Current Aircraft Financing Rates

Q: What are current aircraft loan interest rates?

As of mid-2026, aircraft loan rates for well-qualified borrowers start in the mid-to-upper 6% range for certified piston and turboprop aircraft, with light sport and experimental typically running slightly higher. The live rate display above reflects current benchmark rates from FRED (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis) — the same indexes aviation lenders use to price their spread. Your actual rate will be quoted after pre-qualification and depends on aircraft type, loan amount, term, and credit profile.

Q: How do benchmark rates like the T-Bill and SOFR affect my aircraft loan?

Aviation lenders price aircraft loans as a spread above a benchmark rate — typically the 5-Year Treasury or SOFR. When benchmark rates fall, aircraft loan rates tend to follow within 30–90 days. Fixed-rate aircraft loans lock in today's rate for the full loan term, protecting you from future increases. The benchmark rates displayed on this page give you an indicator of where the market is heading before you commit.

Q: Should I choose a fixed or variable rate for my aircraft loan?

Most aircraft buyers choose fixed rates for the predictability — your payment doesn't change regardless of what happens to interest rates over a 15–20 year loan term. Variable rates may start slightly lower but carry the risk of payment increases if benchmark rates rise. In the current environment, most FLYING Finance clients opt for fixed-rate structures for long-term budget certainty.

Q: What factors most affect my aircraft loan rate?

The four biggest factors are: (1) credit score — borrowers at 730+ qualify for Strong-tier pricing and 780+ for Elite-tier pricing; (2) aircraft type and age — late-model composite airframes are most lender-friendly; (3) loan-to-value ratio — a larger down payment reduces lender risk and often unlocks better rates; (4) loan size — larger loans tend to command better rates. Automatic payment enrollment and existing relationships with aviation-focused lenders can also improve your rate by 0.25–0.5%.

Q: Can I refinance my aircraft loan if rates drop?

Yes — aircraft refinancing works similarly to mortgage refinancing. If rates drop meaningfully or your credit profile improves, refinancing into a lower rate can reduce your monthly payment or shorten your term. FLYING Finance handles aircraft refinances with the same speed as purchase financing. A general rule of thumb: refinancing makes sense if you can reduce your rate by 0.75% or more and you have enough remaining loan balance to recover closing costs within 24–36 months. Explore refinancing →

Transparent, market-leading aircraft loan rates for piston, turbine, and light sport acquisitions.

1 Mth T-Bill: 4.02% | 5-Year Treasury: 4.64% | 10-Year Treasury: 4.86% | 30-Day SOFR: 3.88% | WSJ Prime: 7.00%

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

These starting rates are tracked as a dated, versioned Rate Index. View the historical archive · How the Index works

CERTIFIED PISTON

6.50%

*Starting rate. Up to 20-year amortization.

About $1,578/mo on a $250K aircraft

MOSAIC LIGHT SPORT

7.02%

*Starting rate. Up to 20-year amortization.

About $986/mo on a $150K aircraft

EXPERIMENTAL / KIT

7.09%

*Starting rate. Up to 20-year amortization.

About $992/mo on a $150K aircraft

TURBOPROP & JET

6.39%

*Starting rate. Up to 20-year amortization.

About $15,644/mo on a $2.5M aircraft

Payment examples use the starting rate, 15% down and a 20-year term. Your rate depends on the aircraft, the loan and your credit.

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*Displayed rates represent a baseline market average for standard transactions. Factors such as good credit profiles, automated payments, increased down payments and other factors can unlock sharper, preferred-tier pricing. Specialized OEM partner programs may also apply.
Applying starts with a soft credit check, so checking your rate has no impact on your credit score.

How Aircraft Loan Rates Work

What's behind the number.

Aircraft loan rates are not set arbitrarily. The rates are calculated as a margin over benchmark treasury yields, updated as the Federal Reserve moves rates. The rates shown above reflect current market spreads over the 5-year Treasury for standard transactions. A clean credit file, 20%+ down, and a newer aircraft can improve your individual rate from the displayed baseline.

Aircraft financing works a bit differently than a mortgage or auto loan. Lenders underwrite the pilot as much as the aircraft, including total debt-to-income, liquidity, and the collateral quality of the aircraft all factor into your final rate. FLYING Finance works with multiple aviation lenders to match your profile to the institution most likely to offer preferred-tier pricing.

What moves rates down

Rate improvement factors

730+ credit score (780+ for best pricing) · 20%+ down payment · Newer airframe (under 10 years) · Automated payment enrollment · Strong liquidity · Low overall DTI ratio

What moves rates up

Rate pressure factors

Credit score under 680 (Credit Builder program) · Minimum 15% down · Legacy airframe (20+ years) · High DTI ratio · Thin aviation finance history · EAB or experimental category

Loan-to-Value

LTV by category

New certified: up to 85% LTV · Used certified (<10yr): up to 82% LTV · Vintage / legacy: 70–75% LTV · S-LSA: up to 85% LTV · EAB: up to 85% with full build documentation

Soft Pull Pre-Approval

No credit impact to start

Pre-approval uses a soft credit pull — no impact to your score. The hard pull only occurs at final loan commitment. Pre-approval locks your rate for 30 days and gives you 90 days to find the aircraft.

