Consulting Services

ACQUISITION CONSULTING

In addition to offering brokerage services to our customers, Devon Aviation has an active aircraft acquisition consulting business that, over the years, has provided potential aircraft buyers with the dedication and expertise only available from a full-time aviation professional.  This fee based service is offered in order to streamline the aircraft acquisition process and minimize or remove the common pitfalls that confront individuals who attempt to “go it alone” thinking that they don’t need assistance.

While an aircraft search can easily be done today by opening your internet browser and visiting the usual suspects, i.e. controller, aso, trade-a-plane, aerotrader, aircraftdealer.com, that is only one of several first steps.  Unless the customer is intimately familiar with the aircraft type that is the subject of the search, reading the various advertisements can be bewildering.  In addition, without having a detailed knowledge of the aircraft’s specifications, capabilities, and performance, the prospective purchaser may be searching for an aircraft that cannot fly the mission.

To be sure, the main motivating force for not retaining a professional is the cost.  Prospective purchasers who would never consider purchasing real estate, a business, or even doing their own tax returns, think they’re saving money by handling everything themselves.  In fact, they are risking financial disaster. An inability to correctly interpret log book entries, or lack of them, coupled with choosing the wrong repair shop for a pre-purchase inspection, can lead to unwelcomed results.

Our services are meant to insure that the acquisition process goes as smoothly as possible and that, once the decision to purchase has been made by the customer, there is little, or no, buyer’s remorse.  We will review not just those listings that are available to everyone on the internet, but locate, through our extensive contacts in the industry, aircraft that fit the customer’s needs but are not being offered for sale.  We then will present a representative listing to the customer.  Once an aircraft or aircrafts have been identified, the hard work begins.

Before any travel expenses are incurred, the aircraft logbooks are secured from the Seller and scrupulously examined for any irregularities, gaps or compliance failures.  All Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins are researched to insure the aircraft is in compliance. Copies of Form 337 are secured from the FAA and matched against the logbooks.  Finally, a title search is done by an aviation title company so that any defects can be discovered and, if there are any, a decision can be made as to how difficult, if at all, curing the defect can be.

At this point one or more aircraft will warrant further investigation.  Travel to visually inspect and fly the aircraft is scheduled so that any obvious discrepancies can be identified before an offer is made. Assuming satisfactory negotiations, a pre-purchase inspection is scheduled at a repair station known for its expertise and familiarity with the particular aircraft make, model and/or type. Depending on the outcome of the inspection, a decision is made whether to negotiate a revised purchase price or withdraw the offer to purchase.  If the decision is made to purchase the aircraft, a closing is scheduled.

Contemporaneously, insurance and financing issues are addressed.  Our contacts permit us to assist our customers to get appropriate insurance for an attractive price as well as secure financing from one of several sources in the aircraft financing business.

If the customer requires delivery support, we can provide this service for a small additional fee.  In addition, we have access to a roster of experienced certified flight instructors to check out the customer in the aircraft or provide any instruction required by the insurance company.

Our results can best be described by the number of customers who come back to us to sell the aircraft they purchased and retain us to find them an upgrade. We are dedicated to providing a “top notch” quality service and to making sure our customer is completely satisfied.  We accept no commissions from the aircraft seller so that there can be no doubt that we’re working solely in the interests of our customer.

If you’re contemplating an aircraft purchase, please contact us.  We are here to help you find the aircraft that best suits your needs and budget.