Customer Overview
A private flight school serving students across the U.S. has built a strong reputation for excellence in flight instruction and safety. With over 275 active students and a waitlist that continues to grow, the need to scale operations is clear. Meeting that demand depends not just on enrollment capacity, but on the ability to invest in the right aircraft at the right time.
As part of their continued growth strategy, principals of the flight school identified a fourth aircraft as essential to increase student capacity and maintain revenue momentum. The aircraft was selected, a $100,000 non-refundable deposit was placed, and preparations were underway. Then the financing hit a wall.
The Need
Although the privately-owned flight school was financially sound, their initial financing provider—a traditional bank—could not meet the timeline required to close the deal. The process was delayed by exposure limits, lengthy underwriting, and a projected 30–60 day funding window. That delay put the purchase and subsequent growth of the company at risk.
The implications were immediate:
- A potential loss of the $100,000 deposit
- An inability to serve more flight school students
- A temporary halt to operational growth
- Disruption to flight schedules and training availability
The school needed a strategic financing partner quickly—one that understood the time sensitivity, the operational impact, and the industry-specific documentation that comes with aviation purchases. That’s when they turned to Equify Financial.
The Challenge
What made this situation unique wasn’t just financial distress—it was speed. The flight school didn’t need a rescue—it needed a path forward and a lender who understood the complexities of aviation lending and could deliver more than an off-the-shelf loan product.
Working with the original lender introduced multiple bottlenecks:
- Inability to approve within the necessary timeframe
- Concerns over internal exposure limits
- Lack of familiarity with FAA documentation and aviation escrow logistics
The client wasn’t getting a clear “no”—but they also weren’t getting a timeline they could rely on. That ambiguity created real risk to a time-sensitive transaction.
Equify's Approach
From the first conversation, Equify Financial focused on crafting a financing solution that matched the urgency and complexity of the deal. We took the time to understand the business model—how the aircraft would contribute to training capacity and revenue, and how financing terms would impact operational cash flow.
The solution included:
- A 7-year amortization with a 3-year balloon, balancing near-term affordability with long-term flexibility
- A financing structure aligned with training revenue cycles and aircraft maintenance planning
- Collaboration with an aviation attorney to expedite escrow and title logistics
- Removal of unnecessary documentation requirements (such as flight logs) to streamline underwriting
This wasn’t a standard loan—it was a tailored financial tool designed to help the client move forward without sacrificing operational stability.
Execution and Timeline
Despite an unforeseen delay, Equify Financial remained fully engaged throughout. Clear communication, consistent updates, and proactive coordination ensured the deal stayed on track.
- Deal closed in approximately 35 days
- Aircraft was deployed into the fleet within 30–45 days of the client’s initial request
- Equify’s internal FAA credentials were renewed as part of the process—future aviation deals will now move even faster
Results and Business Impact
This transaction preserved the client’s investment, allowed them to expand their fleet without operational interruption, and protected their revenue timeline.
Outcomes:
- $100,000 deposit protected
- Immediate increase in student training capacity
- No disruption to ongoing flight schedules or onboarding
- Strengthened operational ability during a peak demand period
The success of the transaction also contributed to process improvements at Equify, creating a repeatable model for future aviation clients and expanding internal knowledge around complex specialty asset financing.
Strategic Financing in Action
This transaction demonstrates Equify’s role as a strategic financing partner, helping clients navigate challenges with custom, actionable solutions. Where a traditional lender saw limits, Equify saw an opportunity to structure a solution that worked. We don’t just approve loans—we build them around your goals, your timeline, and your business model.
This client didn’t need another delay. They needed a financing solutions partner who could move fast, think critically, and help protect what they’d already built.
Let's Talk
If you’re navigating similar growth challenges—whether in aviation, construction, transportation, or equipment leasing—Equify is ready to support your next move.
We’re here to offer more than financing. We’re here to offer financing solutions.
Ready to move forward? Let’s talk.
