Online Aircraft Equipment Appraisal

What types of aircraft equipment does AppraiseItNow appraise?

AppraiseItNow appraises a wide range of aircraft and aviation-related equipment, covering both complete aircraft and individual components. Common items include:

• Fixed-wing aircraft, including piston, turboprop, and jet aircraft
• Rotorcraft such as helicopters and gyrocopters
• Avionics systems, navigation equipment, and cockpit instrumentation
• Aircraft engines and propellers
• Ground support equipment and maintenance tooling
• Simulators, training devices, and aviation-related machinery

Whether you own a single aircraft or a mixed fleet of aviation assets, our appraisers have the market knowledge to value them accurately.

Are your aircraft equipment appraisals USPAP-compliant?

Yes. All AppraiseItNow aircraft equipment appraisals are conducted in full compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, specifically Standards 7 and 8, which govern personal property and machinery appraisals. Standard 7 requires thorough problem identification including intended use, effective date, and property characteristics, while Standard 8 mandates clear reporting of analysis and conclusions without misleading information. Our reports include USPAP certifications and are defensible for IRS filings, insurance purposes, litigation, and financial reporting.

What are common reasons someone needs an aircraft equipment appraisal?

There are many situations that call for a professional, certified aircraft equipment appraisal. Common reasons include:

• Insurance coverage determination and claims
• Financing, asset-based lending, and SBA loan collateral
• IRS charitable donation reporting on Form 8283 for contributions over $5,000
• Estate tax reporting on Form 706
• Divorce and equitable distribution proceedings
• Bankruptcy filings and litigation support
• Mergers, acquisitions, and transactional due diligence
• Liquidation planning, including orderly and forced disposition scenarios

Can you appraise aircraft equipment in poor condition, with unknown provenance, or with limited documentation?

Yes. Appraisers assess aircraft equipment across a full range of conditions, including assets with incomplete logbooks, uncertain maintenance histories, or missing FAA records. While thorough documentation such as logbooks, maintenance records, and FAA registration verification strengthens a valuation, appraisers are trained to work with available evidence and adjust their analysis accordingly using market data and comparable sales. The appraiser will note any limitations in scope and explain how they affected the conclusions in the final report.

Can you appraise large collections or multiple aircraft and aviation assets?

Yes. AppraiseItNow regularly handles multi-asset aviation projects, including mixed fleets, component inventories, and collections of aviation equipment. Whether you have a small set of assets or a large inventory spanning dozens of items, we can scope the engagement appropriately and coordinate the right resources. For larger inventories, onsite inspections are often recommended to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Do you provide online or remote aircraft equipment appraisals?

Most aircraft equipment appraisals are completed remotely using photographs, documentation, and market data, making the process fast and convenient regardless of where your equipment is located. For larger projects, complex assets, or situations where a physical inspection is required by scope or intended use, we can coordinate an in-person appraiser anywhere in the United States. Our team will recommend the appropriate approach based on your specific assets and appraisal purpose.

How much does a aircraft equipment appraisal cost?

Pricing depends on the number of assets, their complexity, and the intended use of the appraisal. Standard appraisals for insurance, internal planning, estate distribution, and probate start at $295, while advanced appraisals for IRS filings, charitable contributions, M&A due diligence, litigation support, bankruptcy, and transactional uses start at $395. Volume pricing tiers are as follows:

• 1 item: $295 to $595 for a single aircraft or equipment piece
• 10 items: $995 to $3,000 for a small fleet or mixed aviation equipment set
• 50 or more items: $5,000 to $10,000 and up for larger inventories, frequently completed in person

All fees are quoted as a fixed price before work begins so there are no surprises.

Do you offer discounted pricing for large volumes?

Yes. Volume pricing is available for fleets and larger aviation equipment inventories. As shown in the tiers above, the per-item cost decreases significantly as the number of assets increases. For projects involving 50 or more items, pricing is customized based on scope and is frequently completed with an onsite inspection. Contact AppraiseItNow directly to discuss your project and receive a tailored quote.

How long does an aircraft equipment appraisal take?

Most remote aircraft equipment appraisals are completed within 7 to 10 business days from the time all required information and documentation are received. Onsite inspections or larger multi-asset projects typically take 2 to 3 weeks to complete. Rush service is available for same-day or next-day turnaround upon request if your situation requires an expedited timeline.

Who prepares the appraisal report?

