset remarketing and divestment. The firm manages a wide range of assets, including aircraft, vehicles, heavy equipment, firearms, and specialized facilities.

In an industry where precision is paramount, A-1 Air & Sea Recovery operates at the intersection of investigative intelligence and tactical execution. “We understand that distressed assets—particularly aircraft—require specialized handling to maintain value and compliance,” said Thomas White, CEO and Founder at A-1 Air & Sea Recovery. “By joining NAFA, our dedicated team is excited to provide creditors, financial institutions, and legal entities with a seamless, end-to-end solution for recovering capital and securing collateral, no matter how remote the location or complex the legal landscape.”

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years.Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

Contact Information:​​​
 

Theresa C. Myers
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero​​​​
410-571-1740​​​​​​​​​​​​
 

Scott Potter
scott@rim-alliance.com
405-820-0053

NAFA Welcomes New Member: RIM Alliance

Edgewater, MD — February 19, 2026 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that RIM Alliance has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

NAFA welcomes RIM Alliance to the National Aircraft Finance Association. "We are excited to have RIM Alliance join our network, and we anticipate that their expertise in supplying reliable, high-quality aircraft components with full traceability will benefit NAFA members," said Bryan Byers, NAFA President.

RIM Alliance products meet strict industry standards, supporting safe, efficient repairs that extend aircraft life while offering transparency and reliability. RIM Alliance offers a comprehensive range of solutions designed to support aircraft operators, MRO’s, and industry partners. In addition to supplying reliable, fully traceable parts, they are also active buyers of aircraft, engines, and parts. Often able to service as a practical, straightforward means of getting the plane out of the owner’s hangar and cash into the owner’s pocket.

“RIM Alliance is honored to become a member of the National Aircraft Finance Association,” said Scott Potter, CEO of RIM Alliance. “We have a substantial appetite for end-of-life aircraft, and we want to be a resource for NAFA members needing to convert difficult-to-sell aircraft into cash. Joining NAFA allows us to strengthen relationships with lenders, operators, and industry partners, while continuing to support aircraft transactions and lifecycle solutions with reliability and integrity.”

RIM Alliance is focused on being your aircraft parts supplier of choice by offering impeccable customer service while maintaining the highest quality standards. Our staff has over 150 years of combined aviation experience to assist with your requirements and has been delivering aircraft parts worldwide since 1991.

RIM Alliance offers a wide array of services:

· Aircraft Component Sales

· Consignment

· Overhaul Exchange

· Repair Management

· Inventory Acquisition

· AOG Support

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years.Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the 2025 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report during its annual State of the Industry Press Conference. Overall, when compared to 2024, the business jet and piston airplane segments saw increases in shipments and preliminary aircraft deliveries were valued at $35.7 billion, an increase of 14.6%.

“The state of the general aviation manufacturing industry remains steadfast. We continue to see robust numbers of total aircraft delivered as well as annual billings eclipsing $35 billion, the highest it has ever been. While some segments are seeing marginal declines in deliveries, they are all still above 2019 levels.  As manufacturers work hard to meet the challenges and demand of today, they remain focused on advancing safety and innovation for the future of the entire aviation industry,” said James Viola, GAMA President and CEO.

Airplane shipments in 2025, when compared to 2024, saw piston airplanes increase by ten units to 1,782, turboprops decline slightly by 5.1% with 594 units, and business jets increase 11.8% with 854 units. The value of airplane deliveries for 2025 was $31.0 billion, an increase of 16.1%.

Click here for full Press Release

This press release was originally published by GAMA on February 18, 2026.

Contact Information:​​​
 

Theresa C. Myers
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero​​​​
410-571-1740​​​​​​​​​​​​

Chris Canon
chris@radjets.com
770-316-1631

NAFA Welcomes New Member: RAD Jets

Edgewater, MD — February 13, 2026 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that RAD Jets has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

RAD Jets is a trusted provider of expert aircraft appraisal services in the business aviation sector, delivering precise, reliable, and USPAP-compliant valuations to support critical financial, insurance, tax, leasing, and transactional decisions. Led by Chris Canon, MBA, ASA—a senior accredited appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and over 15 years of industry experience—the company combines deep aviation knowledge with a rigorous, data-driven approach to aircraft valuation.

