Before purchasing a preowned aircraft as part of a jet time share deal there are a number of factors to consider.  Here is a breakdown of what you need to consider before you buy.

The Age of the Aircraft.  As airplanes age the cost of maintaining them increases, especially after warranties expire on the frame, engines and avionics. Be sure to obtain an evaluation from the jet time-share company that consists of the following: number of hours flown, number o f landings and date of manufacture.

Complete History of the AirCraft's Maintenance.  Ask to see the aircraft's log book. Every thing that has been done to an aircraft should have been recorded in detail. Gaps in time or missing information in this log can cause a craft's value to decrease. Also ask who has been responsible for the maintenance during the life of the machine. A pre-owned aircraft that has been maintained by the manufacturer, factory serviced or serviced by a manufacturer authorized service center is of higher value than one that has been cared for by outside providers of maintenance services.

Features. Newer aircraft often boast technologically advanced equipment, such as radar, navigation and flight equipment that boost the overall value of the aircraft. Pre-used aircraft may require thousands of dollars worth of updated equipment every few years, an important factor to keep in mind before you make a purchase.

Hangars: Where an aircraft has been stored can also have an impact on its value. Aircraft that has been stored in U.S. or European facilities might be worth more than those that have been stored in other geographic areas.  Be sure to ask the jet time-share company where it has been stored.

Hiring a consultant is one way to assess the value of a particular specific serial numbered aircraft. Appraisals are inexpensive and well worth the investment before you invest huge amounts of money into this.

There are also reference books available that might help you decide about a purchase such as the Aircraft Blue Book - Price Digest, Residual Value Guide and Brief that can help you determine an aircraft's value. However, keep in mind that since a particular aircraft's value can be affected by many factors such as current demand on the market and comparable market sales that this kind of "blue book" guide can only give you a rough approximation of the aircraft's worth.

The best companies will also have mandatory Sell Back and Repurchase Requirements.  The best jet fractional companies wall require you to purchase an initial management agreement which honors your aircraft time share for at least five years.  At the five-year point they repurchase thus substantially raising the impact of their long-term costs. As with any long-term investment, the longer you stay in the game, the more money you make or save.