Professional Certified Aircraft Appraisals and Market Evaluations
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Evaluation Information
Member - National Aircraft Appraisers Association
   
 

How to Grade an Aircraft for Evaluation

 

The following information is supplied to assist you in grading an aircraft for market evaluation purposes. NAAA members have a very long and detailed grading system which includes very detailed instructions to remove the "subjective" factors when grading aircraft. The instructions listed below are summarized for those who wish to grade an aircraft for evaluation purposes.

AIRFRAME GRADING INSTRUCTIONS

  • Excellent: Structural exterior surfaces are flawless. External surfaces (aluminum, epoxy, wood and fabric) are wrinkle, crease and blemish free. Rivet, stitch or glue lines are straight and even. Rivets are pulled evenly. There is no evidence of any abnormalities and in every sense of the word the aircraft is in flawless, brand new condition with absolutely no damage history.
  • Very Good: Exterior surfaces are almost flawless. The aircraft has no skin or structural repairs and no damage history. Aircraft total time for year, make and model are considered low time. Good: Airframe shows very well with a few areas of minor dents or deformations. Airframe is corrosion free, however it may have had minor surface corrosion which has been repaired and corrosion treated. Cowling fasteners may show wear, along with inspection panels, door and cargo door entry areas. Any repairs to airframe were accomplished in a manner which are undetectable and the only physical evidence of repairs are log entries and FAA Form 337Ęs. Any damage history would not have involved major structural components of the airframe (wing spar, etc.). Any hail damage would have been repaired in a manner which is undetectable.
  • Average: The airframe will be structurally sound. The leading edges may show evidence of abrasion wear. The surfaces under the wings, fuselage and gear may show some evidence of nicks and abnormalities from prop slung pebbles, etc. Minor surface corrosion may be evident on external surface which can easily be repaired by stripping, chemically treating and repainting the affected areas. The exterior surfaces may show minor hail damage which would not be noticeable within 20 feet of the aircraft. Aircraft may have sustained damage, but has been repaired in a manner which is consistent with factory recommendations and procedures for repair. Airframe may have one or two small cracks which need to be stop drilled. Overall there may be some hangar rash type of discrepancies on the airframe which do not need to be repaired and do not affect the safety or flight performance of the aircraft. The overall appearance of the airframe is good.
  • Poor: The airframe is in poor condition and would require maintenance before the aircraft could pass an Annual Inspection. The aircraft has deteriorated to a point that continued service would be unwise.


EXTERIOR PAINT GRADING INSTRUCTIONS

  • Excellent: Paint is flawless. All external painted surfaces have a deep, rich, wet look. There is no pooling, sagging, running, orange peeling, thin areas or over-spray on any painted surfaces. All striping and numerals are well defined with crisp lines and no irregularities. The paint should be of high quality. If a re-paint, all surfaces have been stripped and prepared properly, and consistent with the paint manufacturers recommended procedures.
  • Very Good: Exterior painted surfaces are almost flawless. There may be a very few chips in paint under the fuselage from prop slung pebbles. The paint looks new and the above discrepancies are only detectable from a very close inspection.
  • Good: The paint has a good shine with some abrasion wear on leading surfaces but is still retaining good coverage. Any repainted surfaces or touch up areas are not noticeable. The paint may be new with a limited amount of orange peel, pooling, sags or over-spray. However, painted surfaces are well protected and the aircraft has good eye appeal.
  • Average: Paint is oxidized and has numerous areas of chipping on lower surfaces of aircraft. Leading edges show significant signs of abrasion wear, but are protected by paint. Surface corrosion may be apparent on the airframe and will affect paint because the painted surface must be stripped in order to treat the corrosion. Overall appearance is fair within 20 feet.
  • Poor: Paint is poor quality, oxidized and shows excessive wear on leading edges and control surfaces. Many chips and scratches are apparent and overall the aircraft needs painting. However, the paint for the most part, is protecting the aircraft surfaces, but is unattractive.


INTERIOR GRADING INSTRUCTIONS

  • Excellent: Interior is flawless condition. All material, fabric, plastic, carpet, headliner, wood cabinetry etc. are spotless with no matting, scratches or any signs of wear. All seams are straight, tight and in general the interior looks, feels and smells new. Very Good: Interior is almost flawless. The carpet at the entry area, cockpit, pilots, and/or the copilots seat may show slight signs of matting.
  • Good: The interior is clean with no tears, major stains or fading or excessive wear of fabric, plastic, wood cabinetry, or headliner. The carpet at entry and cockpit areas may show signs of wear but are not ragged. All stitching is tight, although the seams may not be straight, and the interior may need to be cleaned. The interior would look satisfactory after a cleaning.
  • Average: Entry areas, cockpit, and other high use areas, show significant signs of wear and/or stains. Seat cushions, headliner and side panels may have stains, loose stitching, fading, and in general have a well used appearance. Any needed repairs are minor in nature. The interior may need a good cleaning, but after cleaning, the interior would still have a well used appearance.
  • Poor: The interior has all the condition of average except that the extent of repairs is excessive. The interior as is, is in poor condition and is not serviceable.

DAMAGE HISTORY CLASSIFICATION

  • Superficial Damage History: Light dings generally associated with hangar rash, etc. which have been repaired by replacing damaged areas with new/used serviceable components (Wing tip caps, wheel pants, plastic etc.).
  • Minor Damage History: Minor damage or heavy wear to leading edges of wing, wing tip, cowling etc. which have been repaired in a manner consistent with good maintenance practices. No major structural components are involved.
  • Moderate Damage History: Extensive damage to components not affecting major structural components.
  • Major Damage History: Major structural component damaged. Damaged components replaced with non-damaged components, (i.e. wing, fire-wall and engine mount etc.).
  • Extensive Major Damage History: All major structural components extensively damaged.

DE-ICING GRADING INSTRUCTION

  • Excellent: Flawless and in new condition.
  • Very Good: Condition of de-icing boots are almost flawless. The boots will have no physical evidence of any deterioration and are soft to the touch, and are shiny.
  • Good: Generally the boots are soft and appear to be in good condition except there may be one or two patches which have been properly applied and are adhering to the surface of the de-icing boot.
  • Average: Several patches and repairs have been accomplished. The texture of the boot is getting harder and tiny hair-line cracks are beginning to become visible. The boots are functioning properly and are in good airworthy condition.
  • Poor: Boots look poor and dry rot is evident. Patches are numerous and in general the boots are ready for re-placement, although they are still functional.