High-net-worth individuals and large companies, particularly those who travel internationally, often face an important decision. Deciding whether to lease or buy an airplane can be a difficult decision for several reasons. The decision to buy or lease an aircraft is one that you should discuss with several people, including your accountant, and your lawyer. There are pros and cons to each. Why Buy an Airplane?  Research has shown that, of all of the individuals and entities that use [...]

VREF Aircraft Value Reference often gets asked to help locate pilots, or even recomend a management company.  If you're one of the tens of thousands of people who own an aircraft, you may want to know how to hire a crew. With a shortage of qualified pilots, it can be a challenge to locate a pilot to hire permanently. If you are not an owner/operator, the process of finding the right company to manage your aircraft can be daunting. [...]

There are roughly 220,000 civil aircraft registered in the United States alone. You can determine the value for over 500 makes and models at VREF. Whether you're looking to buy or sell an aircraft, one of your first steps is to get an appraisal. A proper evaluation will allow all parties involved to know the value of the plane. The aircraft appraisal process is straightforward in most cases and should take a short time to complete. Keep reading to learn [...]

Believe it or not, traveling by aircraft is still by far the safest form of travel. According to the NTSB, in 2016 there were only 108 accidents and 29 fatalities.  And considering some of the places pilots try their luck at landing, that's an even more impressive record!  If you're a pilot, you might want to consider avoiding the most dangerous runways—then again you may want to start a new bucket list! But where are these dangerous airports? Read [...]

The cost of a new aircraft continues to rise with increased costs of labor along with the increased expense in components and raw materials. Commercial passengers often complain about the price of tickets to their travel destination, but those who are fortunate enough to charter a plane or buy one for the first time, are paying even more to avoid the dreaded security line. Airplane prices vary based on several factors, including size, passenger capacity, equipment, in-flight entertainment, amenities, [...]

Thinking that you want to trade a plane? It's not exactly like buying a car. There aren't dealerships around every corner, and it's a potentially risky investment that you want to be sure of a few things beforehand. But if you are looking at how to buy or trade a plane, there are a few tips that will keep your experience positive. Here are 5! 1. Think about Cost Vs. Safety If you're looking to trade a plane, it's [...]

You're looking for a professional appraisal of your valuable asset. It doesn't matter if this appraisal is going to be used for resale purposes, a potential purchase, insurance, or financing, you want to make sure the appraisal is USPAP compliant for a reason. How do you ensure that is the case? You choose an appraiser that is USPAP-compliant! Keep reading to learn what USPAP is and why it's important for your appraisal. What Is USPAP? USPAP is an [...]

Over the last 100 years, the aviation industry has tried their hand at a range of exciting new designs. There has been a shift, however from massive changes to smaller incremental improvements. IN other words, the aircraft in its most basic form it the same recognizable shape that it was when it was first invented. Hence, tomorrow’s airplanes are probably going to look similar to the ones we all travel on today. This design is because of the trouble [...]

You've always loved the look of military aircraft. Whether you're staring at them in a book, watching them fly through the skies, or viewing them at an airshow, military aircraft are nothing short of a big deal to you. That being said, you may have wondered what it would be like to own one of these incredible birds, or even if it's possible to buy one for yourself. We can fill you in on buying military aircraft for [...]