About Jason Zilberbrand

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So far Jason Zilberbrand has created 420 blog entries.
24 09, 2025

EPISODE 4 | How Does Damage Effect Aircraft Value? | 9/24/25

2025-09-25T21:31:45-05:00September 24th, 2025|VREF Podcast|

Host: Jason Zilberbrand, President of VREF Aircraft Value Reference & Appraisal Services Introduction A single dent can erase seven figures from a jet’s value. In this episode, Jason unpacks one of aviation’s most misunderstood—and expensive—topics: damage. Drawing on decades of appraising, federal litigation experience, and a personal war story (a Lear 45 tail strike in a hangar), he explains why damage isn’t a checkbox or a one-size deduction. It’s a nuanced blend of market psychology, documentation, [...]

12 09, 2025

EPISODE 3 | The Good, the Bad, and the Manipulated: How Aircraft Valuations Really Work | 9/12/25

2025-09-24T15:53:19-05:00September 12th, 2025|VREF Podcast|

Host: Jason Zilberbrand, President of VREF Aircraft Value Reference & Appraisal Services Introduction Jason pulls back the curtain on aircraft valuation—what it is, what it isn’t, and how bad inputs (or bad actors) can warp the number you’re relying on. Building on Episode 2 (bonus depreciation myths and popularity traps), this episode shows exactly how to value an aircraft and how the new VREF software makes the process transparent, defensible, and repeatable for buyers, sellers, brokers, [...]

2 09, 2025

Business Jet Market – Supply Rising, Demand Falling

2025-09-23T15:58:30-05:00September 2nd, 2025|Market Trend Report Newsletter|

Newsletter 2nd Quarter 2025 (PDF)Newsletter 2nd Quarter 2025 (PDF) Wow—summer went fast. I love the good weather and “vacation mode,” but let’s be real: parenting through summer is a marathon. With the kids back in school and Labor Day approaching, it feels good to shift gears and get back to work. The markets certainly are ready; they have been slow, and while the summers are always a bit slower, they have not been this sluggish in some [...]

28 08, 2025

EPISODE 2 | The Free Jet Myth & The Aircraft Popularity Contest | 8/26/25

2025-09-23T15:58:20-05:00August 28th, 2025|VREF Podcast|

Host: Jason Zilberbrand, President of VREF Aircraft Value Reference & Appraisal Services Introduction In this episode of The Truth About the Market, VREF CEO Jason Zilberbrand pulls apart two of the biggest myths driving poor aircraft buying decisions: the illusion of “free jets” through bonus depreciation, and the herd mentality of chasing the most popular aircraft rather than the one that fits your mission and budget. Jason brings over three decades of valuation expertise and market [...]

9 08, 2025

EPISODE 1 | Turbulence Ahead: Tariffs, Supply Chains, and the Market Correction Taking Shape | 8/8/25

2025-08-28T15:46:13-05:00August 9th, 2025|VREF Podcast|

Host: Jason Zilberbrand, President of VREF Aircraft Value Reference & Appraisal Services Introduction Hi everyone, and welcome to the very first episode of The Truth About the Market. I’m your host, Jason Zilberbrand—President of VREF, long-time aviation appraiser, and someone who’s spent over three decades deep in this industry. I’ve worked with everyone from individual owners to Fortune 50 operators. I’ve testified as an expert witness in major litigation. I’ve seen more cycles than I can [...]

24 06, 2025

20 Common Mistakes In Aircraft Logbook Maintenance & How To Avoid Them

2025-09-23T17:25:31-05:00June 24th, 2025|Educational|

Complete, detailed logbooks are the only ones that matter in aviation. Some of the most common mistakes in aircraft logbook maintenance typically don’t result in major setbacks for aircraft owners.  However, some mistakes could impact your logbook credibility and overall aircraft value. Missing logbooks can cause a significant double-digit loss – anywhere between 40% and 60% of the total aircraft value. Avoid the most common mistakes aircraft owners make to ensure more accurate and reliable aircraft maintenance records [...]

24 06, 2025

Cessna CitationJet 525

2025-06-24T17:22:42-05:00June 24th, 2025|VREF Learning Center|

Cessna by Textron Aviation Cessna Aviation's rich history began in June 1911, when Clyde Cessna, a farmer from Kansas, built and flew a powered aircraft, marking a key moment in American aviation. After testing his designs in Enid, Oklahoma, Clyde faced financial challenges that led him to Wichita. In 1924, he co-founded Travel Air Manufacturing Co. but left in 1927 to start the Cessna Aircraft Company. This is where he introduced successful monoplane designs, including the "Phantom." The [...]

24 06, 2025

Bombardier Challenger 604

2025-06-24T17:17:53-05:00June 24th, 2025|VREF Learning Center|

Bombardier Introduced in 1995, the Bombardier Challenger 604 is part of an aircraft legacy that began with the Canadair Challenger 600 series. Challenger 600 is a line of business jets that first flew in 1980. Canadair, a company known for its expertise in aerospace, originally developed the Challenger 600 as a revolutionary new aircraft that combined the comfort of a large cabin with the efficiency of a midsize jet. The Challenger 600 quickly became popular for corporate aviation, [...]

2 06, 2025

“Tariffs and Turbulence and Trade Wars—Oh My!”

2025-06-02T11:25:36-05:00June 2nd, 2025|Market Trend Report Newsletter|

Newsletter 2nd Quarter 2025 (PDF) Welcome to Q2: A Market Off the Yellow Brick Road I’m excited to share the beta launched, all-new VREF Online with you. These aren’t minor changes; they are substantial. We didn’t just modernize our look; we revolutionized aircraft valuation delivery. VREF Online is faster, smarter, mobile-friendly, and more intuitive, and it’s designed for the real-world workflows of appraisers, brokers, buyers, sellers, lenders, and insurers. If you haven’t logged in yet, now’s the time. [...]

6 05, 2025

What To Know About Single-Engine Aircraft Insurance

2025-06-10T19:51:59-05:00May 6th, 2025|Educational|

Aircraft insurance costs, coverage, and requirements can vary widely, depending on the aircraft you plan on purchasing whether for yourself or your business. But having the right type of coverage for your aircraft is necessary for both your annual budget and peace of mind. Ever heard any of these misconceptions about aircraft insurance and don’t know what to believe?  I don’t need insurance if I’m not flying far My homeowner’s insurance covers everything Hull insurance always covers full [...]

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