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Ferry Flight USA

Aircraft Buyers

Buying an Airplane Anywhere in the USA? We Help With Pre-Buy Repositioning, Closing-Day Logistics & Delivery to Your Home Airport

Aircraft Ferry Services for Aircraft Buyers

Found the right aircraft—but it is hundreds or thousands of miles away?

Ferry Flight USA helps aircraft buyers manage the movement of an airplane before, during and after the purchase process.

We coordinate professional aircraft ferry and delivery services throughout the United States for buyers purchasing:

  • Piston single-engine aircraft
  • Piston twins
  • Complex aircraft
  • High-performance aircraft
  • Pressurized aircraft
  • Selected light jets
  • Selected midsize business jets
  • Other qualifying aircraft

Whether you need the aircraft moved to an independent pre-buy facility before closing, delivered directly to your home airport afterward, or repositioned to a maintenance, avionics or paint shop first, Ferry Flight USA can help coordinate the flight.

Buy the Right Airplane — Not Just the Closest Airplane.

GET AN AIRCRAFT BUYER DELIVERY QUOTE


Buying an Aircraft Somewhere Else?

Aircraft buyers rarely have the luxury of finding the perfect airplane at their home airport.

The right aircraft may be located:

  • 200 miles away
  • Several states away
  • On the other side of the country
  • At a broker’s facility
  • At a dealership
  • At a private seller’s airport
  • At a pre-buy shop
  • At a maintenance facility

That should not automatically eliminate the aircraft from consideration.

Professional ferry support allows buyers to search nationally rather than limiting the search to airplanes they can easily pick up themselves.


Aircraft Buyer Ferry Services

Ferry Flight USA supports aircraft buyers throughout the physical-movement side of an aircraft transaction.

That may include:

  • Moving the aircraft to a pre-buy inspection
  • Returning it to the seller after inspection
  • Moving it to maintenance before closing
  • Delivering it after closing
  • Taking it directly to an avionics shop
  • Taking it directly to a paint facility
  • Delivering it to a flight school
  • Delivering it to an aircraft management company
  • Delivering it to your home airport

The exact route depends on the purchase.


Your Aircraft Purchase May Involve More Than One Flight

A buyer sometimes assumes the aircraft simply needs to travel:

Seller → Buyer

But many real transactions are more complicated.

A purchase may look like:

Seller → Pre-Buy Facility → Buyer

or:

Seller → Pre-Buy Facility → Maintenance Shop → Buyer

or:

Seller → Closing → Avionics Shop → Buyer

or:

Seller → Paint Shop → Buyer

Ferry Flight USA can help coordinate the aircraft movement at each stage.


Newly Purchased Aircraft Delivery

Once the transaction closes, the most common buyer request is simple:

Get My Airplane Home.

Ferry Flight USA can coordinate aircraft delivery from:

  • Seller
  • Broker
  • Dealer
  • Pre-buy facility
  • Maintenance shop
  • Storage facility

to:

  • Your home airport
  • Your hangar
  • Your flight school
  • Your flying club
  • Your aircraft management company
  • Another destination you select

Your existing Newly Purchased Aircraft Delivery service is specifically designed for this final stage of the transaction.

EXPLORE NEWLY PURCHASED AIRCRAFT DELIVERY


Buying an Aircraft Out of State

Buying an aircraft outside your home state is extremely common.

The used aircraft market is national.

A buyer looking for a specific:

  • Make
  • Model
  • Year
  • Engine time
  • Avionics package
  • Maintenance history
  • Paint
  • Interior
  • Equipment
  • Price range

may need to search far beyond the local market.

For example:

A Florida buyer might find the right airplane in California.

A Texas buyer may find the right airplane in Ohio.

A New York buyer may purchase an airplane in Arizona.

Professional aircraft delivery helps remove geography from the buying decision.


Don’t Limit Your Aircraft Search to Your Home State

If you only shop locally, you may miss an aircraft with:

  • Better maintenance history
  • Lower engine time
  • Better avionics
  • Better damage history
  • Better paint
  • Better interior
  • Better equipment
  • Better price
  • More complete records

Instead of buying the closest aircraft, you can search for the aircraft that best fits your requirements.

Then Ferry Flight USA can help solve the transportation problem.

