The principle of co-ownership
Aircraft co-ownership means sharing ownership of an aircraft among several pilots, typically two to four, each holding a share and contributing to fixed and variable costs proportionally. It's a common way to access a more capable or newer aircraft than you could afford solo, at an equivalent budget.
Financial advantages
By splitting the purchase price and fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual maintenance) among several co-owners, each one gains access to an aircraft whose cost would otherwise be out of budget as sole owner. A three-way co-ownership typically cuts the annual fixed cost per person by 60 to 70% compared with sole ownership.
Which legal structure to choose
Three structures are commonly used in Europe: simple joint ownership (flexible but offers little protection in case of disagreement), a civil company (an aviation-specific SCI or local equivalent, the most common and most secure structure), or a flying club set up as an association. A civil company is generally recommended once the number of co-owners exceeds two.
Precautions before partnering up
- Draft a written agreement — cost sharing, exit terms, share valuation: everything must be formalized before the purchase, not after a disagreement.
- Choose co-owners with a compatible profile — similar expected usage (leisure vs. frequent travel), a maintenance budget accepted jointly.
- Set a clear exit clause — right of first refusal for the other co-owners, method for valuing a share in case of resale.
- Anticipate disagreements over maintenance — who decides on a non-mandatory but recommended overhaul, and how its cost is shared.
Organizing the usage schedule
A shared booking tool (a dedicated online calendar) avoids most usage conflicts. Many co-ownerships set simple rules: mandatory advance booking beyond a weekend, rotating priority for school holidays, and an indicative annual hour quota per co-owner to prevent any one person from monopolizing the aircraft.