APM structures leases that work for both parties. We handle the aircraft — sourcing, refurbishment, annual inspections, and the major expenses. You focus on training pilots and growing your school.
From first conversation to aircraft in your hangar — APM makes the leasing process straightforward and transparent at every stage.
Fill out the Lease Request form or call us directly. We'll discuss your fleet needs, training volume, desired aircraft type, and timeline to understand what you're looking for.
APM leverages its nationwide network to locate the right aircraft for your school. Chris, our IA A&P and former DPE, vets every aircraft personally before it goes into the program.
Every APM aircraft arrives with a fresh annual inspection completed. Paint, interior, and avionics are addressed as needed before delivery — at APM's cost.
We finalize the lease terms together. A 40-hour deposit is collected at signing. Billing is based on Hobbs meter hours, with usage reports due by the 10th of each month.
Aircraft is delivered to your airport. APM remains your partner throughout — handling major expenses and staying accessible for any questions or issues that arise during the term.
The process starts with a conversation — not a sales pitch. Call (805) 757-6376, email bill@avproman.com, or fill out the Lease Request form. Tell us the aircraft type, your estimated monthly hours, your airport, and any special requirements such as cold-weather equipment or specific avionics. The more specific you can be, the faster we can source the right aircraft.
APM taps its network of aircraft owners, dealers, and partners across the country to locate the right match. Every candidate goes through a thorough mechanical review by Chris Fitch — our co-founder, IA A&P, and former Designated Pilot Examiner. We're looking at logbooks, airframe history, engine time, avionics status, and overall airworthiness. You never receive an aircraft that hasn't been fully evaluated.
Before any aircraft enters an APM lease, it receives a fresh annual inspection — paid for by APM. Paint, interior condition, and avionics upgrades are negotiated as part of the overall lease agreement. APM coordinates all pre-delivery maintenance so the aircraft arrives at your school flight-ready, with documentation in order.
Once both parties are aligned on terms, we execute the lease agreement. The lessee provides a deposit equal to 40 hours at the agreed rate — this is held and applied per the terms of the agreement. The lease minimum is one year with a 40-hour monthly hour commitment. High-volume operators flying 80 or more hours per month may negotiate adjusted rates. Billing is based on Hobbs meter readings, with reports submitted by the 10th of each following month.
APM doesn't disappear after delivery. Bill and Chris remain accessible throughout the lease. When engine overhaul time comes, APM covers it. When it's time to repaint or update the interior, APM handles it based on the performance of the lease. You focus on operating a great flight school — we handle the major ownership costs and stay in your corner.
APM's lease structure is designed to be straightforward — fixed commitments, clear billing, and no surprises on the major costs.
All APM leases carry a minimum 12-month term. This provides the stability needed for both parties to invest in the relationship.
Lessees commit to a minimum of 40 Hobbs hours per month. Schools flying 80+ hours/month may negotiate adjusted per-hour rates.
A deposit equal to 40 hours at the agreed rate is collected at lease signing. Applied per terms of the agreement.
All billing is based on actual Hobbs meter hours — transparent and verifiable. No flat monthly fees that penalize slow periods.
Monthly usage reports are due by the 10th of the following month. APM invoices based on submitted Hobbs readings.
Paint, interior, and avionics upgrades are negotiable based on lessee performance and flight volume. High-performing partners get more.
APM covers the major ownership costs. You cover the day-to-day operating expenses. Here's the full breakdown — no fine print.
| Expense | APM Leasing Pays | Lessee (Flight School) Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Airframe & Engine | ||
| Engine overhaul | APM covers | — |
| Propeller overhaul | APM covers | — |
| Annual inspection (at delivery) | APM covers | — |
| Airframe maintenance & unscheduled repairs | — | Lessee covers |
| Engine maintenance & routine inspections | — | Lessee covers |
| Cosmetic & Avionics | ||
| Paint & exterior finish | APM covers | — |
| Interior refurbishment | APM covers | — |
| GPS / avionics database subscriptions | — | Lessee covers |
| Ownership & Finance | ||
| Aircraft financing / loan payment | APM covers | — |
| Property tax on the aircraft | APM covers | — |
| Day-to-Day Operations | ||
| Aviation insurance | — | Lessee covers |
| Fuel | — | Lessee covers |
| Tie-down / hangar fees | — | Lessee covers |
| Aircraft cleaning | — | Lessee covers |
| End of Lease | ||
| Return of aircraft at lease end | — | Lessee's responsibility |
Note: The division above is the standard APM lease structure. Specific terms — including avionics upgrades, paint schedules, and high-volume rate adjustments — are negotiated as part of the individual lease agreement. Contact us to discuss your school's specific situation.
Flight schools operate on tight margins. By covering engine overhauls, prop overhauls, paint, interior, financing, and property tax, APM eliminates the unpredictable major costs that can derail a school's cash flow. What you pay for — insurance, fuel, tie-down, and routine maintenance — are variable costs you already manage every day. The result is a lease structure that lets you model your costs accurately and invest in growing your student base instead of worrying about what happens when an engine approaches TBO.
Answers to what flight school operators ask most often before starting a lease with APM.