Aircraft Appraisal & Valuation Advisory

Accurate, Independent Valuation Services

In the highly capital-intensive aviation sector, having a precise asset valuation is essential for financing, trading, and risk management. As a leading Aircraft Appraiser and Engine Appraiser, Voler Haut Aviation provides independent appraisals of commercial aircraft and engines. We conduct our valuations in strict conformity with the International Valuation Standards and align with the ethical guidelines of recognized industry bodies like the American Society of Appraisers.

Our appraisal services are trusted by banks, lessors, airlines, and institutional investors worldwide. Whether you are facilitating a cross-border aircraft transaction, updating the book value of your fleet for an annual audit, or securing asset-backed financing, our certified appraisers deliver objective, third-party opinions of value that stand up to the highest levels of scrutiny.

Understanding Base Value vs. Current Market Value

A key part of aviation appraisal is distinguishing between different definitions of value. At Voler Haut Aviation, we specialize in delivering both Base Value and Current Market Value opinions, tailored to exactly what our clients need.

Base Value reflects the appraiser's opinion of the underlying economic value of an aircraft in an open, unrestricted, stable market environment. It assumes a reasonable balance of supply and demand, and that the aircraft is in an average physical condition, which is typically mid-life or mid-time. Base Value is an idealized metric, frequently used by financiers to assess the long-term worth of an asset, independent of short-term market volatility.

Conversely, Current Market Value represents the anticipated price an asset would command in an actual, immediate transaction. This valuation methodology adjusts the Base Value to account for the aircraft's specific maintenance condition, flight hours, installed equipment, and current macroeconomic dynamics like a temporary oversupply of a specific aircraft type. We utilize proprietary market data, recent sales comparisons, and in-depth technical analysis to determine a highly accurate Current Market Value.

Comprehensive Appraisal Methodologies

Depending on the requirements of the transaction and the accessibility of the asset, we offer three distinct tiers of appraisal services:

1. Desktop Appraisals

A Desktop Appraisal provides a value opinion based on high-level technical data, summary maintenance information, and current market analysis, all without needing a physical inspection of the aircraft or its records. This is a rapid and cost-effective solution often used for portfolio valuations, preliminary financing discussions, or annual financial audits where the general status of the asset is known and assumed to be accurate.

2. Extended Desktop Appraisals

For a more granular view, our Extended Desktop Appraisals incorporate a detailed remote review of the aircraft's maintenance records and electronic logbooks. We analyze the remaining life on major assemblies like landing gear and Life Limited Parts in the engines. By factoring in this specific technical data, we provide a maintenance-adjusted valuation that is significantly more accurate than a standard desktop assumption, without incurring the travel costs of an on-site visit.

3. Full Asset Appraisals

When absolute certainty is required, which typically happens during major acquisitions, lease redeliveries, or distressed asset recovery, we conduct Full Asset Appraisals. This involves deploying our Technical Consultancy team to conduct rigorous physical inspections of the airframe, engines, cabin interior, and avionics suite. Coupled with an exhaustive audit of the original physical records, this methodology ensures that every aspect of the aircraft's condition and compliance status is reflected in the final valuation.

Maintenance-Adjusted Valuations & Sensitivity Analysis

Aircraft value is deeply tied to its maintenance status. A mature engine with freshly overhauled modules is worth millions more than the same engine approaching a major shop visit. We provide Maintenance-Adjusted Valuations that incorporate future maintenance cost exposure. Additionally, we offer scenario and sensitivity analysis, stress-testing the asset's value against different utilization rates, lease structures, and market conditions. This provides investors with a comprehensive understanding of the asset's risk profile over its entire lifecycle.