Gyroplane finance: funding a new or used gyrocopter
Gyroplane finance spreads the cost of a new or used gyroplane, also called a gyrocopter or autogyro, over an agreed term.…
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Helicopter finance: funding a new or used helicopter
How to finance a helicopter in the UK, for private owners, training schools and operators: hire purchase, aircraft mortgages, leasing and what lenders check.
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- Amount
- From £10,000 to £20 millionLarger amounts through secured, property and asset-based finance
- Security
- Secured or unsecuredOptions compared for your case
- Suitable businesses
- Sole traders to limited companiesPartnerships and LLPs too
- Lender panel
- 300+ lendersWhole-of-market search
In short
What you need to know.
Helicopter finance spreads the cost of a new or used helicopter over an agreed term through hire purchase, a loan secured on the aircraft or leasing.
Specialist aviation lenders look closely at the helicopter's hours, the time left before major overhauls and its maintenance records, as well as the buyer's finances and deposit.
About helicopter finance
Specialist knowledge. Better outcomes.
Helicopters are expensive to buy and to keep, and much of their value depends on hours and component life.
That makes helicopter finance a specialist market, where the lender's view of the aircraft matters as much as the borrower's accounts. This page explains how it works for private owners, training schools and operators. For other aircraft, see our aviation finance page.
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- Independent brokerSmart Funding Solutions is an independent broker, not a lender.
- Tailored to your caseYour case presented to lenders suited to it.
- Support from start to finishOur experts handle the process from start to finish.
Who helicopter finance suits
- Private owners buying a piston or turbine helicopter.
- Training schools adding or replacing training helicopters.
- Operators running charter, aerial work, filming or survey flights.
- Owners releasing cash from a helicopter they own outright.
Found a helicopter for sale?
Most helicopters for sale in the UK are listed by dealers, brokers and private sellers on aviation marketplaces and club noticeboards. Agree your finance in principle before you commit, so you know your deposit, term and monthly payment when you make an offer. For a private sale the lender will check that the seller owns the aircraft and that any finance against it is cleared, and will usually pay the seller directly once its security is in place. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified engineer protects you and the lender.
Specialist lenders on our panel
Arkle Finance and Close Brothers are both on our panel, and both run specialist aviation teams. Arkle publishes aviation finance for light aircraft and helicopters, including a dedicated autogyro finance service, and Close Brothers Aviation & Marine funds light piston aircraft, turboprops, helicopters and vintage aircraft, according to their websites. Smart Funding Solutions is an independent broker and is not part of either lender. We approach the lenders whose criteria fit your aircraft and set the offers side by side.
Hours, overhauls and component life
A helicopter's engine and many major components have fixed lives, measured in hours or calendar time, after which they must be overhauled or replaced at significant cost. Lenders check how much life is left and may set the term so the loan is repaid, or a reserve is built, before a major overhaul falls due. Full logbooks and maintenance records are essential, and gaps reduce what a lender will advance.
Commercial operation
A helicopter flown for hire, charter or training needs the operator to hold the right approvals, and the income from that work supports the repayments. Lenders will ask for the operating approvals, contracts or bookings, and the business accounts. The Civil Aviation Authority sets the rules on registration, maintenance and commercial operation.
Business use and personal use
Finance for an aircraft bought by a company, partnership or sole trader for its business is commercial lending. Finance for an individual buying an aircraft for personal or leisure flying can be regulated consumer credit, which follows different rules and protections. Tell us at the outset who will own the aircraft and how it will be used, so the right lenders and the right agreement are used.
Costs to consider
Compare the total amount payable, fees, any balloon and the early settlement terms. Insurance, hangarage, scheduled maintenance and overhaul reserves are large ongoing costs, and lenders take them into account when they check affordability.
Useful sources
Before you buy, check the aircraft on G-INFO, the CAA register of UK aircraft. Commercial operators can find industry guidance from the British Helicopter Association.
Underwriting
What lenders look at
01
The helicopter: make, model, age, hours, time to overhaul and records.
02
Your deposit, typically 10% to 30% of the price for aircraft.
03
For a business: accounts, bank statements, approvals and the income the aircraft generates.
04
For a private buyer: income, assets and credit history.
05
Insurance with the lender's interest noted, and where the aircraft is based.
Side by side
Compare your options
How the main business finance structures work. Lenders set their own terms, so treat this as a guide to the questions to ask.
| Option | How you repay | Security | Often used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsecured business loan | Fixed instalments, usually monthly | No charge over assets; a personal guarantee is usually required | Growth, stock, tax bills and cash flow |
| Secured business loan | Fixed instalments, often over a longer term | A charge over property or other assets | Larger sums, property and refinancing |
| Revolving credit facility | Interest on what you draw; repay and redraw | Varies by lender and case | Recurring or uneven cash flow gaps |
| Merchant cash advance | A share of future card takings | No charge over assets | Card-taking businesses with uneven months |
| Asset finance | Regular payments over the life of the asset | The asset being financed | Equipment, vehicles and machinery |
| Invoice finance | Settled as customers pay their invoices | Your unpaid invoices | Businesses waiting on customer payment |
General information only. Every lender has its own criteria, and all finance is subject to status.
How helicopter finance works
| Structure | How it works | Often suits |
|---|---|---|
| Hire purchase | Deposit, then fixed payments; ownership passes at the end | Owners keeping the aircraft |
| Aircraft mortgage (secured loan) | A loan secured on the helicopter | Private buyers and companies |
| Leasing | Paying to use the helicopter without owning it | Operators renewing aircraft regularly |
| Refinance | Borrowing against a helicopter you already own | Funding an overhaul or another purchase |
The broker’s view
How we help
Tell us the aircraft, the price, your deposit and who will own it. We match it against the aviation lenders on our panel, approach the ones that fit and present the case once, with the aircraft details and your accounts or income. The lender carries out its own checks and approval is always its decision. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed separately before you proceed. To see your options now, use our instant quotes tool.
FAQs
Questions clients ask
Can I get finance on a helicopter?
Yes. Specialist aviation lenders fund new and used helicopters through hire purchase, secured loans and leasing, for businesses and, with some lenders, private buyers. Expect a deposit and a close look at the aircraft's hours and records.
Do lenders finance older helicopters?
Some do, but they look closely at hours, time to overhaul and records. Many lenders set a maximum age at the end of the term, so an older helicopter may get a shorter term or need a larger deposit.
Can a training school finance a helicopter?
Yes. Lenders look at the school's accounts, student numbers, approvals and how the aircraft will be used. A newer school may be asked for a larger deposit and personal guarantees.
Can I finance an engine overhaul on a helicopter?
Often, yes, either as a loan or by refinancing a helicopter you already own. If the aircraft is already financed, speak to your existing lender first, as the agreement may restrict further borrowing.
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What our clients say
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