Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-431-5970, dhubbard@nbaa.org
Washington, DC, May 12, 2026 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced a new member resource providing a comprehensive introduction to the tax, regulatory and transactional considerations involved in the complex process of acquiring a business aircraft.
The NBAA Aircraft Transactions Guide is designed to highlight the key aspects of a deal, and outline essential elements of a transaction on the path to success.
“Aircraft transactions can be complex, and require coordination of entire teams on both the buyer’s and seller’s side to ensure a smooth transaction,” said NBAA General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Benjamin Schwalen. “No two transactions are identical, but following the time-tested guidance in this members-only publication can help keep your transaction on track.”
The NBAA Aircraft Transactions Guide walks members through every phase of the buying or selling process – from the initial decision, through closing and beyond – with in-depth coverage of:
- Preliminary Considerations: Best practices for assembling the acquisition team and consideration of regulatory/tax issues when developing an aircraft ownership and operating structure.
- Contract and Title Concerns: Details on the letter of intent, title and lien searches, aircraft purchase agreement and pre-purchase evaluation.
- Closing Process Planning: Strategies for managing the aircraft registration process and dealing with complex issues such as non-citizen trusts.
- Post-Closing Preparation: Checklist to ensure documentation and regulatory requirements are met after the closing.
The NBAA Tax Committee and its Aircraft Transactions Working Group developed this publication with the guidance of some of the industry’s top professionals in aviation tax law, finance and regulatory compliance, ensuring the guide is an authoritative resource and reflects the latest industry best practices. NBAA appreciates the expertise of principal reviewers, David T. Norton of Shackelford, McKinley & Norton, LLP, and Jeff Agur of The VanAllen Group.
In addition to the guide, NBAA provides its members with multiple resources to support aircraft transactions, including detailed information on the use of trusts, guidance on exporting aircraft from the United States and a comprehensive onboarding checklist to streamline the process for new owners.
Additionally, NBAA annually holds the Business Aviation Taxes Seminar and the Aircraft Transactions Workshop to keep industry professionals informed on the latest developments in aviation tax law and provide strategic guidance for navigating the complexities of aircraft acquisition and sales.
The 2026 NBAA Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference is set for Oct. 18-19 in Las Vegas, in conjunction with the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE).
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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.
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