The Value of Words

The aircraft maintenance profession has a set of terms and vocabulary that is used to describe how we maintain aircraft. Every trade or profession has evolved a vocabulary of its own in which words and phrases, that may also be in common everyday use, are given special meaning within the profession.
Likewise, the vocabulary of aircraft values may be generally well understood within the appraiser's profession, but aircraft maintenance professionals also may need to understand the vocabulary of the aircraft appraiser. You may be asked to review one of these written appraisal reports that utilize various terms that describe the aircraft's value.

Determining value
An aircraft appraisal is a determination of an aircraft's value. The most common types of values are: Base Value, Market Value, Distress Value, and Securitized Value also known as Lease-Encumbered Value. Unique circumstances may require other specific definitions, but these would generally be defined in the appraiser's report. As much as possible, appraisers will use terms that follow established guidelines. Where the circumstances of a particular appraisal assignment dictate a departure from these guidelines, the appraiser's report should clearly state the definitions attached to terms that are used in the report to preclude any possibility that they could be misunderstood.

Base Value
Base Value is the Appraiser's opinion of the underlying economic value of an aircraft in an open, unrestricted, stable market with a reasonable balance of supply and demand. This market environment assumes full consideration of the aircraft's "highest and best use," and is founded in the historical trend of values as well as in the projection of value trends and presumes an arm's-length, cash transaction between willing, able and knowledgeable parties, with an absence of duress. Also, it is assumed that there is reasonable period of time available for marketing.
In most cases, the Base Value of an aircraft further assumes its physical condition is average for an aircraft of its type and age. The aircraft's maintenance time status is at mid-life, mid-time (or benefiting from an above-average maintenance status if it is considered new or nearly new, as the case may be). Since Base Value pertains to a somewhat idealized aircraft and market combination, it may not necessarily reflect the actual value of the aircraft in question, but is a nominal starting value to which adjustments may be applied to determine an actual value. The Base Value definition is commonly applied to analyses of historical values and projections of residual values (aircraft's value at a future date, often at the time of the conclusion of a long-term lease) because it is related to long-term market trends. This is not the same as the terms haul/parts value, scrap value, or salvage values that refer to an asset after its useful life is ended. These terms usually refer to the estimated or actual selling price or the net return after removal or disposal costs.

Market Value
Market Value (or Fair Market Value, Current Market Value, or Current Fair Market Value), is the Appraiser's opinion of the most likely trading price that may be generated for an aircraft under the market circumstances that are perceived to exist at the time in question. Market Value assumes that the aircraft is valued for its highest and best use and that the parties to the hypothetical sale transaction are willing, able, prudent and knowledgeable. All parties are under no unusual pressure for a prompt sale. Also, it is assumed that the transaction would be negotiated in an open and unrestricted market on an arm's-length basis, for cash or equivalent consideration. There would be an adequate amount of time for effective exposure to prospective buyers.
The Market Value of a specific aircraft will tend to be somewhat consistent with its Base Value in a stable market environment. Where a reasonable equilibrium between supply and demand does not exist, trading prices, and therefore Market Values, are likely to be at variance with the Base Value for a particular aircraft. Market Value may be based upon either the actual (or specified) physical condition and maintenance time status of the aircraft. Alternatively, market value may depend upon an assumed average physical condition and mid-life, mid-time maintenance time status.

Distress Value
Distress Value is the Appraiser's opinion of the price at which an aircraft could be sold under abnormal conditions, such as an artificially limited marketing time period, the perception of the seller being under duress to sell, an auction, liquidation, commercial restrictions, or legal complications. Although the seller is uncommonly motivated, the parties to the transaction are otherwise assumed to be willing, able, knowledgeable and prudent. They negotiate at arm's-length, normally under the market conditions that are perceived to exist at the time. While the Distress Value normally implies that the seller is under some duress, there are occasions when buyers, not sellers, are under duress or time pressure and, therefore, willing to pay a premium value.

Securitized Value
Securitized Value or Lease-Encumbered Value is the Appraiser's opinion of the value of an aircraft, under lease, given a specified lease payment stream (rents and term), and estimated future residual value at lease termination, and an appropriate discount rate. The Securitized Value may be more or less than the Appraiser's opinion of Current Market Value. Moreover, the Appraiser may not be fully aware of the credit risks associated with the parties involved, or may not have ready access to information about provisions of the lease that may pertain to items such as security deposits, purchase options at various dates, term extensions, sub-lease rights, repossession rights, return conditions and reserve payments that may include maintenance reserves.

Mid-time and Mid-life
The terms mid-time and mid-life are often referred to as "half-time" or "half-life," and describe the maintenance time status of an aircraft or engine. Mid-time pertains to scheduled inspections or overhauls that are repeated at specific time intervals and thus means that the status is mid way through the respective applicable interval. Mid-life applies to items that have a mandated life limit. The appraiser adjusts the value of each aircraft component on the aircraft accordingly.
The aircraft value is highly dependent on how closely the aircraft maintenance program is followed. The value is influenced by all the maintenance actions that restore or maintain the aircraft in a serviceable condition. These maintenance requirements include servicing, repair, modification, overhaul, inspection, as well as preservation and storage. Value is significantly affected if the scheduled maintenance is not performed.
The maintenance program, defines the logical sequence of maintenance actions. The maintenance actions are performed as events or as phases of the whole which, when viewed collectively, result in the aircraft being maintained to a desired standard. The program may be from the manufacturer or developed by the operator but the end result is the same.
There is a lot that needs to be considered when you review an appraisal report stating the value of an aircraft. Hopefully you are prepared to do this because you now know the "value" of the words used. Keep 'em Flying.