(800) 949-0401 Apply NowFrom MRO equipment to working capital to fleet financing -- Crestmont Capital moves as fast as your business does.
Aviation businesses face a unique combination of regulatory complexity, asset value considerations, and revenue characteristics that make generic bank lending a poor fit. Here is what sets aviation business financing apart:
Aircraft are among the most precisely documented assets in the world. FAA registry records, airworthiness certificates, maintenance logbooks, and annual inspection records create a paper trail that supports asset-backed lending -- but only when the lender knows how to read and interpret these documents. An aircraft with a clean maintenance history and current avionics is a materially different collateral asset from one with unresolved AD compliance issues. Lenders who don't understand the difference make poor underwriting decisions -- either declining good loans or approving loans against questionable collateral. Crestmont Capital works with aviation lending specialists who understand FAA documentation and aircraft valuation.
Aviation maintenance is not optional -- it is federally mandated. Annual inspections are required for airworthiness. Airworthiness Directives (ADs) require compliance on mandatory timelines regardless of cost. Engine overhauls -- which can cost $25,000 to $75,000 per engine for piston aircraft and $150,000 to $500,000 for turbines -- occur on predictable time or cycle schedules. These are not discretionary expenses that a business can defer. When a mandatory maintenance event arrives, the business needs capital -- period. Fast business loans that fund in 24-72 hours are specifically built for these non-negotiable capital demands.
Flight schools, charter operators, and aerial services businesses experience predictable seasonal revenue patterns. Flight training demand peaks in summer as students pursue ratings and flight time. Charter revenue peaks around holidays and in summer travel season. Agricultural aviation (crop dusting, aerial application) is intensely seasonal -- 90% of annual revenue may arrive in 3-4 months. A business line of credit that can be drawn during off-season months and repaid during peak revenue periods is far more appropriate than a term loan with equal monthly payments that ignore seasonal reality.
FAA Part 135 certification (for charter), Part 141 certification (for flight schools), and Part 145 certification (for maintenance organizations) involve ongoing compliance costs: inspector training, operations manual updates, check airman programs, drug and alcohol testing, and insurance requirements. These compliance costs are unavoidable operating expenses that must be funded alongside the aircraft and equipment that generate revenue.
When a charter company is offered an acquisition of a retiring competitor's aircraft and customer list, or when an FBO wins the fuel concession at a regional airport, the opportunity window is often 30-60 days. Traditional bank lending cannot move that fast. Alternative business financing -- with 24-72 hour approvals -- is the only practical tool for capitalizing on time-sensitive aviation growth opportunities.
Aviation businesses have access to multiple financing structures, each suited to different needs:
Aircraft loans are a specialized form of equipment financing in which the aircraft serves as collateral. Standard terms are 10-20 years for aircraft financing through specialized aviation lenders. Through Crestmont Capital's network, aircraft loans are available from $50,000 to $5 million with terms up to 10 years. Aircraft must have a clean FAA title history, current airworthiness certificate, and acceptable maintenance records. Loan-to-value ratios typically range from 80-90% of appraised value for well-maintained aircraft.
Avionics upgrades -- Garmin G1000 NXi installation ($35,000 to $75,000), ADS-B Out compliance systems ($5,000 to $15,000), autopilot upgrades ($18,000 to $45,000) -- are common capital investments for aviation businesses. Equipment loans for avionics and ground support equipment follow standard equipment financing structures with terms of 24-60 months. Ground support equipment (tugs, fuel trucks, de-icing equipment) is also eligible.
Working capital loans for aviation businesses are unsecured loans based on business bank statement revenue. They are the fastest and most flexible funding tool for operational needs: off-season payroll, fuel cost increases, marketing for new charter routes, compliance-related expenses, or bridging a gap while a large charter invoice clears. Aviation businesses with $25,000/month or more in gross revenue qualify for loan amounts from $25,000 to $750,000 with 6-24 month terms.
A revolving business line of credit is particularly well-suited to seasonal aviation businesses. Flight schools and charter operators draw on the line during slow winter months to cover payroll, hangar fees, and insurance. They repay from peak summer revenue. Lines of $25,000 to $500,000 are available for established aviation businesses with at least 18 months of operating history and consistent annual revenue.
Engine overhaul financing is a specialized application of equipment or working capital financing for aviation businesses. A piston engine overhaul ($25,000 to $75,000) or turbine hot section inspection ($80,000 to $250,000) represents a mandatory, large, lumpy capital demand that arrives on a predictable schedule. Financing these events over 24-48 months rather than paying cash removes the operational risk of being unprepared for a scheduled overhaul. Many aviation businesses pre-plan maintenance financing before the event occurs -- contact Crestmont Capital 60-90 days before a scheduled major maintenance event to ensure financing is in place.