“RAD Jets is proud to become a member of the National Aircraft Finance Association,” said Chris Canon, MBA, ASA, Founder and Lead Appraiser. “As a dedicated provider of precise, USPAP-compliant aircraft appraisals, our mission is to deliver accurate, data-driven valuations that empower lenders, owners, and industry professionals to make confident decisions without costly surprises. Joining NAFA allows us to strengthen our connections within the aviation finance community, collaborate with trusted partners, and continue upholding the highest standards of integrity and expertise in every appraisal we perform.”

NAFA President Bryan Byers welcomes RAD Jets to the National Aircraft Finance Association. "We are pleased to welcome RAD Jets to NAFA and their expertise that focus on aircraft appraisal services,” said Bryan Byers.
 

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years.Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

Contact Information:                                                                                                                                                                                
 

Theresa C. Myers
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero                                                      
410-571-1740   

Michael Cosby
mcosby@mcjetlaw.com
(417) 792-2922

NAFA Welcomes New Member: MC Jet Law

Edgewater, MD — February 6, 2026 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that MC Jet Law has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

NAFA President Bryan Byers welcomes MC Jet Law to the National Aircraft Finance Association. "We are pleased to welcome MC Jet Law to NAFA and their expertise that focus on aviation transactions, regulatory compliance and taxes,” said Bryan Byers.

"MC Jet Law is excited to become a member of the National Aircraft Finance Association," said Michael Cosby, Principal with MC Jet Law, LLC. "NAFA affords the firm an opportunity to connect with lenders and industry partners to provide our 20+ years of experience with aviation finance transactions."
 

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years. Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

Middletown, RI – 01/29/2026 – On January 14, 2026, OceanPoint Funding, Inc., an affiliate of OceanPoint Financial Partners, MHC, entered into an agreement to acquire Lending Associates, Inc. OceanPoint Financial Partners is the parent company of the OceanPoint Marine Lending brand.

Lending Associates is a well-established organization with a strong reputation in marine, RV, and aircraft lending. Led by Grant Smalling and Jack Crittenden, the company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL, with a team serving the West Coast, Great Lakes, New England, Texas, and Florida. The team brings decades of industry experience and shares OceanPoint’s commitment to exceptional customer service and operational excellence.

The consummation of the transaction is subject to receipt of requisite regulatory and other necessary approvals and customary closing conditions and deliverables. OceanPoint currently anticipates the transaction will close in the second quarter of 2026, at which time the two teams will operate under the unified brand OceanPoint Funding, and will be led by Grant Smalling.

Read full release here

This Press Release was originally published by OceanPoint Funding, Inc. on January 29, 2026.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 04, 2026
Contact: Keaton Fenwick
press@globalair.com

(502) 785-7862

GlobalAir.com Partners with Aero Friedrichshafen to Develop Pre-Owned AIRCRAFT AREA

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – GlobalAir.com has been selected as the official sales representative for the newly established, pre-owned aircraft market at AERO Friedrichshafen, Europe’s leading show for general aviation and business aviation.

The show serves as a global platform for all aspects of general aviation and business aviation, bringing together manufacturers, operators, owners, and aviation professionals from across the industry. Through this partnership, GlobalAir.com will develop and manage a pre-owned aircraft area, showcasing a curated selection of light jets, turboprops, and single-engine piston aircraft available for sale in the European and global markets.

This collaboration represents a strategic alliance between two historic and influential aviation media and marketplace organizations, combining AERO Friedrichshafen’s European reach with the decades-long leadership in aircraft listings, data, and digital aviation marketing of GlobalAir.com.

Read full Press Release here

This Press Release was originally published by GlobalAir.com on January 19, 2026.

NAFA member Aero Asset releases their 2025 Annual Heli Market Trends - Single Engine Edition.

Heli Market Trends compiles 2025 performance of 4 single engine models in production and variants with recent preowned sales activity. Market performance is ranked from most to least active.

Download Report Here

This report was originally published by Aero Asset on January 27, 2026.

NAFA member, Mike Smith, President of Scope Aircraft Finance, looks back at a volatile 2025—tariffs, tax policy, and rate shifts—and explains what those lessons mean for aircraft financing as owners head into an uncertain but opportunity-filled 2026.

As we push toward the end of January, I want to wish you one last “happy new year!” from Columbus, Ohio. The Scope team is mostly recovered from what turned out to be a very strong 2025. Looking back at the year, it’s incredible to see how it ended after how it started.‍

If you go into the way-back machine, you’d remember that, at the start of 2025, there was tremendous optimism that the Trump administration was going to jump-start the economy with favorable tax policy, and in our industry, that meant a rapid return to the accelerated depreciation schedules of yesteryear. The industry saw a lot of 2024 closing volume pull forward into 2025 which resulted in a busy January for all.‍

As the calendar turned to spring, we all pulled out our high school US history books to remember what the word “tariff” meant and how it worked. Second quarter was a quarter of learning and navigating as tariff policy changed daily, with a new dynamic of including aircraft transactions.

