industry news

Industry leaders from a variety of bizav segments share their insights and predictions for 2026.

To glean insights for the coming year, Aviation Week asked 16 leaders from a variety of segments within the business aviation industry to weigh in on the following question:

What do you think will be the biggest challenge or concern for the business aviation industry and/or your segment of the industry in 2026?
 

Read full article here

This article was originally published by BCA/Aviation Week, First Quarter, 2026. 

Contact Information:

Theresa C. Myers
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero
410-571-1740

Jeff Dunn
jdunn@hawthorneaero.com
630-604-1377

NAFA Welcomes New Member: Hawthorne Aero Valuation Services

Edgewater, MD — March 11, 2026 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that Hawthorne Aero Valuation Services has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

NAFA welcomes Hawthorne Aero Valuation Services. "We are excited to welcome Hawthorne Aero Valuation Services to our professional network,” said Bryan Byers, NAFA President. “We expect their knowledge and experience in aircraft appraisals will be beneficial to our NAFA members."

Hawthorne Aero Valuation Services is an independent business jet appraisal firm founded by Jeff Dunn, an ASA-accredited appraiser with more than 25 years of aviation experience spanning Air Force service, FAA-rated A&P work, and over a decade in corporate aircraft finance at institutions including PNC Aviation Finance, JA Mitsui Leasing, Citizens, Truist, and CIT Aerospace. The firm delivers USPAP-compliant, ASA-aligned aircraft valuations designed to be accurate, finance-ready, and defensible — built on a multi-discipline foundation that is uncommon in the independent appraisal market.

"I'm honored to join the National Aircraft Finance Association as Hawthorne Aero Valuation Services continues to grow," said Jeff Dunn, ASA-Accredited Aircraft Appraiser and Founder. "Having spent years on the lending side before launching an independent appraisal practice, I understand what finance professionals need from a valuation - and NAFA is exactly the community where that perspective is most relevant. I look forward to contributing to the association and continuing to build relationships with the lenders and finance professionals I have spent my career working alongside."

Hawthorne Aero serves lenders, aircraft owners, brokers, attorneys, and aviation professionals across a range of valuation and advisory services. Core offerings include aircraft appraisals, on-site aircraft and records inspections, financing and collateral risk assessments, market research and trend reporting, and diminution of value analysis. Reports combine technical rigor, market-based comparable analysis, and lender-aligned methodology to support confident, time-sensitive decision-making.

The firm was established to bring precision, clarity, and integrity to boutique aircraft appraisal — filling a gap for clients who need valuations that are both technically sound and aligned with the realities of today's aviation finance environment.

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years. Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

NAFA member Jeff Dunn, President of Hawthorne Aero Valuation Services, shares his latest insights. 

Last week, Embraer announced the Praetor 500E and 600E - the first significant update to the Praetor family since its 2018 launch. Redesigned cabins, new technology, and an optional 42-inch OLED Smart Window on the 600E. Deliveries begin Q1 2029.

The announcement generated plenty of coverage focused on what's new. Less discussed was the question that matters most to anyone currently buying, selling, or financing a Praetor 500 or 600: what does this do to used values?

It's a question worth answering carefully - because the instinctive answer isn't always the right one.

Read full article here

This article was originally published by Hawthorne Aero Valuation Services on March 5, 2026.

Contact Information:   
 

Theresa C. Myers
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero                                                      
410-571-1740              

Chris Carter
chris@jetxfinancial.com
(813) 344-5421

NAFA Welcomes New Member: JetX Financial Solutions

Edgewater, MD — March 3, 2026 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that JetX Financial Solutions has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

NAFA welcomes JetX Financial Solutions. "We are pleased to welcome JetX to our network,” said Bryan Byers, NAFA President. “We expect their proficiency in customized financing will significantly contribute to the knowledge base and resources accessible to all NAFA members."

JetX Financial Solutions is an alternative private aircraft lender specializing in customized financing for transactions that fall outside traditional banking parameters. We provide finance leases, asset-based loans, and advisory services for both pre-owned and new aircraft, helping buyers, sellers, and brokers close deals with confidence. With deep aviation expertise and a hands-on approach, we design financing structures around real-world aircraft operations—not generic lending models—reducing risk and removing friction at every step.

"We're excited to join the National Aircraft Finance Association," said Chris Carter, VP of JetX. "Our focus is on delivering flexible, tailored financing for deals that fall outside traditional bank credit and underwriting boxes. NAFA membership connects us with industry leaders and expands our network of trusted partners, allowing us to better serve clients and close more deals with confidence. We look forward to contributing our expertise and learning from the broader aviation finance community."

