Don’t make the mistake of categorizing Armstrong Aviation, Inc. simply as an aircraft "brokerage." According to founder and CEO Matt Armstrong, the lengths to which his company goes for its clientele place Armstrong Aviation into a classification of its own.

"Anybody can get on the Internet or pick up an Aerotrader and find an airplane; that’s easy," he says. "But we’ve got sources where we can find more aircraft than you can, and we’ve got all the software and knowledge to build a matrix of your wants and needs where we can cut that list down in a very timely manner. We can streamline the process for you, and our commission is paid for by the time and value saved."

As opposed to a traditional aircraft trader, Armstrong says his company gets deeper into the fray and works with a number of different needs on the customers’ part. As a result, this whole approach makes the process of selecting and buying an aircraft much more accessible and less intimidating for companies and individuals inexperienced in aviation, which are nonetheless looking to purchase an aircraft.

"If it’s a new buyer who’s going through a learning curve, we can cut that ‘curve’ down considerably with the knowledge and experience we have," explains Armstrong. "We have relationships with shops; we know what to look for on most pre-buys; we know where to get pilots to crew the plane—whether it be buying, selling, maintenance, fuel or scheduling. We can handle any need you could possibly have."

Armstrong first learned to anticipate those needs due to his father’s ownership of an aviation company that distributed avionics. After completing college, his father provided him with some contacts; and next thing he knew, Armstong was selling jet engines. That job progressed into aircraft sales, where he made many of the relationships and contacts so vital to his business today. Shortly thereafter, Armstrong struck out on his own as an entrepreneur, starting a business in aircraft sales and acquisition.

"I experienced a very similar learning process as my clients often do," he says. "The advantage I had was my father was involved in aviation, so there were already people I trusted in this industry. I could get the answers more quickly than having to learn the lessons on my own, so my learning-curve was probably a little less steep than most other people out there."

At the same time, Armstrong explains, as the aircraft industry constantly moves with the market, the rules of the game are perpetually changing as well. To this end, even buyers with good credit often find themselves overwhelmed with the amount of research and effort required to secure a good deal.

"Especially right now, within the last four months—financing hasn’t exactly been hard to get, but it’s been hard to get the terms that you want and need," he says. "We keep track of how the industry is evolving, so when our customers need financing and they only want to put 15 percent down, we know where to go versus the typical financing situation where financiers want 30 percent down. That’s where we really come in and help our clients."

In this particular economic climate, then, it appears the services Armstrong Aviation provides are more essential than ever for aircraft buyers. Although even the experts have no way of knowing when the market will hit its true "bottom," Armstrong is confident that now is a better time than ever for those in the market to buy an aircraft.

"I can tell you right now—for a buyer, there are some serious deals out there," he concludes. "Good deals are available where, if you hold the aircraft for five years, you’re going to sell the aircraft for more than you paid for it. You may have to go to one or two aircraft, because some sellers won’t negotiate to that rock-bottom price; but I promise you one out of those three aircraft will go there, and it will probably be 40- to 50-percent less than last year at this time. Without a doubt, it will be a good capital investment, and Armstrong Aviation is ready to help you find that price."

For more information, visit www.ArmstrongAviationInc.com or call 512-878-2207.