Appraisal reports are prepared by credentialed machinery and equipment appraisers with specific knowledge of aviation assets and their markets. AppraiseItNow's team includes appraisers holding designations from recognized professional organizations, and all reports are reviewed to ensure they meet USPAP Standards 7 and 8 requirements. The Competency Rule under USPAP requires that appraisers only accept assignments for which they have the relevant market and equipment knowledge, so you can be confident the right expert is assigned to your project.

Do you prepare appraisals for IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions)?

Yes. When aircraft equipment with a fair market value of $5,000 or more is donated to a qualifying organization, IRS rules require a qualified appraisal attached to Form 8283 to substantiate the deduction. AppraiseItNow prepares USPAP-compliant appraisals that meet the IRS definition of a qualified appraisal, including the required appraiser certifications and detailed property descriptions. Our advanced appraisal tier, starting at $395, covers charitable contribution filings.

Do you buy, sell, or broker aircraft equipment?

No. AppraiseItNow is an independent appraisal firm and does not buy, sell, or broker aircraft equipment in any capacity. This independence is essential to producing unbiased, credible valuations that are accepted by the IRS, lenders, insurers, and courts. Engaging a party with a financial interest in the transaction to provide an appraisal can result in reports that are challenged or disallowed entirely.

What information do you need to get started?

To begin an aircraft equipment appraisal, it helps to have the following information ready:

• Make, model, year, and serial number of each aircraft or component
• Total airframe hours and hours since overhaul for engines and props
• Available logbooks and maintenance records
• FAA registration documentation
• Photographs of the airframe, cockpit, engines, and any notable condition issues
• A description of any recent upgrades, modifications, or damage history
• The intended use of the appraisal, such as insurance, IRS filing, financing, or sale

Providing as much detail as possible upfront allows the appraiser to scope the engagement accurately and deliver results faster.

Can AppraiseItNow appraise aircraft equipment located anywhere in the U.S.?

Yes. Remote appraisals are available for aircraft equipment located in any state, making it easy to get a certified valuation without scheduling an in-person visit. For larger fleets, complex assets, or projects where a physical inspection is necessary, AppraiseItNow can coordinate an in-person appraiser in any state across the country. There are no geographic restrictions on our services.

Will my appraisal be accepted by the IRS, insurers, or courts?

AppraiseItNow appraisals are USPAP-compliant and prepared by qualified appraisers, meeting the standards required by the IRS for tax filings, insurance carriers for coverage and claims, lenders for asset-based financing, and courts for litigation and expert witness purposes. USPAP-certified reports have been upheld under substantial legal scrutiny, while non-certified opinions have been characterized as effectively meaningless in legal proceedings. Our reports include sealed certificates, detailed inventories, and full USPAP certifications to ensure they hold up in any intended use.

Is an aircraft equipment appraisal the same as a mechanical inspection or airworthiness review?

No, and this distinction matters significantly. A USPAP appraisal is a value inspection, not a mechanical inspection. The appraiser evaluates condition only as it relates to market value, examining the airframe, engines, avionics, and systems for value-relevant factors rather than certifying airworthiness. If you need an airworthiness determination or a pre-purchase mechanical review, you should hire a licensed Airframe and Powerplant mechanic separately from your appraisal.

How do appraisers determine value for aircraft equipment, and what databases do they use?

Appraisers do not simply look up a number in a book or software program. They conduct a market-adjusted analysis using recent sales records, auction results, active listings, and proprietary aviation databases, then apply one or more recognized approaches: the market approach using adjusted comparable sales, the cost approach using replacement cost less depreciation, or the income approach when lease data is relevant. The selected methodology depends on the asset type, available data, and intended use of the appraisal, and the reasoning for each choice is documented in the report.

What is the difference between Fair Market Value and Orderly Liquidation Value for aircraft equipment, and when does each apply?

Fair Market Value represents the price a willing buyer and willing seller would agree upon in an arm's-length transaction with no compulsion on either side, and it is the standard used for IRS filings, insurance coverage, and most transactional purposes. Orderly Liquidation Value reflects what the equipment would bring in a reasonable but time-constrained sale, such as a planned auction or wind-down, and is typically lower than Fair Market Value. Forced Liquidation Value goes further, representing an immediate sale under distressed conditions, and is most relevant for bankruptcy proceedings or rapid asset disposition. Knowing which value type your lender, insurer, or legal matter requires before ordering the appraisal ensures you receive a report that is fit for its intended purpose.