SBA 7(a) loans are available for aviation businesses making large-scale investments: FBO facility acquisition or construction, major fleet expansion, Part 135/141 startup capital, or acquisition of a competitor. SBA loan amounts from $50,000 to $5 million with terms up to 10 years for working capital and equipment. Aviation businesses (NAICS codes 481211, 488190, 488119, 532411) are eligible under SBA size standards.
Aircraft, avionics, working capital, engine overhaul, or expansion -- Crestmont Capital delivers financing that understands aviation. Fast approvals, transparent terms.
Apply Now| Requirement | Equipment/Aircraft Loan | Working Capital | SBA Loan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Time in Business | 18 months | 6 months | 24 months |
| Minimum Monthly Revenue | $15,000 | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Minimum Credit Score | 620 | 580 | 650 |
| FAA Documentation | Required for aircraft | Not required | May be required |
| Approval Time | 2-5 days | 24 hours | 30-90 days |
| Key Documents | Bank stmts, FAA records | Bank statements | Full package |
A Part 135 charter operator in Florida with two Cessna Citation Mustangs and $95,000/month in charter revenue is offered a 2019 Piper M500 at $1.1 million -- a competitor retiring and selling their aircraft plus customer list. The opportunity window is 45 days. He cannot get bank approval in 45 days. He uses a combination of $250,000 in SBA pre-approval (obtained 60 days prior for general expansion purposes) and a $150,000 working capital bridge loan to make the down payment while the aircraft financing package closes over 30 days. The M500 adds $28,000/month in new charter revenue from the acquired customer list within 90 days of closing.
A Part 141 flight school in Texas with 18 aircraft wants to add a Redbird FMX full-motion flight simulator to expand instrument training capacity and reduce aircraft hobbs time on actual simulator-replaceable training. The simulator costs $85,000. Equipment financing at 48 months: approximately $1,950/month. The simulator generates 40 student hours per week at $65/hour: $2,600/week or $10,400/month. Total monthly revenue from the simulator exceeds monthly payment within 30 days of installation. Net positive cash flow: $8,450/month after the loan payment for 48 months.
A fixed-base operator at a regional airport needs to replace aging ground support equipment -- a fuel truck ($145,000), a de-icing cart ($38,000), and a tow tug ($22,000). Total equipment: $205,000. The equipment is mandatory for maintaining the FBO's airport concession agreement. Equipment financing at 60 months: approximately $3,800/month. FBO fuel and handling revenue: $180,000/month. The $3,800 payment is 2.1% of monthly revenue -- a manageable expense that protects a $2.1 million/year revenue stream.
An agricultural aviation (aerial application) operator in Kansas generates $420,000 in revenue during a 4-month application season (April through July) but has 8 months of minimal revenue while maintaining aircraft, completing annual inspections, and training for the next season. Off-season fixed costs: $18,000/month (hangar, insurance, maintenance reserves, minimal payroll). She takes a $144,000 line of credit, draws approximately $18,000/month during the 8-month off-season, then repays from peak-season revenue between May and July. Annual line of credit cost: approximately $12,000 in interest -- a modest cost that preserves the crew and aircraft capability needed for peak-season operations.
Aircraft purchase, avionics upgrade, engine overhaul, working capital, or SBA expansion -- Crestmont Capital delivers aviation financing that moves at the speed your business requires.
Get My Financing Options| Option | Best For | Typical Amount | Term | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Loan | Aircraft purchase | $50K-$5M | Up to 10 yr | 2-5 days |
| Equipment Loan | Avionics, GSE, simulators | $10K-$500K | 24-60 mo | 1-3 days |
| Working Capital | Payroll, fuel, operations | $25K-$750K | 6-24 mo | 24 hours |
| Line of Credit | Seasonal cash flow | $25K-$500K | Revolving | 2-5 days |
| Short-Term Loan | Maintenance, AD compliance | $10K-$250K | 3-18 mo | Same day |
| SBA 7(a) Loan | Major expansion, FBO | $50K-$5M | Up to 10 yr | 30-90 days |
Aviation is not like plumbing or retail -- and your lender needs to understand that. Crestmont Capital has been providing financing to specialized small businesses, including aviation operators, since 2015. Here is why aviation business owners choose us:
Aircraft, avionics, simulators, working capital, or SBA expansion -- Crestmont Capital delivers aviation business financing with fast approvals and transparent terms. Apply today.
Start My ApplicationDisclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Loan terms, interest rates, approval amounts, and eligibility requirements vary based on individual creditworthiness, business financials, FAA certification status, aircraft condition, and other factors. All financing is subject to credit approval. Aircraft financing requires FAA title search and asset verification. Crestmont Capital LLC -- Licensed lender. All rights reserved.
