With the average helicopter costing anywhere from $250,000 to $1,700,000 you better bet finding a deal is worth the effort. But how do you shop savvy, and how do you recognize areas you can cut back on without risking the quality and safety of your new aircraft? Not to worry, here's a simple guide on how to get the best deal when you buy a helicopter. Finding a Deal When You Buy a Helicopter Freedom, adventure, convenience, what more [...]
You know the adage if it's in print it must be true! Well, when it comes to the internet and aviation information, most of what you read is not only inaccurate but severely outdated. When it comes to the transparency of data, most of what you find available on the world wide web is anything but factual. Rarely do you find a source cited, or a so-called expert backing up a claim. With aviation values and market demand, [...]
There are over 31,000 piston and turbine-powered helicopters in the United States alone. If you want to own one of these exceptional machines, you may be wondering about the purchase price and your overall budget. After all, helicopters aren't cheap and keeping them airworthy cant get pretty expensive. VREF is lucky to have on its staff one of the most knowledgable helicopter appraisers in the world, Dick Hart. Dick is a Senior Accredited Appraiser with the ASA and ISA, [...]
If you’re an airplane enthusiast and been flying in other people’s aircraft or renting a plane, then you’ve likely considered buying your own. Unlike buying a house or car, buying an airplane, whether it’s a single-engine Cessna or a private jet, is more complicated than you think. Amongst several factors, it can be difficult to find a lender to finance the plane of your choice. Here is what you need to know! The good news is you can [...]
http://www.airplanegeeks.com/2019/07/10/560-aircraft-valuation-with-vref/
No business exists in a vacuum. Social trends, economic shifts, and technological advancements can have a major impact, and the aviation industry is no exception. Whether you're primarily focused on freight or passengers, knowing what's ahead can help you keep up and plan for a successful future. Here's a peek into the airline industry trends we expect to continue throughout the rest of 2019. Airline Industry Trends in 2019 Whether you're trying to keep up with your competitors or find [...]
VREF provides appraisal services to thousands of aircraft owners on an annual basis, and every once in a while we come across a story worth sharing. Aviators are passionate to a fault, and one of the many things the staff at VREF enjoy are interacting with clients that have amazing stories and backgrounds to share. While conducting research we may uncover tidbits about an owner, or the history of an aircraft that is interesting. When you are doing [...]
Having an aircraft appraisal completed requires locating a qualified and accredited appraiser. However, where do you start? An excellent resource for pilots and buyers of aircraft alike is the AOPA website, and it contains more unbiased information than any other source on the internet. Accurate and impartial data are two of the many reasons why AOPA and VREF have a strategic partnership going back many years. Financial institutions and insurance companies are also a great place to seek [...]
Believe it or not you have 6-months left to comply with ADS-B and 2020 mandates. While many of you have already picked out solutions and had them installed, roughly 40% of the active fleet has not. So, if you are a procrastinator or just want to learn about ADS-B expenses then this article is for you! For those who have not met me, my name is Neill Fulbright and I have been teaching and developing avionics programs for [...]
For luxury helicopters, it’s all about high-end convenient air travel. But, which helicopters stand out from the crowd? Helicopters have come a long way since the Sikorsky’s VS-300, American’s first practical helicopter, hit the scene. From just another form of transportation, choppers have evolved into situation savers in the military, medical, and cargo fields. And, of course, their designs continue to vary. Some makes are well suited to perform the above functions efficiently, but for some, it’s all [...]