--- title: "Updated Aircraft Buying Guide - SherpaReport" description: "This updated book provides comprehensive and user-friendly guidance on all aspects of purchasing a private aircraft." url: "https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/updated-aircraft-buying-guide.html" date: "2026-10-18T02:32:55+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- [ ![Sherpa Report](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/sherpa-report-logo-white.svg) ](https://www.sherpareport.com/) #### Member login Remember Me - [ Forgot your username?](https://www.sherpareport.com/lost-user-name.html) - [ Forgot your password?](https://www.sherpareport.com/lost-password.html) GO [ ](# "Menu") # Updated Aircraft Buying Guide Nick Copley 07 November 2023 Last Updated: 10 July 2026 The latest SherpaReport Aircraft Buying Guide has been published. This updated book provides comprehensive and user-friendly guidance on all aspects of purchasing a private aircraft. The new edition of this one-of-a-kind guide, geared towards individuals and businesses, offers brand new sections as well as updated costs and enhanced information. The latest edition of the book, increased to 60 pages in length, includes new sections on cabin requirements and customization options, connectivity, and sustainability, which have all become considerations for aircraft owners. It also includes the latest figures relating to the costs of various aircraft (both CAPEX and OPEX, including crew salaries, maintenance, connectivity and more) and updated and enhanced information on legal, tax and insurance considerations. “For discriminating families and corporations, private aviation has become an increasingly popular alternative to commercial flying. The demand has pushed up prices, reduced the supply of good second-hand aircraft and increased the wait times for buying a new aircraft,” explains Nick Copley, President of SherpaReport and co-author of the book. “It was clear to us at SherpaReport, that people needed a wide-ranging guide to help with aircraft acquisitions whether buying a larger turboprop, a jet or a piston aircraft.” ![Aircraft Buying Guide](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/stories/planes/AircraftBuyingGuide-2023-750.jpg "Aircraft Buying Guide") The publication offers a side-by-side comparison of about 150 types of business aircraft and their specifications, as well as examples of current operating costs for over 25 models. “We also go through the reasons to own and not to own; include a trip cost calculator and a detailed needs assessment and analysis; the makeup of the ideal advisory and management teams; maintenance considerations; inspection tips; financing options; and more,” adds Paul LaFata, President of AirPower, a veteran with more than 40 years in the business, and co-author of the guide. The book also helps potential buyers and their teams decide whether full ownership is the best option for them or whether there are alternatives that are better suited to their needs, such as [fractional ownership](https://www.sherpareport.com/private-aviation/fractional-overview.html), [jet cards](https://www.sherpareport.com/private-aviation/private-jet-cards.html) and memberships, charters, or a combination of several of those options. Copley explains, “We want our readers to be able to have intelligent conversations about all aspects of ownership with their brokers, advisors, and teams, so they can make smart decisions for themselves or their employers.” The Aircraft Buying Guide is available to all SherpaReport members to download. [Membership to SherpaReport](https://www.sherpareport.com/memberships.html) provides access to numerous guides, jet card and fractional program comparisons, spreadsheets, and insights for all levels of knowledge, as well as individualized advice and bespoke analysis for any member. ### Related Items #### [New Business Jet Sales Forecasts – the 2022 Report](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/business-jet-sales-forecasts-2022.html) #### [Ongoing High Demand for Used Business Aircraft in 2022](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/high-demand-used-aircraft.html) #### [New Guide to Buying a Private Aircraft](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/aircraft-buying-guide.html) #### [The Costs to Own and Operate a HondaJet HA-420](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/costs-own-hondajet.html) #### [New Business Jet Sales Forecasts – the 2021 Report](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/new-biz-jets-sales-2021.html) #### [Used Business Jet Sales Are Surging](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/used-jet-sales-surging.html) #### [How Companies Use Their Private Planes](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/companies-private-planes.html) #### [The Costs To Own And Operate A Gulfstream G550](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/costs-own-g550.html) #### [Is Whole Aircraft Ownership Right For You?](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/aircraft-ownership-right.html) #### [Tax Changes Impacting Aircraft Purchasers](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/tax-changes-aircraft-purchasers.html) #### [The Costs to Own and Operate a Pilatus PC12](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/costs-pilatus-pc12.html) #### [Deciding Between Fractional Ownership of an Aircraft or Leasing](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/fractional-leasing-aircraft.html) ### SherpaReport monthly newsletter First Name Email Comments ### Latest News in Private Aviation ![](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/Magell-legacy-250.jpg) #### [ Magellan Adds Flexibility To Its Jet Cards ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/magellan-flexibility-cards.html) ![](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/stories/planes/Premier-Hawker800-250.jpg) #### [ Premier Private Jets at a Glance: Products, Fleet, and Infrastructure ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/premier-private-jets-overview.html) ![Mike Silvestro opening Farnborough FBO](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/stories/planes/Flex-Mike_Silvestro-Farn-250.jpg) #### [ Inside Flexjet’s New Farnborough Terminal and Red Label Academy Expansion ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/inside-flexjets-farnborough-terminal.html) ![](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/stories/planes/flyte-vision-N440MA-250.jpg) #### [ Flyte: A Focused Regional Vision Jet Operator ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/flyte-vision-jet-operator.html) ![](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/stories/planes/NetJets-P500-250.jpg) #### [ How Old Is the Private Jet You Are Flying On? ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/how-old-private-jet.html) ![](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/stories/planes/ClayLacy-Charter-250-2.jpg) #### [ Solairus Acquiring Clay Lacy Aircraft Management & Charter Divisions ](https://www.sherpareport.com/aircraft/solairus-acquire-clay-lacy.html) ### Aviation Company Profiles ![Aviation Company Profiles](https://www.sherpareport.com/images/company-profiles/CompanyProfile.png) Details on the leading private aviation companies, including aircraft management companies, fractional operators, charter operators and brokers. - [Find out more](https://www.sherpareport.com/aviation-company-profile/) ### SherpaReport Membership Get the latest, updated data and insights on the leading fractional jet programs, leading private jet card and membership programs, and the top-rated charter operators. This information is critical for both first-time buyers and experienced private flyers. Leverage 20 years of knowledge and insights fromSherpaReport Analysts and request a bespoke analysis tailored to your flying needs. Access all this data and information to save you thousands of dollars and hours of research time. Your Membership also includes the Aircraft Buying Guide with multiple pages of insights, information and data for anyone considering or interested in buying a plane. You will be a more educated and smarter buyer. 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