Aircraft Acquisition: The Right Aircraft for Your Missions

Aircraft acquisition with Lohn Aviation does not begin with a manufacturer brochure or an aircraft already being offered for sale. It begins with your actual missions. We analyse routes, passenger numbers, baggage, preferred airports, time windows, comfort, availability and the intended operating model. The result is a robust search and decision profile.

What matters is not only what an aircraft can do under ideal conditions. What matters is where its limitations affect the future owner’s mission profile: range with real payload, runway performance, weather, reserves, cabin, baggage, maintenance, availability and operating costs.

Whether the right solution is a new or pre-owned aircraft, Lohn Aviation supports and coordinates the entire process – from advice and analysis through selection, technical and records review, contract and acceptance to registration, positioning to the home base and transition into aircraft management.

Manufacturers, sellers, brokers and financing parties each have their own interests. Independent advice creates a perspective focused solely on the future owner’s requirements. An aircraft may show sufficient range on paper and still reach its limits on typical missions because of passengers, baggage, headwinds, reserves, high temperatures, high-elevation airports or short runways.

A sound purchase decision therefore answers more than “What can this aircraft do?” It focuses on the more important question: “Which of our missions can it not perform reliably, economically or without material restrictions?”

• Which routes must be flown nonstop, and with how many passengers?
• How much baggage, cabin height, sleeping capacity or special equipment is required?
• Which short, high-elevation or performance-critical airports form part of the profile?
• How frequently and at what notice must the aircraft be available?
• What are the realistic annual flight hours, fixed costs and variable costs?
• Would a new or pre-owned aircraft be more appropriate commercially and operationally?
• How should the aircraft be registered, operated, crewed, maintained and potentially offered for charter?
• Which technical, contractual and value-related risks must be contained before purchase?

We translate personal and business travel requirements into a technical and commercial search profile. This includes typical and critical routes, passenger numbers, baggage, pets, cabin requirements, preferred airports, travel frequency, required response time, annual flight hours, budget and intended holding period.

The right aircraft class is determined by the complete real-world profile, not by one exceptional ideal mission.

We compare suitable aircraft classes and models against realistic missions. The analysis may include range with payload and reserves, take-off and landing distances, hot-and-high performance, cabin and baggage volume, speed, maintenance programmes, maintenance access, crew requirements, operating costs, market liquidity and expected residual value.

The Lohn Aviation fleet illustrates different mission profiles – from efficient regional aircraft to ultra-long-range jets. For an acquisition, however, the individual mission always remains decisive.

Based on requirements, budget, delivery time, configuration, technical maturity, value development and risk appetite, we develop the acquisition strategy. A new aircraft offers an individual specification, manufacturer warranty and a defined production and delivery process, but may also involve long lead times, price-escalation provisions and substantial pre-delivery payments.

A pre-owned aircraft may be available sooner and can be commercially attractive. In return, ownership and operating history, maintenance status, technical programmes, damage history, modifications, upcoming events and records become particularly important.

For a new aircraft, we assist with manufacturer engagement, offer comparison, specification and negotiation. For a pre-owned aircraft, once the search profile has been approved, we conduct a structured market scan, approach relevant market participants and identify publicly available as well as potentially discreet off-market aircraft.

The shortlist considers more than asking price and year of manufacture. It assesses total suitability: technical configuration, maintenance status, programmes, history, location, availability, transaction risk and expected cost to reach an operationally ready condition.

For selected pre-owned aircraft, we coordinate the next review stage: indicative offer or letter of intent, data room, review of ownership and registration documents, aircraft and maintenance records, technical status reports, damage history, liens and their release, as well as the commercial and technical conditions of the transaction.

The purchase agreement is coordinated with the appointed legal, tax and financing specialists. Lohn Aviation does not replace legal or tax advice; our role is to ensure that operational, technical and transaction requirements are brought together throughout the process.

