Aircraft Due Diligence

Know What You're Buying
Before You Commit.

Aircraft due diligence is a process, not a single lookup. It starts with public-record screening and ends with logbook intelligence. Begin with a free Pulse Check — then go as deep as the decision requires.

Step 01 — Start Here
Enter N-Number for Free Public Record Screen
N
Begin Due Diligence — Free Pulse Check →
Enter digits only · Example: 13383 for N13383
Public Record Screening
Records-Based Risk Signals
Not an Inspection
Not an Appraisal

The Due Diligence Process
Four Layers. One
Informed Decision.
01
Free Public Record Screen
Pulse Check — Registry, NTSB & Title Signals

The first filter on any aircraft. Cross-references FAA registry ownership records, NTSB accident and incident filings, title and lien indicators from the FAA Document Index, fleet defect patterns from FAA Service Difficulty Reports, and environmental exposure signals. Returns public-record indicators only — not a condition assessment, not a title opinion, not an airworthiness determination.

FAA Registry NTSB Filings Title Indicators Fleet SDRS Environmental Exposure Ownership History
Free
02
Records Intelligence Report
AeroScore™ Buyer Review — Logbook & Document Layer

Logbook review, annual inspection currency, continuity check for documentation gaps, major repairs and modifications found, AD compliance indicators, engine TBO position, and a scored proceed / caution / inspect deeper verdict. A records-based risk signal report — not an inspection, not an appraisal, not an airworthiness determination.

Logbook Review Annual Currency AD Indicators Engine TBO Position Continuity Check Scored Verdict
$249
03
Full Advisory Report + Briefing
AeroScore™ Full Advisory — Concierge Intelligence

Everything in the Buyer Review plus deeper logbook analysis, risk-ranked findings, a mechanic focus checklist tailored to the specific aircraft's record signals, negotiation talking points, and a direct briefing call with a commercial pilot, former broker, and institutional risk executive. For buyers who want the complete records-based picture before committing to deposit.

Deep Logbook Analysis Risk-Ranked Findings Mechanic Focus Checklist Negotiation Talking Points Briefing Call
$499
04
Physical Inspection — Not Provided by Vantage
Pre-Buy Inspection — Qualified A&P or IA

AeroScore™ is a records intelligence layer, not a substitute for a physical inspection. Once public-record screening and logbook review are complete, a qualified A&P mechanic or IA should conduct a pre-buy inspection of the aircraft. The AeroScore™ mechanic focus checklist — included in Full Advisory — gives your inspector a record-signal-informed list of what to look for.

Performed by A&P or IA Not Provided by Vantage AeroScore Checklist Supports This Step
External
⚠ SCOPE
AeroScore™ is a records intelligence product. It surfaces records-based risk signals from logbooks, FAA public data, and NTSB filings. It is not a substitute for a physical inspection, a title opinion, an appraisal, or an airworthiness determination. Use it as an intelligence layer — not as a final answer.
Not an Inspection Not an Appraisal Not a Title Opinion Not an Airworthiness Determination Not a Condition Assessment

Start the Process
The Pulse Check is Step One.
Not the whole answer.

Most buyers run a free registry lookup and think they've done their homework. They haven't. The registry tells you who owns it. The logbooks tell you how it was maintained, what was repaired and not disclosed, whether the annual is actually current, and how many hours are left on the engine. AeroScore™ reads that layer. The Pulse Check starts the process — the full report finishes it.

Request Full Report →

Common Questions About
Aircraft Due Diligence
What is aircraft due diligence?

Aircraft due diligence is the process of screening public records, reviewing logbooks and maintenance documentation, verifying AD compliance indicators, and assessing records-based risk signals before purchasing an aircraft. It is not an inspection, not an appraisal, and not an airworthiness determination — it is an intelligence layer that informs your decision before and alongside those steps.

What public records should I check before buying an aircraft?

Before buying an aircraft, screen the FAA Civil Aviation Registry for ownership and registration status, the NTSB database for accident and incident filings, the FAA Document Index for title and lien indicators, and FAA Service Difficulty Reports for fleet defect patterns on your aircraft's make and model. The free Pulse Check above runs all of these in a single screen.

Is a pre-buy inspection the same as aircraft due diligence?

No. A pre-buy inspection is a physical examination of the aircraft by a qualified A&P mechanic or IA. Aircraft due diligence covers the records and documentation layer — logbook continuity, AD compliance indicators, ownership chain, title status, and accident filings. Both are important. Neither replaces the other, and records intelligence should inform what your mechanic focuses on during the inspection.

How does AeroScore™ support aircraft due diligence?

AeroScore™ provides records-based risk signals across ten weighted categories — annual inspection currency, AD compliance indicators, engine TBO position, logbook continuity, ownership history, and more. It is a records intelligence report — not an inspection, appraisal, or airworthiness determination. It gives buyers a structured intelligence layer to inform their decisions and focus their pre-buy inspection.