Most aircraft purchases involve some financing, and the loan structure, deposit, rate and term, moves the monthly number more than small changes in the sticker price do. This calculator uses a standard amortising loan to estimate the payment, the cash needed at closing and the total interest paid over the term.
How this calculator works
Payments use a standard amortising loan formula and exclude taxes, legal fees and lender charges.
Worked example
A €450,000 aircraft with 20% down leaves a €360,000 loan. Over 10 years at 7.5%, that is about €4,273 per month and roughly €153,000 of total interest, a third of the aircraft's price. Shortening the term to 7 years raises the payment to about €5,520 but cuts total interest to around €104,000.
Monthly payment on a typical example of each type
Each row finances one aircraft at PlaneFit's estimated price for a representative model year, on the loan terms the calculator opens with: 20 percent down, 7.5 percent nominal, over 10 years.
| Aircraft | Estimated price | Cash at closing | Monthly payment | Total interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, single-engine piston | €55,000 | €11,000 | €522 | €18,675 |
| Diamond DA42-VI, twin-engine piston | €782,000 | €156,400 | €7,426 | €265,518 |
| Daher Kodiak 100 Series III, single-engine turboprop | €2,576,000 | €515,200 | €24,462 | €874,647 |
| Beechcraft King Air 300, twin-engine turboprop | €1,747,000 | €349,400 | €16,590 | €593,171 |
| Cessna Citation CJ1, light jet | €1,703,000 | €340,600 | €16,172 | €578,231 |
| Robinson R44 Raven I, helicopter | €483,000 | €96,600 | €4,587 | €163,996 |
What the table holds fixed
- Every row uses the same terms: 20 percent down, 7.5 percent, 10 years.
- Prices are PlaneFit's indicative estimates for a representative model year, not asking prices.
- Lender fees, insurance requirements and the tax treatment of the interest are excluded.
Frequently asked questions
What deposit do aircraft lenders expect?
Typically 15–30% of the purchase price. Newer, popular types with liquid resale markets sit at the lower end; older airframes, unusual types and experimental aircraft push both the required deposit and the interest rate up, and some lenders will not finance them at all.
What loan terms are common for aircraft?
Terms of 10–20 years are common for certified aircraft, usually with the term capped by the aircraft's age and value. A longer term lowers the monthly payment but dramatically raises total interest, so many buyers choose the shortest term the mission budget can absorb.
What does this calculator leave out?
Deliberately, everything that varies by jurisdiction and deal: VAT or import duty, legal and escrow fees, the pre-buy inspection, first-year insurance and any lender arrangement charges. Budget these separately, on an imported aircraft they can add a five-figure sum to the cash needed at closing.