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years. Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

NAFA member Mike Smith, President of Scope Aircraft Finance, shares his latest article in Plane Truth.

As we move further into 2026, I’ve spent some time during my travels reflecting on where we can provide the most value through our monthly Plane Truth finance posts. I’ve been financing aircraft since 2011, and this segment of the industry has always fascinated me. ‍

As lenders, we have a front-row seat to so many cool areas of the industry, and by talking to our borrowers, we’re able to learn a lot about how the nation’s economy actually runs. ‍

For the rest of 2026, my goal is to provide various updates on a regular cadence through our Plane Truth posts.‍

Quarterly, we’ll review industry interest rate conditions, informed by actions (or inactions) by the Federal Reserve, along with a review of the yield curve. ‍

We’ll also take a quarterly look at macro transaction activity, which shows us how strong the market appears to be. Then, we’ll take a quarterly review of what interesting anecdotes we’re seeing out there. ‍

This month, I wanted to briefly comment on what we’ve seen in our loan fundings so far this year. 

Read full article here

This article was originally published in Plane Truth, Issue #17, on February 19, 2026.

Contact Information:​​​
 

Theresa C. Myers
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero​​​​
410-571-1740​​​​​

Emily Loggins
Emily@A1AirandSeaRecovery.com
770-508-4477

NAFA Welcomes New Member: A-1 Air & Sea Recovery

Edgewater, MD — February 19, 2026 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that A-1 Air & Sea Recovery has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

NAFA welcomes A-1 Air & Sea Recovery to the National Aircraft Finance Association. "We are thrilled to have A-1 Air & Sea Recovery join our network, and we anticipate that their engagement and contributions will be immensely valuable in enhancing the knowledge and resources available to all NAFA members," said Bryan Byers, NAFA President.

A-1 Air & Sea Recovery is a global asset recovery firm specializing in the identification, seizure, and repatriation of high-value assets. With expertise in aviation, complex receiverships, and securities fraud matters, the firm provides end-to-end recovery solutions that connect legal judgments to physical asset control. Services include on demand pilots and captains, secure storage and inventory management, investigation services, and asset remarketing and divestment. The firm manages a wide range of assets, including aircraft, vehicles, heavy equipment, firearms, and specialized facilities.

In an industry where precision is paramount, A-1 Air & Sea Recovery operates at the intersection of investigative intelligence and tactical execution. “We understand that distressed assets—particularly aircraft—require specialized handling to maintain value and compliance,” said Thomas White, CEO and Founder at A-1 Air & Sea Recovery. “By joining NAFA, our dedicated team is excited to provide creditors, financial institutions, and legal entities with a seamless, end-to-end solution for recovering capital and securing collateral, no matter how remote the location or complex the legal landscape.”

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years.Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

Contact Information:​​​
 

Theresa C. Myers
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero​​​​
410-571-1740​​​​​​​​​​​​
 

Scott Potter
scott@rim-alliance.com
405-820-0053

NAFA Welcomes New Member: RIM Alliance

Edgewater, MD — February 19, 2026 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that RIM Alliance has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

NAFA welcomes RIM Alliance to the National Aircraft Finance Association. "We are excited to have RIM Alliance join our network, and we anticipate that their expertise in supplying reliable, high-quality aircraft components with full traceability will benefit NAFA members," said Bryan Byers, NAFA President.

RIM Alliance products meet strict industry standards, supporting safe, efficient repairs that extend aircraft life while offering transparency and reliability. RIM Alliance offers a comprehensive range of solutions designed to support aircraft operators, MRO’s, and industry partners. In addition to supplying reliable, fully traceable parts, they are also active buyers of aircraft, engines, and parts. Often able to service as a practical, straightforward means of getting the plane out of the owner’s hangar and cash into the owner’s pocket.

“RIM Alliance is honored to become a member of the National Aircraft Finance Association,” said Scott Potter, CEO of RIM Alliance. “We have a substantial appetite for end-of-life aircraft, and we want to be a resource for NAFA members needing to convert difficult-to-sell aircraft into cash. Joining NAFA allows us to strengthen relationships with lenders, operators, and industry partners, while continuing to support aircraft transactions and lifecycle solutions with reliability and integrity.”

RIM Alliance is focused on being your aircraft parts supplier of choice by offering impeccable customer service while maintaining the highest quality standards. Our staff has over 150 years of combined aviation experience to assist with your requirements and has been delivering aircraft parts worldwide since 1991.

