The Four Pillars
What lenders actually underwrite
Aircraft lenders aren't just evaluating your ability to make payments. They're evaluating the risk profile of the loan across four dimensions — and your strength in each one influences your rate, your terms, and whether you get approved at all.
Pillar 01 · Credit
680+
Minimum FICO for most lenders. 720+ qualifies for preferred pricing. Aviation lenders look at the full credit story — not just the number.
Pillar 02 · Down Payment
15–20%
15% minimum for strong profiles on certified aircraft. 20%+ improves your rate and signals commitment to the lender.
Pillar 03 · Debt-to-Income
< 43%
Total monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income. Aircraft loan payment is included. 36% or below is the comfortable zone.
Pillar 04 · Liquidity
6–18 mo.
Lenders want to see 6–18 months of loan payments in accessible reserves in addition to your down payment and closing costs. This is often the most overlooked pillar.
Self-Assessment
Where do you stand?
Answer four questions to get a quick read on your qualification profile. No information is submitted — this is entirely in-browser.
Qualification Tiers
The three borrower profiles
Aviation lenders don't think in terms of approved/denied. They think in tiers — and which tier you land in determines your rate, your down payment requirement, and which lenders will compete for your business.
| Profile |
Credit |
Down |
Rate Access |
Status |
Preferred
720+ FICO, strong DTI, 6+ months reserves, clean credit history |
720+ |
15–20% |
Starting rate |
Best terms |
Standard
680–719 FICO — what's driving the score matters. High balances, high utilization, or lots of open installment loans are workable. Public filings — collections, judgments, or recent bankruptcies — are a harder conversation. |
680–719 |
20%+ |
+0.25–0.75% |
Case-dependent |
Conditional
Below 680, or recent derogatory marks. Larger down payment and strong liquidity can help, but options narrow meaningfully. |
Below 680 |
25–30%+ |
Case by case |
Harder path |
The Full Checklist
Before you apply
Work through this list before submitting an application. The more boxes you can check, the stronger your position and the faster your file moves through underwriting.
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✓
Credit score 680 or above
Pull your score before you apply. Pre-approval uses a soft pull — no impact to your score. The hard pull happens only at final loan commitment.
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✓
Down payment funds liquid and verified
Your down payment needs to be in an accessible account — not tied up in stocks or assets that need to be liquidated. Lenders typically require 60-day bank statements to verify seasoned funds.
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✓
6–18 months reserves beyond down payment
After you've paid down payment and closing costs, you should still have 6–18 months of estimated loan payments in accessible savings. This is separate from and in addition to your down payment.
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✓
Three years of tax returns available
W-2 employees may need two to three years. Self-employed borrowers need three years of full personal and business returns. Have them ready — uploading them early speeds up underwriting significantly.
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✓
DTI under 43% including the new payment
Add your estimated monthly aircraft payment to all existing monthly debt obligations, then divide by gross monthly income. This calculation should come in under 43% — and 36% or below is where the comfortable zone starts.
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✓
Valid pilot certificate
A current, valid pilot certificate is required for most aircraft loan programs. The certificate must be appropriate for the category of aircraft being financed. Student pilots, non-pilot owners, and partnership structures have their own requirements — mention your situation early.
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General aircraft category and vintage in mind
You don't need a specific tail number for pre-approval, but knowing the general category (certified piston, LSA, EAB, turboprop) and approximate vintage helps us match you to the right lender program from the start. An RV-14 and a Citation have very different underwriting paths.
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!
Entity documents ready (if applicable)
If the aircraft will be held in an LLC, trust, or other entity, have your Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement, and EIN ready before you apply. Entity-held aircraft financing requires these documents before underwriting can begin — having them ready prevents delays.
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Insurance quote in progress
Lenders require evidence of insurance before closing. Getting a quote early surfaces any surprises — particularly for high-performance, complex, or experimental aircraft where insurance requirements can affect the total monthly cost picture.
Pre-Approval · Soft Pull Only
Find out where you stand in 2 business days
Our pre-approval uses a soft credit pull — no impact to your score. You'll know your rate range, down payment requirement, and purchasing range before you make an offer on any aircraft.
Common Questions
What borrowers ask us
Does applying affect my credit score?
Pre-approval uses a soft pull — no impact to your score. The hard pull happens only at final loan commitment, when you've selected a specific aircraft and are ready to close. Most borrowers complete the full process without any credit impact until the very end.
Can I get approved if I'm self-employed?
Yes — aviation lenders work with self-employed borrowers regularly. You'll typically need three years of personal and business tax returns, a current year-to-date P&L, and business bank statements. Strong liquidity and a low DTI offset the documentation complexity. The key is having clean, complete returns — not having gaps or inconsistencies that require a lot of explanation.
What if my credit score is below 680 or my credit history has some bumps?
The story behind the score matters as much as the number itself. A borrower who went through a divorce or a medical event that temporarily derailed their credit is a very different file from someone who simply didn't prioritize their obligations. We understand life happens — and lenders do too. What we look for is the full picture: what caused the issue, is it resolved, and does the rest of the financial profile show stability and capacity? A larger down payment and strong reserves can compensate for a difficult period in ways that a raw credit score doesn't capture. Have the conversation — don't assume.
Does the aircraft type affect my financing options?
Significantly. Certified aircraft with clean maintenance records are the most straightforward to finance. LSA and completed EABs with full documentation (builder logs, DAR signoff, current condition inspection) can qualify with the right lenders. Aircraft category also affects which lenders are available: a newer Cirrus SR22T has more lender options than a 1965 Cessna 182 or an experimental with a homebuilt engine. Aircraft that need work — deferred maintenance, approaching TBO, or airworthiness concerns — can often be financed with the repair costs folded into the loan, but that requires early disclosure. The earlier you describe the aircraft, the better we can route your file.
How long does the full process take?
Pre-approval in 2 business days from a complete file. Full closing — including pre-buy inspection, appraisal, and underwriting — typically runs 10–14 days from an accepted offer. Time-sensitive deals, such as aircraft found at Oshkosh or Sun 'n Fun, can often be expedited. Having your documentation ready before you start shopping is the single biggest factor in how fast your deal closes.
Next Steps
Ready to move forward?
