NBAA Releases Business Aircraft Transaction Guide

NBAA has published an aircraft transactions guide covering tax, regulatory, and other considerations when buying or selling business aircraft. The guide walks people through preliminary considerations, contract and title concerns, closing process planning, and post-closing preparation.

It addresses assembling acquisition teams, developing ownership and operating structures, managing letters of intent, conducting title and lien searches, navigating aircraft purchase agreements and pre-purchase evaluations, handling registration processes and non-citizen trusts, and meeting post-closing documentation requirements.

“Aircraft transactions can be complex, and require coordination of entire teams on both the buyer's and seller’s side to ensure a smooth transaction,” said NBAA general counsel and corporate secretary Benjamin Schwalen. “No two transactions are identical, but following the time-tested guidance in this members-only publication can help keep your transaction on track.”

NBAA’s Tax Committee and Aircraft Transactions Working Group developed the guide with principal reviewers David T. Norton of Shackelford, McKinley & Norton, and Jeff Agur of The VanAllen Group. NBAA also provides members with other resources on trusts and aircraft export guidance, as well as an onboarding checklist for new owners.