Search Nationwide. Buy the Right Aircraft. Let Us Help Bring It Home.


Pre-Buy Inspection Repositioning for Aircraft Buyers

One of the most important parts of many aircraft purchases is the pre-purchase inspection.

The buyer may not want the inspection performed by the seller’s regular mechanic.

Instead, the buyer may choose:

  • Independent A&P/IA
  • Type-specific specialist
  • Manufacturer service center
  • Engine specialist
  • Independent maintenance facility

That shop may be located at another airport.

Ferry Flight USA can help move the aircraft:

Seller → Buyer-Selected Pre-Buy Facility

After the inspection, the aircraft may go:

Back to the Seller

or:

To the Buyer After Closing

or:

To Another Maintenance Facility

depending on the result.

EXPLORE PRE-BUY INSPECTION REPOSITIONING


Why Move an Aircraft for a Pre-Buy?

The best inspection facility may not be located where the airplane is currently based.

A buyer may prefer a shop because of:

  • Aircraft-type expertise
  • Engine knowledge
  • Structural experience
  • Independent relationship
  • Reputation
  • Specialized inspection capability

Professional repositioning gives the buyer more freedom to select an appropriate inspection facility.


What Happens If the Pre-Buy Finds Problems?

A pre-buy inspection may uncover:

  • Engine discrepancies
  • Corrosion
  • Landing-gear issues
  • Avionics problems
  • Propeller concerns
  • Structural discrepancies
  • Logbook issues
  • Deferred maintenance

At that point, the aircraft may need another move.

For example:

Pre-Buy Facility → Engine Shop

or:

Pre-Buy Facility → Seller’s Maintenance Shop

or:

Pre-Buy Facility → Buyer After Repairs

Ferry Flight USA can help coordinate the flight portion when the aircraft is properly ready to move.


Moving the Aircraft to Maintenance Before Delivery

Sometimes the buyer purchases the aircraft but wants work completed before bringing it home.

Examples include:

  • Annual inspection
  • Engine work
  • Propeller work
  • Tires and brakes
  • Landing gear
  • Corrosion treatment
  • Structural repair
  • Deferred squawks

A buyer may choose to send the aircraft directly from the seller or pre-buy facility to the appropriate maintenance provider.

EXPLORE MAINTENANCE FERRY FLIGHTS


Annual Inspection Before Delivery

A buyer may also choose to combine the acquisition with an annual inspection.

The sequence could be:

Seller → Pre-Buy → Closing → Annual Inspection → Buyer

or:

Seller → Annual / Pre-Buy Combination → Buyer

The aircraft can then arrive at the buyer’s airport after the agreed work is completed and it has been properly returned to service.

EXPLORE ANNUAL INSPECTION REPOSITIONING


Avionics Upgrades Before Bringing the Aircraft Home

Some buyers purchase an aircraft knowing immediately that the panel needs upgrading.

Potential projects can include:

  • Garmin GPS
  • Glass displays
  • Autopilot
  • ADS-B
  • Engine monitor
  • Audio panel
  • Radios
  • Transponder

Instead of delivering the aircraft home first and then repositioning it again, the purchase may be structured:

Seller → Avionics Shop → Buyer

Ferry Flight USA can help coordinate those movements.

EXPLORE AVIONICS SHOP FERRY FLIGHTS


Aircraft Paint Before Delivery

A buyer may also purchase an aircraft with older paint or a livery they intend to change immediately.

The aircraft may move:

Seller → Paint Shop → Buyer

or:

Pre-Buy → Paint Shop → Buyer

This can reduce unnecessary repositioning flights.

EXPLORE PAINT SHOP FERRY FLIGHTS


Plan Aircraft Delivery Before Closing

Do not wait until the money has transferred to start asking:

Who is flying the airplane home?

Aircraft delivery is easier when it is planned while the transaction is still moving toward closing.

Before closing, determine:

  • Where the aircraft is located
  • Where it ultimately needs to go
  • Whether the pre-buy is complete
  • Whether maintenance is still required
  • When ownership will transfer
  • When insurance coverage becomes effective
  • Whether the ferry pilot must be approved by insurance
  • Who will release the aircraft
  • Who has the keys
  • Where the aircraft documents are
  • Who will meet the pilot at destination
  • Whether hangar or ramp space is available

Planning early makes the physical delivery much easier.