RIM Alliance offers a wide array of services:

· Aircraft Component Sales

· Consignment

· Overhaul Exchange

· Repair Management

· Inventory Acquisition

· AOG Support

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years.Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the 2025 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report during its annual State of the Industry Press Conference. Overall, when compared to 2024, the business jet and piston airplane segments saw increases in shipments and preliminary aircraft deliveries were valued at $35.7 billion, an increase of 14.6%.

“The state of the general aviation manufacturing industry remains steadfast. We continue to see robust numbers of total aircraft delivered as well as annual billings eclipsing $35 billion, the highest it has ever been. While some segments are seeing marginal declines in deliveries, they are all still above 2019 levels.  As manufacturers work hard to meet the challenges and demand of today, they remain focused on advancing safety and innovation for the future of the entire aviation industry,” said James Viola, GAMA President and CEO.

Airplane shipments in 2025, when compared to 2024, saw piston airplanes increase by ten units to 1,782, turboprops decline slightly by 5.1% with 594 units, and business jets increase 11.8% with 854 units. The value of airplane deliveries for 2025 was $31.0 billion, an increase of 16.1%.

Click here for full Press Release

This press release was originally published by GAMA on February 18, 2026.

Contact Information:​​​
 

Theresa C. Myers
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero​​​​
410-571-1740​​​​​​​​​​​​

Chris Canon
chris@radjets.com
770-316-1631

NAFA Welcomes New Member: RAD Jets

Edgewater, MD — February 13, 2026 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that RAD Jets has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

RAD Jets is a trusted provider of expert aircraft appraisal services in the business aviation sector, delivering precise, reliable, and USPAP-compliant valuations to support critical financial, insurance, tax, leasing, and transactional decisions. Led by Chris Canon, MBA, ASA—a senior accredited appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) and over 15 years of industry experience—the company combines deep aviation knowledge with a rigorous, data-driven approach to aircraft valuation.

“RAD Jets is proud to become a member of the National Aircraft Finance Association,” said Chris Canon, MBA, ASA, Founder and Lead Appraiser. “As a dedicated provider of precise, USPAP-compliant aircraft appraisals, our mission is to deliver accurate, data-driven valuations that empower lenders, owners, and industry professionals to make confident decisions without costly surprises. Joining NAFA allows us to strengthen our connections within the aviation finance community, collaborate with trusted partners, and continue upholding the highest standards of integrity and expertise in every appraisal we perform.”

NAFA President Bryan Byers welcomes RAD Jets to the National Aircraft Finance Association. "We are pleased to welcome RAD Jets to NAFA and their expertise that focus on aircraft appraisal services,” said Bryan Byers.
 

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years.Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

Contact Information:                                                                                                                                                                                
 

Theresa C. Myers
theresa.c.myers@nafa.aero                                                      
410-571-1740   

Michael Cosby
mcosby@mcjetlaw.com
(417) 792-2922

NAFA Welcomes New Member: MC Jet Law

Edgewater, MD — February 6, 2026 - The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is proud to announce that MC Jet Law has joined its distinguished network of business and general aviation finance professionals.

NAFA President Bryan Byers welcomes MC Jet Law to the National Aircraft Finance Association. "We are pleased to welcome MC Jet Law to NAFA and their expertise that focus on aviation transactions, regulatory compliance and taxes,” said Bryan Byers.

"MC Jet Law is excited to become a member of the National Aircraft Finance Association," said Michael Cosby, Principal with MC Jet Law, LLC. "NAFA affords the firm an opportunity to connect with lenders and industry partners to provide our 20+ years of experience with aviation finance transactions."
 

About NAFA:  
The National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA) is a professional association comprised of over 175 companies that promote the general welfare of aircraft finance for more than 50 years. Through collaboration, expertise, and educational content, NAFA provides the business and GA aircraft finance community opportunities for growth and betterment. Our network of members is comprised of lenders and product service providers who work together to finance general and business aviation aircraft. NAFA sets the standard for best practices in aviation finance by educating its members with the most up-to-date industry trends and best practices. Government legislation, market influences and industry insights allow member companies to provide the highest quality services the industry has to offer. 

More information at https://www.nafa.aero.

Middletown, RI – 01/29/2026 – On January 14, 2026, OceanPoint Funding, Inc., an affiliate of OceanPoint Financial Partners, MHC, entered into an agreement to acquire Lending Associates, Inc. OceanPoint Financial Partners is the parent company of the OceanPoint Marine Lending brand.