Read full article here

This article was originally published by The Plane Truth on January 22, 2026.

NAFA member Greenberg Traurig shares the latest aviation alert regarding the FAA.

On Jan. 13, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notified Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc. (SACI) that the agency has rendered all aircraft registration certificates issued in the company’s name invalid and has notified the company that it must surrender them within 21 days. The FAA determined that SACI violated U.S. citizenship requirements when submitting registration applications for aircraft held in trust. This FAA determination grounds the affected aircraft, and they should not be operated until proper registration is confirmed.

Takeaways

Entities with aircraft registered through SACI may wish to take immediate action to avoid unauthorized operations. To register an aircraft on the U.S. Civil Aircraft Registry, the following requirements apply under 14 CFR Part 47.

Eligible Owners

• U.S. citizens or resident aliens (individuals);
   
• U.S. corporations or associations meeting control and voting interest requirements (president and two-thirds of board and other managing officers must be U.S. citizens; at least 75% voting interest must be U.S.-held); or
   
• Non-U.S. owners may use a trust, provided the trustee is a U.S. citizen or resident alien.

Required Documentation

Impacted parties must submit all required documentation to the FAA’s civil aircraft registry, located in Oklahoma City. Documents filed with the FAA for the purpose of registration must have either a blue-ink original signature or be properly signed using a valid electronic signature method.

Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Greenberg Traurig on January 13, 2026.

NAFA member Wings Insurance shares their latest article on aviation insurance.

In aviation insurance, there always seems to be confusion concerning what the FAA permits regarding aircraft operations and what the insurance requirements dictate via the policy conditions. ‍

FARs and insurance requirements are always two entirely separate paths of compliance, and both must be adhered to. If you expect to have insurance coverage in the event of a loss, you need to be compliant specifically with your policy conditions and warranties. Conversely, you might be in violation of an FAR and suffer a loss but still have insurance coverage if you haven’t breached a policy condition.‍

A great example of this is found in the pilot warranty section of a policy—specifically turbine policies. 

Read full article here

This article was originally published on StepZero Coaching - The Plane Truth on December 3, 2025.

NAFA Foundation Education Committee:   

The NAFA Education Committee is very pleased to have seen seven (7) students graduate from Embry-Riddle’s business aircraft finance program in the Spring, with three (3) additional graduates in the Fall.  This first year of the NAFA aircraft finance program has been a tremendous success, and NAFA members should be proud that the organization has educated ten (10) young adults to be equipped to participate in the future aviation finance workforce. 

 The NAFA-designed coursework within the Master of Science in Aviation Finance program is a part of the NAFA Foundation’s 10-year partnership (endowment) with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and includes two specific college courses, NAFA-I and NAFA-II.  Built in part thanks to NAFA’s Education Committee, in partnership with an excellent cross-section of the NAFA membership, the Association has laid the groundwork for long-term workforce development in aviation finance.  We’d like to thank Isabelle Lafond, Rollie Vincent, Ramy Sidhom, Rick Berkemeier, Amanda Applegate, Lou Seno, and Jim Blessing, members of the NAFA Education Committee and NAFA Foundation, for such an impactful and precedent-setting initiative.

Welcoming New Members 

NAFA has seen its membership base increase in 2025 to 188 member companies. We welcomed a total of 27 new member companies. This influx of fresh perspectives and expertise reinforces NAFA's position as a comprehensive network for all stakeholders within the general and business aviation industry. 

NAFA Members Events 

NAFA 53rd Annual Conference: Hosted at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, FL, this event brought together over 230 industry professionals to network, participate in insightful discussions, and discover the most recent trends and advancements in business and general aviation finance.

NAFA/IADA 2025 Networking Welcome Reception: This joint event with the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), was held at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, NV. The event brought together over 640 participants from both Associations, providing valuable opportunities for networking, relationship building, and exploring new business prospects.  

4th Annual NAFA Reception at EAA AirVenture: This year we collaborated with the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) for our 4th Annual reception at the prestigious EAA AirVenture expo. In addition to NAFA and IADA, over 20 Embry-Riddle students/interns were in attendance. Totaling over 120 attendees. Thank You to GAMA for their hospitality.   

