Aircraft Leasing FAQs | Nesher Aviation

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about turning aircraft capital expenditures into predictable operating costs with Nesher Aviation.

What is a dry lease?

A dry lease is an aircraft leasing arrangement where the lessor (Nesher Aviation) provides the aircraft, and the lessee (your flight school) is responsible for crew, maintenance, insurance, and all operational costs. You operate the aircraft as if it were your own, with the financial flexibility of leasing. One key difference with Nesher: engine overhaul costs are covered under the lease, removing one of the largest maintenance expenses from your books.

What aircraft do you offer for lease?

Our go-to aircraft are the Tecnam P-Mentor for single-engine training and the P2006T for multi-engine – modern, fuel-efficient airframes designed from the ground up for flight training. If your program needs something different, we’ll work with you to find the right aircraft for your operation.

What are typical lease terms?

We structure leases from 3 to 10 years so your fleet costs move with your revenue – not against it. End-of-lease terms, including extension, aircraft swap, or buyout, are all part of the upfront agreement. No surprises when the lease matures.

Who handles maintenance?

It’s a dry lease, so you maintain the aircraft the same way you would if you owned it – your team, your MRO, your schedule.

The big difference: Nesher covers engine overhaul costs. That’s one of the single largest expenses in fleet operations, and it’s off your plate. The specifics are built into the lease agreement upfront.

Do I need my own insurance?

Yes – as the operator, you carry insurance on the aircraft. Adding a leased aircraft to your existing aviation policy is typically straightforward.

What happens at the end of the lease?

End-of-lease options – extension, transition to newer aircraft, buyout – are discussed and structured into the agreement from the start. That way, when the lease is approaching maturity, you have defined paths in front of you and you choose which route to take. No scrambling, no renegotiating from scratch.

How quickly can I get an aircraft?

It depends on the situation. Many times it could take less than a week. Other times, we’re working with delivery timelines, configurations, and other factors that take longer. Either way, we do everything in our power to speed things up and align delivery with your program schedule.

Is leasing better than buying for flight schools?

It comes down to one question: do you want aircraft on your balance sheet, or cash in your operations? Buying means a massive capital expenditure – hundreds of thousands tied up in a depreciating asset, plus the financial risk of ownership. Leasing flips that equation. Your aircraft cost becomes a predictable monthly operating expense that scales with your revenue. Capital stays liquid for hiring instructors, marketing, facility upgrades, and growth. With Nesher, you also get engine overhaul coverage and the ability to scale your fleet as enrollment grows – without the headache of reselling aircraft you’ve outgrown.

Is there a down payment?

Zero. That’s the power of converting a capital expenditure into an operating expense. No down payment, no large cash outlay on day one. Instead of sinking capital into aircraft ownership, you start flying immediately while your cash stays where it belongs: fueling your business operations and growth.

Why Tecnam aircraft for flight training?

Today’s students want to train on aircraft that reflect what they’ll be flying professionally. Tecnam aircraft come standard with modern glass cockpit avionics – the same type of environment they’ll transition into at the airlines. Beyond that, they’re purpose-built for training: much lower fuel burn than legacy trainers, airframes designed for high-utilization cycles, and a much lower cost per hour to operate. It’s a modern training experience that makes the numbers work for your school.

Still Have Questions?

Our team is happy to answer any additional questions about our leasing programs.