WHO WE SUPPORT

CORE AIRCRAFT ACQUISITION ADVISORY CAPABILITIES

Aircraft Type Selection & Specification Advisory

Choosing the right aircraft type is the first and most consequential decision in any acquisition. A type selection error — an aircraft that is technically capable but operationally unsuited, approved for the wrong category of operation, or incompatible with the operator’s maintenance infrastructure — creates costs and constraints that persist for the entire period of ownership. The commercial pressure to commit to a type quickly, and the commercial interest of manufacturers, brokers and dealers in a particular outcome, make independent type selection advisory one of the most valuable steps an acquirer can take before any purchase commitment.

AACS provides independent type selection advisory that assesses candidate aircraft types against the acquirer’s operational requirements, regulatory approval framework, cost of ownership profile and long-term operational objectives — without commercial affiliation to any manufacturer or dealer.

Services include:

• Operational requirements analysis — defining the mission profile, payload and range requirements, base and destination airfield characteristics, passenger or cargo configuration requirements, and operational environment constraints that will determine type suitability
• Regulatory approval framework assessment — identifying the approval category for the intended operation (CAT, NCC, NCO, SPO) and confirming which aircraft types are eligible under the operator’s existing or proposed approval
• Type comparison advisory — independent assessment of candidate types against operational, regulatory, performance, cost and support criteria without commercial affiliation to any manufacturer or dealer
• Fleet commonality and training cost implications — assessing the training, licensing and simulator implications of type selection for operators managing mixed or growing fleets
• Maintenance support and parts availability assessment — evaluating the depth and accessibility of the maintenance support network for each candidate type, particularly for operations in locations with limited MRO infrastructure
• Cost of ownership modelling — assessing direct and indirect operating costs, scheduled maintenance intervals, engine reserve requirements, and life-limited parts replacement profiles for candidate types
• Second-hand vs new aircraft advisory — independent assessment of the relative merits of new and pre-owned acquisition for the specific operational and financial requirements
• Variant and configuration advisory — assessing the implications of specific configuration choices (avionics standards, cabin layouts, engine variants, performance enhancements) for the intended operation

An aircraft that meets the mission profile but is approved for the wrong category of operation, or that requires a simulator and type rating for which there is a two-year waiting list, is not the right aircraft — however attractive the price. Type selection advisory addresses the full range of factors that determine whether an aircraft will actually work for its intended purpose.

Pre-Purchase Technical Review & Inspection Advisory

The pre-purchase inspection is the primary technical safeguard for any aircraft acquirer. It is the process through which the aircraft’s actual condition is assessed against its represented condition — and the point at which latent airworthiness issues, incomplete maintenance records, undisclosed damage history and non-standard modifications are identified or not identified, depending entirely on the rigour of the review. A pre-purchase inspection that is conducted without independent technical oversight, by a maintenance organisation with a commercial relationship to the seller, or without a properly defined scope is not a safeguard. It is a procedural formality that may produce a misleading picture of the aircraft’s actual condition.

AACS provides independent pre-purchase technical review and inspection advisory, covering the scope definition, oversight and records review dimensions of the pre-purchase process that determine whether the inspection produces a genuinely accurate assessment of the aircraft’s condition.

Services include:

• Pre-purchase inspection scope definition — developing the technical scope of the pre-purchase inspection calibrated to the aircraft type, age, usage history and operational intentions; ensuring the scope addresses the specific risk areas relevant to this acquisition
• Independent technical oversight of the pre-purchase inspection — representing the acquirer’s interests during the inspection, ensuring the scope is executed correctly and findings are accurately assessed
• Maintenance records pre-inspection review — reviewing the aircraft’s technical records before the physical inspection to identify gaps, inconsistencies and areas requiring physical verification
• Airworthiness status assessment — confirming the current Certificate of Airworthiness, Airworthiness Review Certificate, and any operating limitations or special conditions affecting the aircraft’s approval
• AD and SB compliance review — confirming Airworthiness Directive compliance status, including any mandatory Service Bulletins incorporated, and identifying any open ADs approaching compliance threshold
• Life-limited parts status review — confirming back-to-birth traceability and remaining life for all life-limited components on the airframe, engines and landing gear
• Engine condition and history assessment — engine technical records, shop visit history, on-wing time, life-limited parts status and current engine condition indicators
• Damage history and repair review — identifying prior structural repairs, accident history, non-standard modifications and any deferred defects that may affect the aircraft’s airworthiness, value or insurability
• Component and rotable parts traceability review — confirming the certification documentation and traceability of major components and rotable assemblies installed on the aircraft
• Finding assessment and negotiation support — providing independent technical assessment of inspection findings, prioritising by airworthiness significance and value impact, and advising on negotiation strategy and remediation requirements