Insurance Before Aircraft Delivery

Insurance is often one of the biggest issues for aircraft buyers.

A buyer may purchase an aircraft before having enough:

  • Total time
  • Make-and-model time
  • Complex time
  • Multi-engine time
  • Tailwheel time
  • High-performance time
  • Turbine time
  • Time in type

to satisfy the new policy.

That does not necessarily mean the aircraft cannot be delivered.

A professional ferry pilot may be able to satisfy the insurer’s requirements.

Pilot requirements should be reviewed before closing and before the ferry pilot travels to the aircraft.

LEARN ABOUT AIRCRAFT INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS


Buying an Aircraft You Are Not Yet Qualified to Fly

This is common.

A buyer may be transitioning into:

  • Complex aircraft
  • High-performance aircraft
  • Retractable-gear aircraft
  • Tailwheel aircraft
  • Multi-engine aircraft
  • Pressurized aircraft
  • Turbine aircraft
  • Type-rated jet

The buyer may legally or practically need additional:

  • Training
  • Endorsements
  • Insurance checkout
  • Initial qualification
  • Recurrent training

A professional ferry pilot can deliver the airplane while the new owner completes the required training.


Your First Flight in a New Aircraft Does Not Have to Be a 1,500-Mile Cross-Country

You may have just purchased an unfamiliar aircraft.

Making the first flight in that airplane a long cross-country delivery can add unnecessary complexity.

The route may involve:

  • Unfamiliar systems
  • Weather
  • Multiple fuel stops
  • Busy airspace
  • Mountain terrain
  • Overnight stops
  • Mechanical issues
  • Schedule pressure

A professional delivery pilot can handle the transportation while you focus on learning the aircraft properly.


Can the Buyer Fly Along?

Potentially.

Whether the buyer can accompany a ferry pilot depends on:

  • Aircraft
  • Insurance
  • Pilot requirements
  • Mission agreement
  • Aircraft condition
  • Operating limitations

For some acquisitions, the delivery flight may also present an opportunity for the owner to gain aircraft familiarity with an appropriately qualified instructor.

However, instruction and ferry services should be planned specifically in advance rather than assumed.


Aircraft Transition Training During Delivery

Some buyers want to combine aircraft delivery with transition training.

This can potentially be useful for aircraft such as:

  • Cessna 182
  • Cessna 206
  • Piper Arrow
  • Piper Saratoga
  • Cirrus SR22
  • Beechcraft Bonanza
  • Mooney
  • Piston twins
  • Other qualifying aircraft

If training is requested, the assigned pilot must also have the appropriate instructor qualifications and satisfy insurance requirements.

The delivery and training plan should be established before the mission begins.


Aircraft Buyers Purchasing Piston Singles

Ferry Flight USA can support qualifying piston-single purchases involving aircraft such as:

  • Cessna 150 / 152
  • Cessna 172
  • Cessna 182
  • Cessna 206
  • Piper Cherokee
  • Piper Warrior
  • Piper Archer
  • Piper Arrow
  • Piper Saratoga
  • Cirrus SR20
  • Cirrus SR22
  • Beechcraft Bonanza
  • Mooney
  • Diamond DA40
  • Grumman
  • Tecnam
  • Maule
  • Other qualifying aircraft

EXPLORE PISTON SINGLE AIRCRAFT FERRY SERVICES


Aircraft Buyers Purchasing Piston Twins

Multi-engine aircraft can create more demanding pilot and insurance requirements.

Qualifying aircraft may include:

  • Beechcraft Baron
  • Piper Seminole
  • Piper Seneca
  • Piper Apache
  • Piper Aztec
  • Cessna 310
  • Cessna 340
  • Cessna 414
  • Cessna 421
  • Diamond DA42
  • Aerostar
  • Tecnam P2006T

A buyer may benefit significantly from using an experienced multi-engine ferry pilot for initial delivery.

EXPLORE PISTON TWIN AIRCRAFT FERRY SERVICES


Buyers Purchasing Light Jets

Selected light-jet acquisitions may also be supported.