Lending Associates is a well-established organization with a strong reputation in marine, RV, and aircraft lending. Led by Grant Smalling and Jack Crittenden, the company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL, with a team serving the West Coast, Great Lakes, New England, Texas, and Florida. The team brings decades of industry experience and shares OceanPoint’s commitment to exceptional customer service and operational excellence.

The consummation of the transaction is subject to receipt of requisite regulatory and other necessary approvals and customary closing conditions and deliverables. OceanPoint currently anticipates the transaction will close in the second quarter of 2026, at which time the two teams will operate under the unified brand OceanPoint Funding, and will be led by Grant Smalling.

Read full release here

This Press Release was originally published by OceanPoint Funding, Inc. on January 29, 2026.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 04, 2026
Contact: Keaton Fenwick
press@globalair.com

(502) 785-7862

GlobalAir.com Partners with Aero Friedrichshafen to Develop Pre-Owned AIRCRAFT AREA

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – GlobalAir.com has been selected as the official sales representative for the newly established, pre-owned aircraft market at AERO Friedrichshafen, Europe’s leading show for general aviation and business aviation.

The show serves as a global platform for all aspects of general aviation and business aviation, bringing together manufacturers, operators, owners, and aviation professionals from across the industry. Through this partnership, GlobalAir.com will develop and manage a pre-owned aircraft area, showcasing a curated selection of light jets, turboprops, and single-engine piston aircraft available for sale in the European and global markets.

This collaboration represents a strategic alliance between two historic and influential aviation media and marketplace organizations, combining AERO Friedrichshafen’s European reach with the decades-long leadership in aircraft listings, data, and digital aviation marketing of GlobalAir.com.

Read full Press Release here

This Press Release was originally published by GlobalAir.com on January 19, 2026.

NAFA member Aero Asset releases their 2025 Annual Heli Market Trends - Single Engine Edition.

Heli Market Trends compiles 2025 performance of 4 single engine models in production and variants with recent preowned sales activity. Market performance is ranked from most to least active.

Download Report Here

This report was originally published by Aero Asset on January 27, 2026.

NAFA member, Mike Smith, President of Scope Aircraft Finance, looks back at a volatile 2025—tariffs, tax policy, and rate shifts—and explains what those lessons mean for aircraft financing as owners head into an uncertain but opportunity-filled 2026.

As we push toward the end of January, I want to wish you one last “happy new year!” from Columbus, Ohio. The Scope team is mostly recovered from what turned out to be a very strong 2025. Looking back at the year, it’s incredible to see how it ended after how it started.‍

If you go into the way-back machine, you’d remember that, at the start of 2025, there was tremendous optimism that the Trump administration was going to jump-start the economy with favorable tax policy, and in our industry, that meant a rapid return to the accelerated depreciation schedules of yesteryear. The industry saw a lot of 2024 closing volume pull forward into 2025 which resulted in a busy January for all.‍

As the calendar turned to spring, we all pulled out our high school US history books to remember what the word “tariff” meant and how it worked. Second quarter was a quarter of learning and navigating as tariff policy changed daily, with a new dynamic of including aircraft transactions.

Read full article here

This article was originally published by The Plane Truth on January 22, 2026.

NAFA member Greenberg Traurig shares the latest aviation alert regarding the FAA.

On Jan. 13, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notified Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc. (SACI) that the agency has rendered all aircraft registration certificates issued in the company’s name invalid and has notified the company that it must surrender them within 21 days. The FAA determined that SACI violated U.S. citizenship requirements when submitting registration applications for aircraft held in trust. This FAA determination grounds the affected aircraft, and they should not be operated until proper registration is confirmed.

Takeaways

Entities with aircraft registered through SACI may wish to take immediate action to avoid unauthorized operations. To register an aircraft on the U.S. Civil Aircraft Registry, the following requirements apply under 14 CFR Part 47.

Eligible Owners

• U.S. citizens or resident aliens (individuals);
   
• U.S. corporations or associations meeting control and voting interest requirements (president and two-thirds of board and other managing officers must be U.S. citizens; at least 75% voting interest must be U.S.-held); or
   
• Non-U.S. owners may use a trust, provided the trustee is a U.S. citizen or resident alien.

Required Documentation

Impacted parties must submit all required documentation to the FAA’s civil aircraft registry, located in Oklahoma City. Documents filed with the FAA for the purpose of registration must have either a blue-ink original signature or be properly signed using a valid electronic signature method.

Read the full article here

This article was originally published by Greenberg Traurig on January 13, 2026.