How to Sell Your Aircraft in the UK: A Seller's Guide

Getting Your Aircraft Ready to Sell

First impressions matter. Before listing your aircraft, invest time in preparation:

Clean thoroughly — inside and out, including the engine bay
Fix minor snags — a working aircraft with no known defects commands a better price
Ensure the ARC is current — buyers are wary of aircraft with an expired airworthiness certificate
Organise logbooks — complete, chronological maintenance records build buyer confidence

Pricing Your Aircraft

Research comparable sales to set a realistic asking price. Factors that influence value:

Total airframe and engine hours
Time since engine overhaul
Avionics fit (glass cockpit vs steam gauges)
Paint and interior condition
Maintenance history completeness
Any modifications or STCs

Check recent sold prices on Planetraders and other UK aviation marketplaces. Price competitively — overpriced aircraft sit on the market.

Photography Tips

Great photos sell aircraft. Follow these tips:

Shoot in natural daylight — early morning or late afternoon light is best
Include wide shots of all four quarters (front, rear, both sides)
Photograph the cockpit and instrument panel clearly
Show the interior — seats, baggage area, headliner
Include close-ups of the engine bay
Capture any notable features or upgrades
Use a clean background — hangar or grass strip looks professional

Writing Your Listing

Be honest and detailed. Buyers appreciate transparency. Include:

Make, model, year, and registration
Total time airframe and engine hours
Avionics list
Recent maintenance or upgrades
Known defects or upcoming maintenance
Reason for sale
Asking price or "Price on Application"

Legal Requirements

When you sell an aircraft in the UK:

Provide a signed bill of sale
Notify the CAA of the change of ownership within 28 days
Cancel your insurance once the aircraft has been handed over
Hand over all logbooks, manuals, and certificates

Where to List

Planetraders reaches UK aircraft buyers actively searching for their next aircraft. List for free during our beta period and take advantage of saved-search alerts that notify potential buyers the moment your listing goes live.