Aircraft loans for pilots & owners
Piston aircraft loans, shopped across the lenders that know airplanes
Buy, refinance or upgrade a Cessna, Piper, Cirrus, Beechcraft, Mooney or Diamond. One short form puts your request in front of banks, credit unions and specialty aviation lenders.
- Market rates ~6.99%–9.99% (September 2026)
- Terms up to 20 years on singles
- From 15% down (post-1960 singles)
- Pre-qualification in 1–3 business days
Rather talk it through? (833) 264-7776
Check your aircraft loan options
Free, no-obligation. A financing specialist replies within 1–3 business days.
Prefer to talk? Call (833) 264-7776
What you can finance
Financing requests are handled by Jaken Aviation, a brokerage, so one application can be matched to the lender that fits your airplane and your file.
Purchase loans
Singles, twins, vintage and late-model pistons.
Refinancing
Lower the payment, shorten the term, or exit a balloon.
Cash-out refinance
Use equity for a panel, paint, or an overhaul.
Engine overhaul loans
Spread a $30k–$70k overhaul over time.
Avionics upgrades
Autopilots, glass panels and ADS-B.
Partnership shares
Finance your share of a co-owned aircraft.
Light-sport & MOSAIC
What the 2025–2026 rule change means for financing.
Experimental & kit
Financing a flying E-AB — and funding a build.
How it works
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Step 1
Apply & consult
Tell us the aircraft, the price and your timeline. A specialist reviews your goals with you.
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Step 2
Get matched
Your request goes out to a national network of banks, credit unions and specialty aviation lenders.
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Step 3
Underwriting
Your file is packaged and submitted to the best-fit lender, typically 1–2 weeks once there is a purchase agreement.
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Step 4
Approval & closing
We coordinate lender, escrow and seller through closing — usually 2–4 weeks from application.
What does an aircraft loan cost per month?
Examples at a 7.75% APR illustrative rate using each model's typical mid-market price from our aircraft database. Your rate, down payment and term depend on your credit, the aircraft and the lender.
| Aircraft | Typical price | Down | Loan | Term | Est. payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172 Skyhawk | $125,000 | 15% | $106,250 | 20 yrs | $872/mo |
| Piper PA-28-181 Archer | $90,000 | 15% | $76,500 | 20 yrs | $628/mo |
| Cirrus SR22 | $320,000 | 20% | $256,000 | 15 yrs | $2,410/mo |
| Beechcraft Bonanza A36 | $200,000 | 15% | $170,000 | 20 yrs | $1,396/mo |
| Beechcraft Baron 58 | $280,000 | 20% | $224,000 | 15 yrs | $2,108/mo |
Principal and interest only. Twins shown with 20% down and a 15-year term, reflecting typical lender limits.
Free aircraft financing calculators
Loan payment calculator
Monthly payment, total interest, balloon options and a full amortization schedule.
Affordability calculator
Work backwards from a monthly budget to the aircraft price you can carry.
Refinance calculator
Compare your current loan to a new rate and term, including closing costs.
Financing guides for 72 piston aircraft models
Specs, typical prices, down payment and term guidance, and pre-buy notes by model.
Aircraft loan questions, answered
What are piston aircraft loan rates right now?
As of September 2026, aviation lenders publish piston aircraft loan rates of roughly 6.99% to 9.99% APR. Your rate depends on credit, down payment, loan size, term, and the aircraft's age and condition. The Prime Rate is 7.00% after the Fed's September 16, 2026 increase.
What credit score do I need for an aircraft loan?
Most aviation lenders look for a score of 680 or higher, and the best pricing typically starts around 720–730+. Below 680, approval is harder and usually needs a larger down payment, strong liquidity, or a co-borrower.
How much down payment does an aircraft loan require?
Plan on at least 15% down for a single-engine aircraft built after 1960, about 20% for pre-1960 aircraft, and 15–30% for twins, based on published AOPA Aviation Finance guidelines. More down can lower your rate and monthly payment.
How long can I finance an airplane?
Single-engine piston loans run up to 20 years, but 20-year terms generally require a loan of $75,000 or more. Twin-engine loans are usually capped at 10–15 years. Older aircraft may get shorter terms.
How long does it take to get approved?
Pre-qualification typically takes 1–3 business days. Underwriting and approval take about 1–2 weeks once there is a signed purchase agreement, and most loans close 2–4 weeks from application.
Is Piston Aircraft Loans a lender?
No. Financing requests from this site are handled by Jaken Aviation, a loan brokerage (not a direct lender) that shops your request across a national network of banks, credit unions and specialty aviation lenders. Lenders make all credit decisions.
Get real loan options for your aircraft
One short form. A specialist shops banks, credit unions and aviation lenders for you. Pre-qualification in 1–3 business days.