The pre-purchase inspection is only as valuable as its scope and the independence of its oversight. An inspection conducted by a maintenance organisation selected by the seller, without defined scope and without independent representation, is not a technical safeguard for the acquirer. AACS defines the scope, oversees the execution, and ensures the findings are accurately assessed — from the acquirer’s perspective, not the seller’s.

Airworthiness Status & Technical Records Assessment

The technical records of an aircraft are the documentary foundation of its airworthiness, its maintenance history, and its value. For an acquirer, the records are also the primary means of verifying the aircraft’s represented history — whether the maintenance claimed to have been accomplished was actually accomplished, whether life-limited parts have the history they are represented to have, and whether the aircraft’s airworthiness is genuinely as described.

Records quality issues are one of the most common sources of post-acquisition disputes, unexpected maintenance costs and airworthiness findings. Identifying them before the contract is signed, rather than after, is central to the value of independent acquisition advisory. AACS provides structured technical records assessment as a standalone service and as an integral element of pre-purchase technical review.

Services include:

• Technical records completeness audit — systematic review of the records package against the aircraft’s complete maintenance history; identifying gaps and missing documentation
• Records accuracy review — identifying discrepancies between records, logbooks, work orders and certification documentation; assessing the significance of inconsistencies
• Life-limited parts back-to-birth traceability audit — confirming complete traceability for all life-limited components through the full chain of maintenance certification
• Modification and repair records assessment — reviewing approval documentation for all modifications and structural repairs; confirming the approval basis and identifying any unapproved or undocumented modifications
• Maintenance programme compliance review — confirming that the aircraft’s maintenance programme reflects current manufacturer and regulatory requirements and that compliance can be verified from the records
• Records format and regulatory compliance review — assessing records against the requirements of the applicable regulatory framework and identifying any format deficiencies that could affect airworthiness certification or future operator approval
• Missing records gap analysis and remediation advisory — identifying specific records gaps and advising on the steps available to remediate them before acquisition or the residual risk of proceeding with gaps
• Technical records assessment report — structured written assessment of the records package for use in negotiation, purchase decision and future continuing airworthiness management

Aircraft Import, Export, Registration & Airworthiness Certification

Most aircraft acquisitions involve a change of registration, a change of State of Operator, or both. The process of importing an aircraft into the UK or EASA regulatory framework — or exporting from one framework to another — involves a sequence of technical, regulatory and administrative steps that must be executed correctly to avoid creating airworthiness gaps, authority findings and commercial delays that can significantly disrupt the planned entry into service.

Post-Brexit, the UK/EASA relationship adds a specific complexity for transactions involving aircraft registered or maintained within the EASA framework that are being imported into the UK register, or vice versa. This regulatory interface is not straightforward and is an area where specialist advisory delivers material value by avoiding the errors that cause certification delay.

Services include:

• Export Certificate of Airworthiness advisory — UK CAA and EASA export certification processes, documentation requirements and authority engagement
• Import airworthiness review — assessing the aircraft’s compliance with the importing State’s regulatory requirements and identifying rectification, re-certification or documentation obligations before import CofA can be issued
• UK CAA / EASA regulatory interface advisory — navigating the post-Brexit UK/EASA airworthiness framework interface for transactions crossing between the two frameworks
• Aircraft registration change advisory — managing changes of State of Registry and the airworthiness, documentation and authority notification implications
• ICAO Article 83bis agreement advisory — transfer of continuing airworthiness oversight responsibilities between States of Registry and States of Operator for leased aircraft acquisitions
• Maintenance programme regulatory conversion — transitioning the aircraft’s maintenance programme from one regulatory framework to another on import; identifying the AMP revision and approval steps required
• Pre-import technical compliance gap assessment — identifying the specific airworthiness, documentation and regulatory steps required before import certification can be issued, with a realistic timeline and cost assessment
• Authority liaison support — advising on the authority notification and engagement process and supporting the acquirer through the regulatory steps required for import, registration and entry into service

