Established in 1994, we are one of America’s largest arrangers of loan financing for owner-pilots. During this tenure, we have originated over 8,650 loans representing a wide variety of aircraft types. In order to operate our successful model, we utilize our unique ability to assess the creditworthiness of pilots who fly or operate their own aircraft and their companies. This expertise comes from our immersion in the aviation industry and our institutional knowledge on how the equipment relates to the capabilities, experience and needs of each owner pilot. The majority of our staff are FAA certified pilots or have completed private pilot ground school, passing the FAA Airman’s Knowledge Test. Our underwriting team operates in two offices to best accommodate the borrower and banks covering both eastern and western time zones.
We enjoy a strong connectivity across the general aviation network to include our close relationships with manufacturers, dealers, pilot associations, industry trade groups and other key service providers. Through our dedication to growth and these relationships, we have built significant brand equity within the aviation landscape. AirFleet consistently exhibits at industry trade shows, is regularly featured as speakers at aircraft ownership seminars, advertises in widely circulated mediums, and invest in our website/online presence to receive real-time feedback from customers. As such, we are able to move quickly on new market intelligence – reacting to risks and taking advantage of new opportunities in the industry. This brand equity coupled with a grass roots focus is critical in deriving referrals from sales networks and being in touch with those on the front-lines of customer needs and industry trends. We do not hesitate to use this knowledge and these relationships to help our banking partners understand aviation specific financing and keep them up to date on any current changes.
In association with this, we adopt the philosophy that the goals of our customers and the aviation industry are aligned with that of our banks, not in opposition. Our focus on quality, rather than rapid growth, protects aircraft buyers and the long-term health of our industry. This philosophy, coupled with our unique understanding of the owner-pilot, helps us create a very strong portfolio for our banks. Given consistent performing assets and a dedication to doing things “the right way”, we believe our business will grow on its own accord.
Our compensation structure is also aligned with buyers, sellers and banks. If our loans do not perform, our compensation stream from that loan also stops. This promotes long-term health of the industry by only getting compensated as others succeed as well. We are proud of our philosophy and the very low historical default rates experienced by our banks along with the trust and confidence earned by our best practices.
Aircraft loans, when structured and administered properly, are some of the most sought after portfolios due to their high performance rate, geographic and demographic diversification, and a full range of successful individuals with very diverse businesses and occupations.