When is the Best Time to Sell Your Airplane?

January 27, 2025

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A small blue and white airplane is parked on a runway.

Are you thinking of selling your aircraft? Timing matters - and when you put it on the market can make a big difference in how much interest it garners, how quickly it sells, and how much you get for it.


In this post, we'll cover some factors to consider before selling your aircraft, the best way to sell your plane and other information. Read on to learn more about how to sell an airplane or contact J.A. Air Center today.

Factors to Consider Before Selling Your Aircraft

Here's a look at some of the leading factors to consider before selling an airplane:

Plane Conditions

Arguably the biggest factor involved in selling your aircraft, planes in good condition will naturally sell for more than those that aren't.

Maintenance Status

Aside from the overall condition, buyers want to know how well previous owners have maintained the aircraft. Hang onto maintenance records and documentation of service to present to potential sellers.

Aircraft Lifecycle

The aircraft is understandably most valuable early in its lifespan before depreciation and high maintenance costs take hold. The stage of the lifecycle your aircraft is in will help dictate its selling price.

Aviation Regulations

You'll likely attract greater interest in your aircraft if you've ensured that you're meeting the needs of today and tomorrow. Older aircraft can be costly and time-consuming to update to meet today's regulations. A proactive seller will likely interest more buyers.

Company / Personal Needs

Is your aircraft ideal for personal use or business use? Perhaps both? The more flexible your aircraft is, the larger net you can cast when it comes to selling it.

Best Way to Sell Your Plane

Selling an aircraft is a lot more complicated than you might think, and it's usually challenging for people to handle it on their own. J.A. Air Center is here to help assist aircraft owners interested in selling their aircraft. In addition to selling planes and assisting pilots with plane acquisition, we also purchase planes. Interested in learning where to sell aircraft parts? We can help with that too. Contact us today for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How Does an Aircraft Transfer Work?

    An aircraft transfer is a multi-step process that involves a bill of sale, transferring registration, and filing all the necessary paperwork with the FAA to update ownership information accordingly.

  • How Do You Value an Aircraft?

    Various factors are used to value an aircraft. These include make and model, how long the aircraft has been in service, avionics package, maintenance records, market conditions, damage history, and more.

  • How Long Does it Take to Sell an Airplane?

    How long it takes to sell an airplane depends on various factors such as market demand, the aircraft's condition, and how it's priced. You could sell your airplane within a few weeks. Other sales may take several months or even more than a year.

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