Post-Brexit, importing an aircraft from an EASA-registered environment into the UK register — or exporting to EASA from the UK — is no longer a straightforward bilateral acceptance process. The regulatory steps required, the documentation that must be produced, and the authority engagement needed have changed significantly. Getting this wrong delays entry into service. Getting it right first time requires current specialist knowledge of both frameworks.

Continuing Airworthiness Management Advisory (CAMO / Part-M)

Every aircraft registered in the UK or EASA regulatory framework requires a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation to manage its airworthiness. For the acquirer, the choice of CAMO arrangement — whether to manage continuing airworthiness within an existing operator approval, contract an independent CAMO, or develop a CAMO capability — has significant operational, regulatory and cost implications that should be evaluated before the acquisition is completed rather than after.

The CAMO is responsible for managing the aircraft’s maintenance programme, ensuring AD and SB compliance, planning and overseeing maintenance events, managing the Airworthiness Review Certificate, and maintaining the technical records. The quality of the CAMO arrangement directly determines the airworthiness of the aircraft and the regulatory standing of its Certificate of Airworthiness. Selecting the right arrangement, and understanding its obligations and costs, is an essential element of acquisition planning.

Services include:

• CAMO arrangement options advisory — independent assessment of the available continuing airworthiness management arrangements for the acquired aircraft: operator-integrated CAMO, contracted independent CAMO, aircraft management operator CAMO
• Independent CAMO selection support — advising on the selection criteria for a contracted CAMO; assessing the capability, scope of approval and quality of candidate organisations
• CAMO contract review — independent review of proposed CAMO contracts from a technical and regulatory perspective; identifying obligations, cost exposure and key provisions
• Continuing airworthiness obligations briefing — plain-language explanation of the owner’s and operator’s continuing airworthiness obligations under Part-M / Part-CAMO for owners and operators new to the regulatory framework
• Maintenance programme review and cost modelling — reviewing the aircraft’s approved maintenance programme and providing a structured forecast of scheduled maintenance costs, engine reserve requirements and life-limited parts replacement obligations over the planned ownership period
• CAMO transition management advisory — managing the technical and administrative steps of transferring the aircraft from the seller’s CAMO arrangement to the acquirer’s CAMO arrangement without airworthiness gaps
• Airworthiness Review Certificate process advisory — explaining and managing the ARC process for newly acquired aircraft including the first ARC under new CAMO management
• CAMO quality and capability assessment — independent assessment of a proposed or existing CAMO arrangement’s competence, scope of approval, quality system and interface with the contracted Part 145 maintenance organisation

Operator Approval & AOC Implications Advisory

For operators acquiring an aircraft to operate under an existing or new Air Operator Certificate, the regulatory implications of the acquisition extend beyond the aircraft itself to the AOC. Aircraft type and variant changes, configuration differences, operational approval limitations, and AOC scope requirements all create regulatory steps that must be planned and completed before the aircraft can enter commercial service. Inadequate planning at acquisition stage frequently results in operational delays, unexpected authority engagement, and additional cost after the purchase is committed.

AACS provides independent advisory on the AOC and operational approval implications of aircraft acquisition, helping operators understand and plan the regulatory steps required for entry into service before they are committed to the acquisition timeline.

