Amy Wilder is a private pilot with more than two decades of experience as a writer and editor in a career spanning journalism, marketing, and communications. 
She has worked in aviation journalism since 2023, combining a lifelong passion for flight and a love of the aviation community with a penchant for storytelling. As a licensed pilot, she brings firsthand insight to the stories she covers, lending an authentic, on-the-ground perspective to industry coverage.
She holds a Master of Arts in Eastern Classics and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts, both from St. John&#039;s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Culture.

Writer

Amy Wilder

Aircraft financing has evolved from a simple purchase mechanism into a strategic tool shaping capital allocation, ownership flexibility, risk management, and long-term asset value, according to a panel of four lenders convened by the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA). The panel, summarized in a new white paper, found that buyers today have a wider range of financing options than a decade ago, loan structure can matter as much as interest rate in shaping ownership costs, and buyers should seek guidance in the aircraft purchase process.
“There are 150 different platforms in operation today in business aviation. You cannot paint all of that with a single loan-to-value or valuation lens,” said panelist Ben Hockenberg of JSSI. He added that “focusing solely on rates is probably only half the picture. Structure is the other half.”
Despite geopolitical uncertainty and inflation concerns, panelists said demand has remained strong, particularly among ultra-high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and fleet operators. As aircraft transactions increasingly cross borders, buyers face legal, tax, and regulatory complexities that specialized financing structures are built to address.&nbsp;
The panel was moderated by Mesinger Jet Sales v-p Josh Mesinger and, in addition to Ben Hockenberg of JSSI, included Patrick Gentile of PNC Financial Services Group, Sarah Yarnes of First American Equipment Finance, and Mike Christie of Global Jet Capital. Each described a different lending approach: PNC offers credit- and asset-based, non-recourse loans; JSSI evaluates transactions primarily through aircraft value, maintenance history, and resale prospects rather than borrower strength; First American centers underwriting on sponsor quality and financial strength; and Global Jet Capital operates as a long-term equity investor through leasing structures.
Gentile said current aircraft financing rates range from the high-4% area for investment-grade transactions to the mid-6% range for more specialized, asset-based structures.
Panelists pointed to persistent inventory constraints and OEM backlogs as reasons buyers should begin financing conversations before identifying a specific aircraft. “When the right airplane becomes available, sometimes you have to move on a moment’s notice,” Mesinger said.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Aircraft Financing Has Evolved Beyond a Buying Mechanism, IADA Panel Says

Buyers urged to seek guidance, consider financing before finding an aircraft

IADA panelists say aircraft financing has evolved into a strategic tool shaping ownership flexibility, capital allocation, and long-term asset value.

IADA Panel: Financing Has Evolved Beyond a Buying Tool

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

Howard Hardee

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Boeing takes nearly 20% stake and a board seat in all-stock deal

Archer To Acquire Wisk, Insitu, and SkyGrid from Boeing

Curt Epstein

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

County changed its rules on time spent in California

L.A. County Tightens Tax Rules on Out-of-state Aircraft

Overall preowned transactions rose 11.2% in second quarter

Preowned Heavy Jets Post Q2 Value Gains Amid Price Drop

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Private flight group's Signature members doubled in first half, topping 1,200

Mixed Results Leave Wheels Up Striving for Net Profits

Dealer confidence rating improves from year-ago quarter

IADA Q2 Report Shows Tight Inventory, Strong Sales

Trappier cites renewed Asian interest in Falcon business jet market

Dassault 1H Revenue Nears €4.2B; Falcon Sales Rebound

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

In this article

JSSI (Jet Support Services Inc.)

Mesinger Jet Sales

PNC Financial

Global Jet Capital

More In Finance, Taxes, Insurance

Archer To Acquire Wisk, Insitu, and SkyGrid from Boeing

Boeing takes nearly 20% stake and a board seat in all-stock deal

L.A. County Tightens Tax Rules on Out-of-state Aircraft

County changed its rules on time spent in California

Preowned Heavy Jets Post Q2 Value Gains Amid Price Drop

Overall preowned transactions rose 11.2% in second quarter

Mixed Results Leave Wheels Up Striving for Net Profits

Private flight group's Signature members doubled in first half, topping 1,200

IADA Q2 Report Shows Tight Inventory, Strong Sales

Dealer confidence rating improves from year-ago quarter

Dassault 1H Revenue Nears €4.2B; Falcon Sales Rebound

Trappier cites renewed Asian interest in Falcon business jet market

U.S. Aerospace Chases Supply-chain Stability

AIA chief warns budget swings still threaten suppliers

Wheels Up Fleet Transition Completed Early by 5x5

Transition involved nearly 100 aircraft since early 2024

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN