Aircraft Appraisal Coverage & Methodology

OakTree Aviation Services (OTAS) provides independent aircraft appraisal services for general aviation and business aviation aircraft, with valuation reports prepared for reliance by lenders, legal counsel, fiduciaries, and owners.

Our appraisal practice is structured around intended use, intended users, and scope of work, with assignments developed in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and supported by PAAO analytical methodology. 

This page describes our appraisal coverage, valuation methodology, and how our services are organized by intended use.

Appraisal Services Are Organized

Aircraft appraisal assignments are most effectively understood when organized by intended use, rather than by aircraft type alone. Banks, attorneys, fiduciaries, and aircraft owners rely on appraisals for different purposes, each with distinct reporting and documentation requirements.

Primary intended uses include:

• Bank financing, refinancing, and collateral review
• Estate, trust, and fiduciary reporting
• Divorce and marital property division
• Litigation support and dispute resolution
• IRS‑compliant donation and tax‑related reporting
• Ownership planning, purchase decisions, and partner buy‑outs

Each appraisal assignment clearly identifies its intended use and intended users to help ensure the valuation conclusion is appropriate, defensible, and suitable for reliance.

(Where possible, turn the first three bullets into links to your Bank Financing, Estate & Legal, and IRS‑Donation pages.)

Appraisal Options and Standards

Depending on the assignment’s requirements, we provide both USPAP‑compliant aircraft appraisals and certified non‑USPAP reports.

• USPAP‑compliant appraisals are typically used for higher‑reliance assignments such as lending, estate and divorce matters, litigation, and IRS‑related reporting.
• Certified non‑USPAP reports are used where a client does not require a full USPAP report but still needs a professionally prepared opinion of value supported by on‑site inspection and market data.

In all cases, assignments are supported by PAAO analytical methodology to identify the intended use, intended users, scope of work, and effective date. All assignments include on‑site inspection and full records review; we do not provide “desktop” or no‑inspection opinions of value.

Valuation Risk and Market Conditions

Aircraft value is influenced by market behavior, liquidity, and risk factors that vary by aircraft category and condition. Certain valuation issues require specific analysis beyond baseline pricing or guidebook references.

Valuation risk topics include:

• Damage history and diminution of value
• Heavily modified or STC‑equipped aircraft
• High‑time airframes and engines
• Program participation (engine, APU, and airframe support plans)
• Liquidity, time‑to‑sale, and buyer pool depth

When present, damage history is evaluated based on the nature of the event, the quality of repairs, the completeness of documentation, and the observed market reaction. Any adjustments are supported by market evidence rather than generalized assumptions.

Aircraft Categories Covered

Our appraisal coverage includes the following aircraft categories:

• High‑performance single‑engine piston aircraft
• High‑performance multi‑engine piston aircraft
• Turboprop aircraft
• Light, mid‑size, and large‑cabin business jets

Our practice is limited to general aviation and business aviation aircraft. We do not provide appraisal services for commercial airliners or airline fleet assets.

Appraisal Methodology and Standards

All appraisal assignments are developed in compliance with USPAP, with transparent documentation of:

• Scope of work
• Effective date
• Market conditions and context
• Data sources and market evidence
• Extraordinary assumptions or hypothetical conditions, when applicable

Valuation conclusions are based on observed market behavior, current transaction data, and aircraft‑specific characteristics rather than automated pricing models or unsupported benchmarks.

Geographic Execution

While our appraisal methodology is applied consistently, geographic considerations—such as inspection logistics, regional market conditions, and aircraft availability—are addressed when they are relevant to the assignment.

Local inspection capability and regional familiarity are often critical for bank and legal reliance, particularly when the lender, attorney, or fiduciary is located outside the subject aircraft's region.

We perform on‑site aircraft inspections throughout California, including Southern California, and support aircraft appraisal assignments nationwide.

Relationship to Other Pages

This page describes our overall appraisal coverage and methodology.

Appraisal services organized by intended use are addressed on the following pages:

• Bank Financing Appraisals
• Estate, Trust, Divorce & Litigation Appraisals
• IRS‑Compliant Donation Appraisals

Geographic appraisal availability is addressed under Service Areas.

Closing

Each appraisal assignment is developed independently, with valuation conclusions supported by documented market evidence and professional judgment appropriate to the intended use and intended users of the appraisal.

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