Transparent pricing structure without pretending every ferry mission is the same
This page explains how AFS may structure aircraft ferry pricing, what ballpark planning examples can look like, what payment methods are preferred, how deposits and pass-through costs may work, and why official pricing still requires a mission-specific quote.
These starting points are planning examples, not official quotes
The figures below are non-binding starting-point examples based on AFS internal pricing guidance. They are not offers, guarantees, flat rates, or maximum prices. Your actual quote may be lower, higher, or unavailable depending on aircraft status, route, timing, insurance, pilot qualification fit, documentation, third-party costs, weather, permits, and operational review.
Why publish planning ranges at all?
Serious clients need a realistic starting point before investing time in a quote request. AFS uses ballpark examples to explain the structure, while still protecting clients from one-size-fits-all pricing that may overcharge simple missions or understate complex ones.
Common aircraft ferry starting points
These examples generally refer to the AFS service-fee portion unless otherwise stated. Pass-through costs such as pilot travel, lodging, ground transportation, handling, parking, customs, permits, fuel-related charges, de-icing, and similar third-party costs may be separate.
Short domestic single-engine piston relocation
AFS service-fee starting point: about $780+ before pass-through costs.
Best fit for a clean, ready-to-go piston move with flexible timing, straightforward access, current information, and no unusual document or aircraft-status issues.
Longer domestic single-engine piston ferry
AFS service-fee starting point: about $780+; final price rises with added flight/travel days and logistics.
A longer route is not automatically expensive, but extra days, repositioning travel, fuel-stop complexity, weather windows, and handoff needs can move the total up.
Domestic multi-engine piston delivery
AFS service-fee starting point: about $1,920+ before pass-through costs.
Multi-engine assignments can still be straightforward when records, insurance path, aircraft status, and route details are clear early.
Single-engine turboprop repositioning
AFS service-fee starting point: about $2,830+ before pass-through costs.
Turboprop missions often involve longer routes and insurance-driven pilot fit, but a clean domestic move can still price from a defined starting point.
Twin turboprop / King Air-class mission
AFS service-fee starting point: about $4,170+ before pass-through costs.
Higher-performance aircraft usually require more formal coordination, but the quote still depends on the real route, crew profile, and aircraft readiness.
Light jet / typed repositioning
AFS service-fee starting point: about $6,180+ before pass-through costs.
Typed or jet repositioning is quoted carefully because crew qualification, insurance, scheduling, and aircraft-manager expectations can materially affect scope.
Owner-assist / second-pilot support
Starting add-on: about $500+ per support day plus applicable expenses.
Used only when the requested owner-authorized support fits the aircraft, mission, insurance path, and AFS service model.
Special flight permit / recovery-style review
Starting add-on: about $650+ plus outside costs when applicable.
Permit-related or special-condition moves require careful document, maintenance-provider, insurer, and operational review before any quote can be relied on.
How payment may work once a quote is accepted
AFS typically separates the professional service fee from estimated pass-through or reimbursable trip costs. That keeps the quote cleaner and makes it easier to reconcile variable expenses fairly after the mission.
| Assignment type | Deposit at acceptance | Estimated expenses | Balance / reconciliation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard domestic assignment | 50% of AFS service fee at acceptance | 100% of estimated pass-through costs before dispatch | Remaining service-fee balance due 24 hours before departure; reconciliation due within 3 business days if actuals differ. |
| International, typed, recovery, or high-complexity assignment | 75% of AFS service fee at acceptance | 100% of estimated pass-through costs before dispatch; replenishment may be required if scope changes | Remaining balance due before departure unless AFS approves a written exception. |
| Approved repeat B2B client | 25%–50% deposit or approved exception | 100% of estimated pass-through costs before dispatch | Net 5 balance terms may be available only after clean payment history and approved payment method on file. |
| Rush or launch-within-24-hours assignment | 50%–75% immediately | 100% of estimated expenses immediately | Balance due before dispatch or departure because short-fuse missions leave little time to correct funding issues. |
AFS prefers reliable payment methods that clear before resources are committed
Aircraft ferry work can require pilot scheduling, travel booking, document review, insurance coordination, and third-party expenses before departure. Payment structure protects both sides by confirming funding before AFS commits time and cash exposure.
Quote validity and revision
Standard domestic quotes are generally valid for 7 calendar days unless stated otherwise. International, typed, permit-heavy, or volatile-cost assignments may use a shorter validity window, often 3–5 days.
Quotes may need revision if aircraft condition, records, route, timing, insurance approval, airport conditions, weather, third-party costs, or client instructions differ materially from the assumptions used to prepare the quote.
Know the difference between service fee and pass-through costs
AFS professional service fee
Planning, coordination, pilot sourcing/fit review, scheduling, client communication, mission preparation, and the professional assignment fee for the accepted scope.
Estimated pass-through costs
Pilot travel, lodging, ground transport, parking, handling, customs, permit, de-icing, fuel-related or other third-party costs may be estimated before launch and reconciled to actuals later.
Outside the normal quote
Repairs, maintenance, parts, troubleshooting, undisclosed discrepancies, legal/import/export/tax advice, insurance placement, and airworthiness approvals are not AFS services unless a quote states a narrow coordination item.
Need pricing for a real aircraft movement?
Use the quote form when you have the aircraft, route, timing, aircraft status, and handoff details. AFS can then evaluate the mission-specific cost structure instead of guessing from a generic public rate.