Why First Turboprop Finance is Different
A piston-to-turboprop transition typically means stepping from a £50,000–£300,000 aircraft to a £500,000–£5m purchase. This brings you into the territory of specialist aircraft finance lenders, bespoke credit assessment and the need for an experienced broker who knows the market.
Lenders will also assess your flying experience - some require a minimum number of turboprop hours, a current type rating, or evidence of planned training. We advise on lender criteria before submission to avoid rejected applications.
Choosing Your First Turboprop
Popular choices for first-time turboprop buyers include the Piper Meridian (entry-level, manageable costs), the TBM 700/850 series (step up, excellent performance), and the Pilatus PC-12 (largest cabin, strong residual values). Each has different finance profiles.
We help buyers model the total cost of ownership - finance, insurance, maintenance, hangarage and fuel - alongside the purchase finance. An aircraft you can finance but not afford to operate is not the right choice.
Using Existing Aircraft Sale Proceeds as Deposit
Most first-time turboprop buyers use proceeds from the sale of their current piston aircraft as deposit. We manage the timing of sale and purchase to ensure funds are available at completion without creating a gap in flying. Bridging finance can cover any shortfall if the sale and purchase timelines don't align perfectly.
Worked Example
Why Doulton Bridging Finance?
We are a specialist aircraft finance broker with access to the whole of the UK market - including lenders not available directly to the public. We handle the packaging, lender negotiations and documentation so you can focus on the aircraft. Our service is transparent, our advice is honest, and we flag any complexities upfront.
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