For a pre-owned aircraft, we coordinate a risk-based pre-purchase inspection by a suitable independent specialist facility. Its scope and depth depend on aircraft type, age, history, maintenance status and known issues. Findings are assessed technically and commercially and compared against the contractual delivery conditions.

For both new and pre-owned aircraft, we support the records review, cabin and systems checks, acceptance, acceptance flight, discrepancy list and closing preparation. An acceptance flight is one part of acceptance – it does not replace the technical and documentary review.

After closing, we coordinate the steps required by the selected structure until entry into service: export or import, deregistration and registration, insurance evidence, radio and equipment documentation, customs and tax processes where applicable, ferry or positioning flight, home base, hangar, crew, maintenance support and operational introduction.

Specific responsibilities and authority requirements depend on the state of registry, ownership structure and operating model. Together with the relevant appointed specialists, we transfer the acquisition into a robust aircraft management and operating concept.

1. Advice and requirements analysis: define missions, budget, cabin, availability, operation and holding period.
2. Model comparison and selection: assess suitable aircraft types against realistic missions and limitations.
3. Configuration and production monitoring: define cabin, avionics, communications, paint and operational options; control changes.
4. Offer and purchase agreement: negotiate price, payment schedule, delivery date, specification, weights, options, warranties and delivery conditions.
5. Acceptance: review records, configuration, systems, open items and contractual condition; conduct the acceptance flight.
6. Closing and transfer of title: satisfy conditions, coordinate payments and documents, and complete delivery.
7. Registration and entry into service: implement registration, insurance, positioning, home base, crew, maintenance and management structure.

1. Requirements analysis and search profile: define mandatory, preferred and exclusion criteria.
2. Market scan and shortlist: identify marketed and relevant off-market aircraft and create a comparable assessment.
3. LOI and data room: define commercial terms, exclusivity, inspection rights, deposit and exit conditions.
4. Records due diligence: review ownership, registration, operational and maintenance records, technical programmes and history.
5. Pre-purchase inspection: conduct an independent technical inspection and assess the findings.
6. Purchase agreement, acceptance and closing: implement delivery conditions, rectification, acceptance flight, payment and delivery mechanics.
7. Registration and entry into service: coordinate deregistration, registration, insurance, positioning and operational introduction.

• Brochure range is not meaningful without payload, reserves, weather and real route planning.
• A desired cabin option can affect weight, range, delivery time and resale value.
• Missing, inconsistent or untraceable records can affect operation and residual value.
• Upcoming engine, landing-gear, structural or calendar events can erase the apparent price advantage of a pre-owned aircraft.
• Damage, repairs and modifications require technical, documentary and value assessment.
• An unsuitable state of registry, an unprepared operating concept or delayed insurance and crew planning can postpone entry into service.
• Unclear delivery conditions can transfer open discrepancies and costs to the buyer.
• Residual value and resale also depend on configuration, programmes, history, market acceptance and records quality.

Lohn Aviation does not treat new and pre-owned aircraft as inherently better or worse choices. The right option is the one that most reliably brings together your missions, budget, timing, risk appetite and future operating model.

Manufacturer material is important, but it generally reflects standardised conditions. Buyers need to understand performance on their routes, with their passenger load, reserves, temperatures, winds and airports. We translate brochure data into real missions and make limitations visible.

An aircraft must do more than theoretically complete the longest desired route. It must support the typical mission profile with robust reserves, acceptable restrictions and workable alternatives. That includes alternates, seasonal conditions, baggage, runway performance and operational availability.

An attractive asking price can be offset by upcoming maintenance, missing programmes, incomplete records, corrosion, damage, obsolete avionics or an unsuitable cabin. We therefore assess price and technical status together.

The LOI, purchase agreement, inspection rights, rectification, termination rights, payment mechanics and precisely defined delivery condition allocate risk between buyer and seller. Technical and operational requirements must therefore reach the legal drafting process in time.