Qualifying missions can involve aircraft such as:

  • Citation Mustang
  • Citation M2
  • Citation CJ-series aircraft
  • Phenom
  • HondaJet
  • Eclipse
  • Premier
  • Vision Jet
  • Other qualifying aircraft

These missions may require:

  • Type-rated pilots
  • Current recurrent training
  • Specific insurance approval
  • Single-pilot or two-pilot crews

EXPLORE LIGHT JET FERRY SERVICES


Buyers Purchasing Midsize Business Jets

Selected midsize business-aircraft purchases may also require professional repositioning.

Qualifying aircraft can include selected:

  • Citation
  • Learjet
  • Hawker
  • Challenger
  • Falcon
  • Gulfstream
  • Embraer aircraft

Pilot and crew requirements vary significantly by model.

EXPLORE MIDSIZE JET FERRY SERVICES


First-Time Aircraft Buyers

Buying your first airplane can involve far more logistics than buying a car.

A first-time buyer may need to coordinate:

  • Aircraft search
  • Offer
  • Purchase agreement
  • Deposit
  • Pre-buy inspection
  • Title
  • Escrow
  • Financing
  • Insurance
  • Registration
  • Maintenance
  • Training
  • Hangar
  • Aircraft delivery

Ferry Flight USA focuses on the aircraft-movement side of the process.

Our job is to help get the aircraft from where it is to where it needs to go.


Buying From a Private Seller

Private aircraft transactions can require careful logistical planning because there may not be a dealer coordinating delivery.

Ferry Flight USA can work with:

  • Buyer
  • Seller
  • Broker
  • Escrow company
  • Pre-buy shop
  • Maintenance provider
  • FBO

to coordinate the physical aircraft movement.


Buying Through an Aircraft Broker

Aircraft brokers often help coordinate:

  • Negotiation
  • Records
  • Inspection
  • Closing

Ferry Flight USA can work with the broker on:

  • Pre-buy repositioning
  • Maintenance movement
  • Delivery after closing

EXPLORE DEALER & BROKER FERRY SERVICES


Buying From an Aircraft Dealer

Dealers may be able to coordinate the transaction, but the buyer may still need the aircraft moved across the country.

Ferry Flight USA can coordinate delivery directly from the dealership or another agreed pickup location.


Buying an Aircraft at an Auction

Aircraft purchased at auction may need to be moved quickly after closing.

The aircraft should still be evaluated for:

  • Maintenance status
  • Airworthiness
  • Insurance
  • Pilot requirements
  • Documents
  • Fuel
  • Current inspection status

Do not assume an aircraft is ready for a cross-country ferry flight merely because the purchase is complete.


Buying an Aircraft That Has Been Sitting

Aircraft that have been inactive or stored for extended periods may need additional maintenance evaluation before delivery.

Potential considerations include:

  • Engine condition
  • Corrosion
  • Battery
  • Tires
  • Fuel system
  • Brakes
  • Oil
  • Propeller
  • Inspection status
  • Aircraft records

A professional ferry service does not replace a proper maintenance evaluation.

The aircraft must be appropriate for the intended flight before the ferry pilot departs.


Buying an Aircraft With an Expired Annual

If the required annual inspection has expired, the aircraft generally cannot simply be operated as a normal delivery flight.

Possible solutions may include:

  • Completing the annual where the aircraft is located
  • Moving the aircraft by ground transport
  • Obtaining an FAA Special Flight Permit for a qualifying flight

If a Special Flight Permit is appropriate, Ferry Flight USA can help evaluate the ferry portion of the mission once the required regulatory and maintenance steps have been completed.

EXPLORE FERRY PERMIT FLIGHTS


Aircraft Delivery From the Pre-Buy Shop

Many acquisitions close while the aircraft is still sitting at the pre-purchase inspection facility.

That creates a very efficient delivery opportunity.

Instead of:

Pre-Buy → Seller → Buyer

the aircraft may be able to move:

Pre-Buy → Buyer

after closing.

This can reduce unnecessary flight time and cost.


Aircraft Delivery Directly to Maintenance

The buyer may not want the airplane delivered home immediately.

For example, the purchase might require:

  • Engine work
  • Annual
  • Tires
  • Avionics
  • Paint
  • Interior
  • Deferred squawks

The aircraft can potentially be delivered directly to the appropriate provider before coming home.