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!

Webinars:

Produced 4 webinars in 2025:

NAFA invested resources dedicated to transactional integrity, tariffs and tax implications:

NAFA Webinar - Tax Updates

NAFA Webinar Recap: Navigating Tariffs When Importing Aircraft into the U.S.

A Fireside Chat on International Sanctions, Anti-Bribery and AML Compliance Priorities in the New Administration

NAFA Webinar: Operational Issues - What you need to know post sale

The NAFA Newsletter: Our monthly publication with top articles: 

Articles

Past Newsletters

If you’re interested in contributing an article for 2026, don’t hesitate to reach out to theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero. 

Honoring a Legacy of Achievement:

David Warner Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Aircraft Finance Association

We were pleased to present Dave Warner with the NAFA Lifetime Achievement Award at the NAFA 53rd Annual Conference. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the aircraft finance industry throughout their career and underscores the importance of the Association’s values.  

Leadership and Vision for the Future 

NAFA welcomed several new board members in 2025: Christopher Lee,1st Source Bank;
Jim Blessing, AirFleet Capital; Brian Macbean, AOPA; Dave Wall, TVPX; John Odegard, 5X5 Trading. Bryan Byers, Prism Bank, has taken over the role of NAFA President; Paula Staciarini, Embraer, has taken over the role of Treasurer and Jim Blessing, AirFleet Capital, has taken over Secretary role. Thank you to the following outgoing Board members for their commitment and dedication to the NAFA Board: Ed Medici, Bank of America; Anthony Schieber, Textron Financial Corp; and Phil Winters, Western Aircraft.  

Looking Ahead: NAFA in 2026 

As we move into 2026, NAFA will focus on providing the business and general aviation finance community opportunities for growth and betterment through collaboration, member expertise, and educational content. Stay tuned and keep an eye on your inbox for updates! 
 

This article was published by NAFA on December 8, 2025.

NAFA member FLYING Finance shares their latest educational feature about aviation lease rates.

The aviation market is currently defined by scarcity. With lease rates at all-time highs, operators and prospective owners need to understand the underlying economic drivers—from OEM backlogs to component shortages—to make informed decisions.

Our latest in-depth report offers a comprehensive education on these market dynamics, providing the data you need to understand the shifting value of aircraft assets.

Knowledge is power, but execution requires expertise. FLYING Finance offers more than just funding; they provide a partnership. Their team is dedicated to walking clients through this complex landscape, helping you analyze the data and structure an acquisition strategy that insulates you from the volatility of the leasing market.

Click here for Educational Feature Article

This article was brought to you by FLYING Finance on November 22, 2025. 

NAFA member David G. Mayer with Shackelford, McKinley & Norton, LLP discusses the legal and tax issues regarding charitable flights.

Many find navigating the legal and tax issues are more than worth it for charity flights.

Fighting a serious health condition like cancer is horrendous, but it gets even worse when the cancer patient can't travel to see the right doctor—a doctor who may not be across town but across the country. Rising to this great need, many private aviation individuals and corporate owners, lessees, pilots, and operators—flight partners—provide a free flight on their aircraft to those who face the physical, emotional, medical, or financial burden of traveling long distances for specialized medical care.

Multiple “qualified organizations” (i.e. charities) facilitate these partner flights. Often called “charitable organizations,” in the U.S. they must satisfy the criteria under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to be a tax-exempt entity. These charities, which have separate program models, include the Corporate Angel Network (CAN), for cancer patients; Angel Flight, for medical and disaster relief patients; and Patient AirLift Services (PALs), for medical patients.

CAN proudly announced last month at NBAA-BACE that it has coordinated 70,000 flights for cancer patients since its founding. I lost both of my grandfathers to cancer just as I was old enough to ask about their stories and some of my parents’ unspoken childhood exploits. Thinking of my grandfathers, who did not have today’s care options, I feel privileged and grateful to have become an “ambassador” for CAN.

When I shared my enthusiasm for this CAN role with friends and colleagues at NBAA-BACE, the conversation quickly shifted from their awareness of the charities to tax write-offs for partner flights, company liability risks, and FAA scrutiny of these flights and their pilots. In a discussion at Corporate Jet Investor Miami last week, an attendee said he “would love to pilot a mission” but did not know where to start.
 

Read full article here

This article was originally published by AIN on November 14, 2025.