The new resource outlines regulatory, tax and contractual considerations across the aircraft buying and selling process, supported by legal and industry experts.
The NBAA has launched a new member resource providing an overview of tax, regulatory and transactional considerations involved in the acquisition of business aircraft.
The NBAA Aircraft Transactions Guide is designed to highlight the key aspects of a deal and outline considerations across the transaction lifecycle, including preliminary considerations such as best practices for assembling an acquisition team and assessing regulatory and tax issues when developing an aircraft ownership and operating structure. It also covers contract and title matters, including letters of intent, title and lien searches, aircraft purchase agreements and pre-purchase evaluation, as well as closing process planning such as managing aircraft registration and addressing complex issues including non-citizen trusts. Post-closing preparation is also included, with checklists to ensure all documentation and regulatory requirements are met after completion.
“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,” says 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.”
The NBAA Tax Committee and its Aircraft Transactions Working Group developed the publication with input from professionals in aviation tax law, finance and regulatory compliance, with principal reviewers including David T. Norton of Shackelford, McKinley & Norton, LLP, and Jeff Agur of The VanAllen Group.
Alongside the guide, NBAA provides members with additional resources supporting aircraft transactions, including guidance on the use of aircraft trusts, advice on exporting aircraft from the US and a comprehensive onboarding checklist to streamline the process for new owners.
NBAA also runs the Business Aviation Taxes Seminar and the Aircraft Transactions Workshop, providing updates on aviation tax law and guidance on aircraft acquisition and sales. The 2026 NBAA Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference will take place on 18-19 October in Las Vegas, alongside the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).