Aircraft Delivery to a Flight School

A new owner may want to complete:

  • Transition training
  • Instrument training
  • Complex checkout
  • Multi-engine training
  • Insurance checkout

before operating the aircraft alone.

The aircraft may therefore be delivered directly to the selected training provider.


Aircraft Delivery to an Aircraft Management Company

Business-aircraft buyers may want the newly purchased aircraft delivered directly to:

  • Aircraft manager
  • Corporate flight department
  • Management company’s base
  • Maintenance facility

Ferry Flight USA can coordinate with the appropriate operational representative.


Coast-to-Coast Aircraft Purchase Delivery

The aircraft market is national.

Qualifying delivery missions may include routes such as:

  • California → Florida
  • Florida → California
  • Texas → New York
  • Arizona → Georgia
  • Midwest → Florida
  • Northeast → Texas
  • Mountain West → Southeast

The route and delivery time depend on:

  • Aircraft type
  • Speed
  • Range
  • Weather
  • Fuel
  • Terrain
  • Pilot duty
  • Crew requirements


Buying an Aircraft in Florida

Florida is one of the country’s most active general aviation markets.

A buyer may find aircraft in:

  • Orlando
  • Central Florida
  • Tampa
  • Lakeland
  • Sarasota
  • Naples
  • Fort Myers
  • Palm Beach
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Miami
  • Jacksonville
  • Daytona Beach
  • Other Florida airports

Ferry Flight USA can help coordinate delivery from Florida to destinations throughout the United States.


Buying an Aircraft and Bringing It to Florida

Florida buyers frequently purchase airplanes elsewhere.

Possible routes include:

  • California → Florida
  • Texas → Florida
  • Arizona → Florida
  • Midwest → Florida
  • Northeast → Florida
  • Mountain West → Florida

A professional aircraft delivery pilot lets a Florida buyer shop nationally.


How Aircraft Buyer Delivery Works

1. Tell Us What You Are Buying

Provide:

  • Aircraft make
  • Model
  • N-number if known
  • Current airport
  • Desired destination
  • Current transaction stage
  • Expected closing date
  • Aircraft maintenance status
  • Insurance requirements if known


2. Tell Us Where the Aircraft Is in the Buying Process

For example:

  • Still negotiating
  • Under contract
  • Pre-buy scheduled
  • Pre-buy complete
  • Maintenance underway
  • Closing scheduled
  • Already closed

The earlier we understand the timeline, the easier it is to plan the aircraft movement.


3. Determine the Needed Route

The route may be:

Seller → Buyer

or:

Seller → Pre-Buy

or:

Pre-Buy → Maintenance

or:

Pre-Buy → Buyer

or another combination.


4. Review Aircraft & Pilot Requirements

We evaluate:

  • Aircraft category
  • Aircraft class
  • Complexity
  • High-performance requirements
  • Multi-engine requirements
  • Pressurization
  • Type rating
  • Insurance
  • Make-and-model experience


5. Coordinate With the Transaction Parties

Aircraft delivery may involve:

  • Buyer
  • Seller
  • Broker
  • Dealer
  • Escrow
  • Maintenance shop
  • FBO
  • Aircraft manager

We coordinate the operational handoff with the appropriate parties.


6. Aircraft Pickup

The pilot travels to the aircraft and performs the appropriate preflight responsibilities.

Any material concern with:

  • Aircraft condition
  • Documentation
  • Maintenance status

may need to be resolved before departure.


7. Delivery Flight

The aircraft is flown to the agreed destination according to applicable regulations, aircraft limitations and safe operating practices.


8. Buyer Handoff

The aircraft is delivered to the buyer or other authorized representative.


How Much Does Aircraft Buyer Delivery Cost?

Aircraft delivery cost depends on:

  • Aircraft type
  • Distance
  • Aircraft speed
  • Range
  • Pilot qualifications
  • Number of flight days
  • Pilot positioning
  • Airline airfare
  • Hotels
  • Rental car or rideshare
  • Crew requirements
  • Insurance requirements
  • Weather
  • Mission complexity

A Cessna 172 located 300 miles away is very different from:

  • A Baron 1,500 miles away
  • A Cessna 421 across the country
  • A Citation requiring a type-rated crew

Ferry Flight USA provides mission-specific quotes.