Representative Payment Examples · Current Rates · 15% Down · 20-Year Term

Aircraft

Price

Down

Rate

Mo. Payment

Cirrus SR22T G6

Certified piston · New

$785,000

$117,750

See rates page

~$5,169/mo

Piper M350

Certified piston · New

$1,300,000

$195,000

See rates page

~$8,560/mo

Daher TBM 960

Turboprop · New

$4,200,000

$630,000

See rates page

~$27,914/mo

Cirrus Vision Jet G2+

Light jet · New

$2,900,000

$435,000

See rates page

~$19,274/mo

Monthly payments are estimates based on current starting rates shown above, 15% down, 20-year term, approved credit. Actual rate depends on credit profile, aircraft age, LTV, and lender selection. Use the calculator for precise figures.

Amelia · FLYING Finance AI Specialist

Amelia

FLYING Finance AI Specialist · Aircraft Loan Rates

"Rates are one number. Your rate is a different number. Ask me what the spread looks like for your specific aircraft, credit profile, and down payment — I'll tell you where you'll likely land."

What rate can I expect with a 740 credit score?

How does 20% down affect my rate vs 15%?

Do rates differ for a 1998 Bonanza vs a new DA40?

What's the rate on a used TBM 850?

How often do aircraft loan rates change?

AMELIA · ONLINE

The rates above are market starting points. Your actual rate depends on your credit, your aircraft, and your down payment. Ask me where you'll land.

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The Underwriter's Brief · November 2026

What lenders are watching right now

Every rate on this page starts from the 5-year Treasury. Treasuries led rates lower after the 2023 peak and have drifted back up this fall, so starting rates move with them. On the loans we closed, the median spread over the Treasury has narrowed over the past two years; our Deal Index tracks it quarter by quarter.

Lender appetite is strongest for late-model certified aircraft with clean logbooks. Older airframes, experimental and light sport aircraft still finance well, but lenders look harder at the aircraft's records and the borrower's overall financial picture.

Planning to put an aircraft in service before December 31? Year-end closings fill up quickly. Get pre-approved now; it takes 1 to 2 business days and starts with a soft credit pull.

Do more research

The Underwriter's Brief

The Federal Reserve stabilized baseline rates in early 2026. As of Summer 2026, we are seeing aggressive appetite for late-model composite airframes from modern manufacturers and legacy airframes such as the Cessna 182.

While liquidity remains high for premium borrowers, underwriting guidelines for legacy airframes and experimental or light sport aircraft require both financial and aircraft experience. Our proprietary network of aviation lenders allows us to secure fixed-rate loans with generous terms and amortization schedules.

Need to do more Research?

Personalize These Rates

The rate above is a starting point. Your rate depends on your aircraft and credit profile.

Answer four questions and we match you to the exact program that fits your situation — not a range, not a floor. Live rates, specific structure, and a clear next step.

Find My Rate →

Aircraft Loan Rates — Common Questions

How rates work and what affects your actual quote.

What are current aircraft loan interest rates?

As of mid-2026, aircraft loan rates for well-qualified borrowers start in the mid-to-upper 6% range for certified piston and turboprop aircraft, with light sport and experimental typically running slightly higher. The live rate display above reflects current benchmark rates from FRED (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis) — the same indexes aviation lenders use to price their spread. Your actual rate will be quoted after pre-qualification and depends on aircraft type, loan amount, term, and credit profile.

How do benchmark rates like the T-Bill and SOFR affect my aircraft loan?

Aviation lenders price aircraft loans as a spread above a benchmark rate — typically the 5-Year Treasury or SOFR. When benchmark rates fall, aircraft loan rates tend to follow within 30–90 days. Fixed-rate aircraft loans lock in today's rate for the full loan term, protecting you from future increases. The benchmark rates displayed on this page give you an indicator of where the market is heading before you commit.

Should I choose a fixed or variable rate for my aircraft loan?

Most aircraft buyers choose fixed rates for the predictability — your payment doesn't change regardless of what happens to interest rates over a 15–20 year loan term. Variable rates may start slightly lower but carry the risk of payment increases if benchmark rates rise. In the current environment, most FLYING Finance clients opt for fixed-rate structures for long-term budget certainty.

What factors most affect my aircraft loan rate?

The four biggest factors are: (1) credit score — borrowers at 730+ qualify for Strong-tier pricing and 780+ for Elite-tier pricing; (2) aircraft type and age — late-model composite airframes are most lender-friendly; (3) loan-to-value ratio — a larger down payment reduces lender risk and often unlocks better rates; (4) loan size — larger loans tend to command better rates. Automatic payment enrollment and existing relationships with aviation-focused lenders can also improve your rate by 0.25–0.5%.

Can I refinance my aircraft loan if rates drop?

Yes — aircraft refinancing works similarly to mortgage refinancing. If rates drop meaningfully or your credit profile improves, refinancing into a lower rate can reduce your monthly payment or shorten your term. FLYING Finance handles aircraft refinances with the same speed as purchase financing. A general rule of thumb: refinancing makes sense if you can reduce your rate by 0.75% or more and you have enough remaining loan balance to recover closing costs within 24–36 months. Explore refinancing →

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