Only when registration, insurance, crew, maintenance, home base, records and the operating concept are ready does the purchased asset become a reliably usable aircraft. Lohn Aviation plans this transition from the outset.

We capture typical and critical missions, comfort and availability requirements, budget, intended holding period and operating model. This becomes a written search profile with mandatory, preferred and exclusion criteria.

We compare aircraft types, approach the market for pre-owned aircraft, prepare a shortlist and coordinate commercial, documentary and technical review steps. Decisions are documented against the agreed search profile.

We support the LOI and commercial terms, bring technical and operational requirements into contract coordination, and assist with inspection, findings assessment, acceptance, acceptance flight and closing.

We coordinate the transition into the selected ownership, registry and operating structure, the positioning flight to the home base, and preparation of crew, insurance, maintenance and aircraft management.

• Requirements, mission and commercial analysis
• Independent model comparison and acquisition strategy
• Manufacturer or market approach and offer comparison
• Shortlist, LOI and data-room coordination
• Technical and records due diligence
• Pre-purchase inspection and assessment of findings and costs
• Coordination with appointed legal, tax, financing and insurance specialists
• Purchase agreement, acceptance, acceptance flight and closing
• Registration, positioning, home base and entry into service
• Transition into an individual aircraft management concept

When should an independent adviser become involved in an aircraft purchase?

As early as possible – ideally before committing to a manufacturer, aircraft class or specific offer. Independent advice has its greatest impact while the mission profile and exclusion criteria are being defined.

How is the right aircraft type selected?

The starting point is the typical and critical mission profile: routes, passengers, baggage, airports, reserves, weather, cabin, availability and budget. Suitable models are compared using realistic assumptions rather than brochure figures alone.

Why is it important to understand what an aircraft cannot do?

Because limitations can later result in fuel stops, reduced passenger or baggage capacity, unsuitable airports, greater operational effort or lower availability. Those limits must fit the mission profile before purchase.

Is a new aircraft always better than a pre-owned aircraft?

No. A new aircraft offers individual configuration and manufacturer warranty, but may involve longer lead times and greater capital commitment. A pre-owned aircraft may be available sooner but requires particularly careful technical and records review.

What is an LOI in a pre-owned aircraft transaction?

The letter of intent records the principal commercial terms and the intended inspection and transaction process. Its content and legal effect must be coordinated with the appointed legal adviser.

What is reviewed during a pre-purchase inspection?

The precise scope depends on aircraft type, age, history and maintenance status. It generally addresses relevant systems and structures, technical findings, upcoming events and consistency with the records and agreed delivery condition.

Does an acceptance flight replace the technical inspection?

No. The acceptance flight checks defined functions and aircraft behaviour in flight. It does not replace either the technical inspection or the review of aircraft and maintenance records.

How long does an aircraft acquisition take?

Timing depends on aircraft type, market availability, production lead time, negotiation, inspection findings, financing, registration and operating structure. The schedule is developed individually around the search profile and transaction model.

Does Lohn Aviation support registration and positioning?

Yes. Lohn Aviation coordinates the required steps with the relevant authorities, specialist facilities and advisers, including registration, insurance, delivery, positioning flight, home base and preparation for operation.

Can Lohn Aviation manage the aircraft after purchase?

Yes. The acquisition can transition directly into an individual aircraft management concept covering operation, crew, maintenance, cost control, availability and charter where appropriate.

Does Lohn Aviation replace legal or tax advice?

No. Lohn Aviation coordinates flight, operational, technical and transaction requirements. Legal, tax and financing reviews are performed by the appointed specialists.

Whether you are acquiring an aircraft for the first time, replacing an existing aircraft or deciding between a new and pre-owned aircraft, Lohn Aviation structures the decision and transaction process from the future owner’s perspective.

We combine flight and operational experience with market, management and transaction coordination. For legal, tax and specialist technical reviews, financing and insurance, we work with the experts selected or separately appointed by you.

Speak to us about your missions – confidentially, independently and before a product presentation becomes a purchase decision.