VIEW THE AIRCRAFT FERRY COST GUIDE


Include Delivery Cost in Your Purchase Budget

When comparing aircraft, remember to include:

  • Pre-buy
  • Travel
  • Escrow
  • Insurance
  • Taxes where applicable
  • Maintenance
  • Training
  • Aircraft delivery

An aircraft located farther away may still represent the better purchase even after ferry cost is included.

Evaluate the Total Aircraft — Not Just the Distance From Home.


Who Pays for Aircraft Delivery?

There is no universal rule.

Depending on the purchase agreement, ferry costs may be paid by:

  • Buyer
  • Seller
  • Dealer
  • Broker
  • Split between parties
  • Included in the negotiated purchase price

The agreement should make responsibility clear.


Why Use Ferry Flight USA as an Aircraft Buyer?

Search Nationwide

Do not limit the aircraft search solely because transportation seems difficult.

Pre-Buy Repositioning

Move the aircraft to the inspection facility you choose.

Delivery Planning Before Closing

Avoid last-minute uncertainty about how the airplane gets home.

Aircraft-Specific Pilot Matching

Different aircraft require different experience and qualifications.

Insurance Coordination

Pilot selection can account for applicable insurance minimums.

Maintenance & Upgrade Routing

The aircraft can potentially move to annual, maintenance, avionics or paint before final delivery.

Nationwide Coverage

We coordinate qualifying aircraft moves throughout the United States.

Transaction Coordination

We can work with buyers, sellers, brokers, dealers and shops.

Professional Aircraft Handoff

Pickup and delivery can be organized with the appropriate transaction parties.


Frequently Asked Questions for Aircraft Buyers

Can you deliver an airplane I just bought?

Yes. Ferry Flight USA provides nationwide newly purchased aircraft delivery for qualifying aircraft.

Can you move an aircraft before I own it?

Potentially, such as for a pre-buy inspection, if the current owner properly authorizes the flight and applicable insurance requirements are satisfied.

Can you move the airplane to my pre-buy shop?

Yes. Pre-buy inspection repositioning is one of the primary buyer services we provide.

Can you deliver the airplane directly from the pre-buy shop after closing?

Yes, assuming the transaction is complete and the aircraft is properly ready for delivery.

Can you take the airplane to maintenance before bringing it home?

Yes. The aircraft can potentially be delivered directly to the buyer’s selected maintenance facility.

Can you take it to an avionics shop first?

Yes.

Can you deliver it to a flight school for my transition training?

Yes, qualifying aircraft can be delivered to a selected training provider.

I do not meet my insurance requirements yet. Can you still deliver the airplane?

Potentially. A ferry pilot who meets the insurer’s requirements may be able to perform the delivery.

Can I ride along?

Potentially, depending on the aircraft, insurance, pilot arrangement and mission.

Can I receive transition training during the delivery?

Potentially, if the assigned pilot is appropriately certificated as an instructor and the training arrangement is established in advance.

Can you deliver a piston twin I just purchased?

Yes, when an appropriately rated and qualified pilot satisfying insurance requirements is available.

Can you deliver a jet I just purchased?

Selected light and midsize business-jet deliveries can be evaluated based on type rating, crew, training, insurance and pilot availability.

Can you ferry an aircraft with an expired annual?

A normal delivery flight may not be permissible. A qualifying aircraft may require an FAA Special Flight Permit or an annual inspection before flight.

When should I contact Ferry Flight USA?

Ideally, before closing. That gives us time to evaluate pilot qualifications, insurance, route and aircraft readiness.

What information do you need?

Provide the aircraft make/model, N-number if known, current airport, destination, transaction stage, expected closing date and known insurance requirements.


Buying an Aircraft?

Don’t let geography keep you from purchasing the right airplane.

Ferry Flight USA can help coordinate the aircraft’s movement from:

Seller

to

Pre-Buy

to

Maintenance

to

Closing

to

Your Home Airport.

Tell Us:

What aircraft are you buying?

Where is it located?

Has the pre-buy been completed?

When is closing?

Where do you ultimately want the airplane delivered?

We’ll use that information to evaluate the route, pilot requirements, timing and expected ferry cost.

Nationwide Aircraft Ferry Services for Buyers

GET MY AIRCRAFT BUYER DELIVERY QUOTE