Services include:

• AOC scope and operational approval implications review — assessing whether the acquired aircraft type, variant and configuration is within the existing AOC scope or requires AOC variation
• Operational specification and route approval implications — identifying any new operational approvals (ETOPS, RVSM, LVO, PBN) required for the aircraft’s intended operation
• Operations manual revision obligations — identifying the OM-B and related documentation revisions required to introduce a new type or variant into the approved fleet
• Crew training and licensing implications — assessing the type rating, simulator training, differences training and licence requirements for the acquiring operator’s flight crew
• MEL development advisory — identifying the process and timeline for developing and gaining approval for the Minimum Equipment List for the acquired aircraft type and configuration
• Authority notification and approval process management — advising on the sequence and timeline of authority engagement required for AOC variation, type introduction and operational specification amendment
• NCO / NCC regulatory framework advisory — advising private operators and corporate flight departments on the non-commercial complex aircraft regulatory framework applicable to private and corporate aircraft operations
• Fractional ownership and managed fleet regulatory implications — assessing the approval and compliance implications of aircraft acquisition within fractional ownership, managed fleet or dry leasing structures

Aircraft Management Operator Selection & Contract Advisory

Many corporate and private aircraft owners do not manage their aircraft directly — they contract an approved aircraft management operator to provide the management structure, AOC, crew, maintenance oversight and operational infrastructure that the aircraft requires. The selection of a management operator, and the terms of the management agreement, are decisions with significant operational, regulatory, financial and liability consequences that benefit from independent advisory.

The management market includes operators of widely varying quality, regulatory standing and operational capability. An aircraft managed by an operator with an inadequate SMS, unresolved authority findings, or an AOC that does not properly cover the aircraft’s intended configuration is not well-managed — regardless of what the marketing materials suggest. AACS provides independent assessment of aircraft management operators and management contract terms from a technical and regulatory perspective.

Services include:

• Management operator selection advisory — independent technical and regulatory assessment of candidate management operators against defined selection criteria; shortlist development and comparative assessment
• AOC standing review — confirming that the management operator’s AOC covers the aircraft type, configuration and intended operation; reviewing any operational limitations or special conditions
• Regulatory compliance assessment — independent review of the management operator’s compliance culture, authority oversight history, SMS maturity and MOE/OM documentation quality
• Management agreement review — independent review of the proposed management agreement from a technical and regulatory perspective; identifying provisions relevant to airworthiness, maintenance, insurance, liability and owner obligations
• CAMO and maintenance interface review — assessing the management operator’s CAMO arrangement and contracted maintenance organisation and the quality of the interface between them
• Ongoing management quality monitoring — periodic independent review of the management operator’s performance against agreement obligations and regulatory standards for owners requiring ongoing assurance

An aircraft management operator is not simply a commercial contractor — they are the holder of the AOC under which the aircraft operates and the CAMO managing its airworthiness. The owner bears the consequences of the operator’s regulatory failings. Independent selection advisory and contract review is the owner’s primary safeguard against placing an asset and a liability in the hands of an operator whose standards do not match their marketing.

SERVICES AT A GLANCE

THE AACS APPROACH TO AIRCRAFT ACQUISITION ADVISORY

Aircraft acquisition advisory is only genuinely valuable when it is genuinely independent. The information an acquirer receives from a manufacturer’s representative, a broker, a management operator, or a maintenance organisation with a commercial stake in the transaction is not independent advice — however knowledgeable the individual may be. The only advisory that consistently serves the acquirer’s interest is advisory provided by an organisation with no commercial relationship to any other party in the transaction.

AACS has no commercial relationship with any aircraft manufacturer, broker, dealer, lessor, management operator or maintenance organisation. We have provided this advisory for over thirty years across the full range of aircraft categories and regulatory environments. Our assessment of an aircraft’s condition, a CAMO’s capability, or a management operator’s regulatory standing is delivered solely on the basis of the technical and regulatory evidence — with no commercial stake in any particular outcome.

  Entirely independent — no commercial relationships with manufacturers, brokers, dealers, lessors, management operators or maintenance organisations

  Technical assessments grounded in thirty years of direct operational and regulatory experience across all aircraft categories

  Regulatory assessments reflect current UK CAA, EASA and ICAO frameworks — including post-Brexit UK/EASA regulatory divergence

  Pre-purchase inspection oversight conducted with the rigour and scope that genuinely protects the acquirer’s position

  CAMO and management operator assessments address real regulatory standing — not marketing representations

  Every engagement tailored to the specific aircraft type, regulatory environment and acquirer’s operational requirements

DISCUSS YOUR AIRCRAFT ACQUISITION REQUIREMENTS

If you are considering acquiring an aircraft and require independent technical, regulatory or airworthiness advisory, please contact AACS directly.