New aircraft order supervision — from factory slot to delivery

A new aircraft is not bought the way a used one is. Between signing the contract and the first flight there is a year to three, and for all that time the aircraft exists only on paper. Someone has to make sure it turns out the way it was ordered.

How it works

• choosing the manufacturer and model for the task, not for the brochure
• the place in the queue: the production slot drives the delivery date as much as the order itself
• specification: avionics, layout, range, options — every line costs money and some of it cannot be added later
• the contract with the factory: payment schedule, liability for delay, penalties
• build oversight: inspections at the key stages, not photographs
• interior completion: materials, furniture, entertainment system, sign-off on samples
• acceptance: ground and flight checks, a snag list and its clearance before signature
• registration, import and entry into service

Where money and time are lost

Three typical mistakes. The first is ordering the specification «like the neighbour's»: the configuration has to follow your flight profile, otherwise you pay for range you never use and skip what you would need on every flight.

The second is saving on oversight. The factory builds to the contract, but contracts are read by people, and discrepancies surface at acceptance, when fixing them costs the most.

The third is leaving import and registration until after delivery. The aircraft is ready but cannot fly: the paperwork and customs start alongside the build, not after handover.

What you end up with

The client receives not «an aircraft from the factory» but a working asset: with its documents, a registered tail number, crew and maintenance in place. And knows what every dollar of the specification paid for.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the wait for a new aircraft?

One to three years depending on the model and the factory's backlog. The date is set by the production slot, so a place in the queue is sometimes worth more than the price.

New or pre-owned?

New gives you your own configuration, full warranty and fresh maintenance programmes. Pre-owned saves money and time. The line is drawn by planned annual hours and by how critical the configuration is for you.

Can the specification be changed after the contract is signed?

Up to certain build stages — yes, at extra cost and possibly a later delivery. After that — no. Which is why the specification is worked out before signature, not along the way.

Who clears the snags found at acceptance?

The factory does, before handover, provided they are recorded in the acceptance report. That is exactly why acceptance is never a formality: a signed report closes the question for good.