Expert Opinion
AINsight: How To Structure Aircraft Co-ownership
Joint or co-ownership of aircraft can be a good option but can be a legal landmine if not done correctly

Owners and potential aircraft purchasers have for a while told me they want to buy or continue to own an aircraft but intend to share ownership with at least one other person. They recognize the value of freeing up capital from the aircraft purchase price, deploying the cash into their businesses or investments, decreasing ownership costs, and sharing the risk of depreciating aircraft values.

Fundamentals of Aircraft Sharing

How do the parties start their shared aircraft ownership experience? Before all else, they should agree to buy and/or share a mutually acceptable aircraft that accomplishes their respective missions. They should genuinely and confidently trust each other to honor their aircraft arrangements.

David G. Mayer
AIN Contributor
About the author

David G. Mayer is a member of the global Aviation Practice Group at Shackelford, McKinley & Norton in Dallas, which handles private aircraft matters, including regulatory compliance, tax planning, purchases, sales, leasing and financing, risk management, insurance, aircraft management and operations, hangar leasing, and related corporate work. Mayer frequently represents corporations and high- and ultra-high-net worth individuals and other aircraft owners, flight departments, lessees, borrowers, operators, sellers, purchasers, corporations and managers, as well as lessors and lenders. He can be contacted at [email protected].

See more by this author