Aviation & Marine
Aviation & Marine Equipment Financing in Canada
Finance commercial aircraft, helicopters, ground support equipment, vessels and marine engines through one process with access to 40+ financing sources. Raymond Leigh arranges aviation and marine equipment financing for Canadian commercial operators, typically from about $50,000 to $5 million.
At a Glance
Aviation & Marine Financing in Canada: At a Glance
What can be financed
Commercial aircraft, helicopters, avionics, ground support, commercial vessels, workboats, marine engines and electronics.
Transaction size
About $50,000 to $5 million per transaction.
Commercial use
Financing is for business and commercial use. Recreational aircraft and pleasure boats are outside our focus.
Used equipment
Used aircraft and vessels may be considered based on age, maintenance records, condition and survey or inspection.
Registration
Aircraft and vessel registration and security filings are part of the process. Financing sources will guide the requirements.
Where
Commercial operators anywhere in Canada may apply.
Why Businesses Finance
Financing Built Around Commercial Operators
Aircraft and commercial vessels are some of the most valuable assets a business can operate. Charter operators, flight schools, aerial work companies, fishing fleets, ferry operators and marine contractors all depend on them to earn revenue.
They also come with detailed records. Logbooks, maintenance status, airworthiness, marine surveys and registrations all affect value. Lenders who understand aviation and marine assets know how to read those records; general lenders often do not.
Raymond Leigh works with financing sources that understand both sectors. We focus on commercial and business use, from a single helicopter or workboat to ground support fleets and marine repowers.
Equipment
Aviation & Marine Equipment We Finance
These are the main categories of aviation and marine equipment we work with.
Aircraft
Fixed-wing aircraft, turboprops, commercial aircraft and flight school aircraft.
Rotorcraft
Commercial helicopters for charter, utility, medical and resource work.
Ground support
Ground power units, aircraft tugs, de-icing equipment and airport service vehicles.
Avionics and hangar
Avionics upgrades, hangar equipment and maintenance equipment.
Vessels
Commercial vessels, workboats, tugboats, fishing vessels, passenger vessels and service boats.
Marine equipment
Commercial marine engines, outboards, generators, navigation systems, electronics and deck equipment.
Aviation
Aviation Financing
Yes, commercial aircraft and aviation equipment can be financed in Canada, subject to the aircraft's records and condition and the operator's profile.
Aircraft Financing
Fixed-wing aircraft and turboprops are financed for charter, cargo, medevac, flight training and corporate use. Financing sources review logbooks, maintenance status, damage history and registration with Transport Canada. Some aircraft and engines are also covered by the international registry created under the Cape Town Convention.
Helicopter Financing
Commercial helicopters are financed for charter, utility, forestry, firefighting and resource support. Component times, maintenance programs and the operator's experience and contracts are central to the review.
Ground Support Equipment Financing
Ground power units, aircraft tugs, de-icing equipment, fuel trucks and airport service vehicles are financed by FBOs, ground handlers, airlines and airports. Several units can be financed together.
Avionics & Aviation Equipment Financing
Avionics upgrades, hangar equipment and maintenance tooling can be financed by operators and maintenance organizations. Upgrades can sometimes be financed on their own when the aircraft is already owned.
Marine
Marine Financing
Yes, commercial vessels and marine equipment can be financed in Canada, subject to the vessel's survey, registration and use, and the operator's profile.
Commercial Vessel Financing
Fishing vessels, passenger vessels, tugboats and other commercial vessels are financed for commercial operators. A recent marine survey is usually required, and vessels on the Canadian Register of Vessels can carry a registered marine mortgage.
Workboat Financing
Workboats, landing craft, barges and service boats are financed for marine construction, aquaculture, port services and environmental work. Contracts supporting the vessel strengthen the file.
Marine Engine Financing
Commercial marine engines, repowers and outboard engines are financed for operators improving reliability or fuel efficiency. A repower can often be financed without refinancing the whole vessel.
Commercial Marine Equipment Financing
Marine generators, navigation systems, electronics, cranes and deck equipment are financed for commercial vessels and marine contractors. See equipment financing for how these are structured.
Financing Options
Financing Options for Aviation & Marine Operators
The best structure depends on the asset, its records and how it is used.
Equipment Financing
Finance new or used aircraft, vessels and equipment with the asset as security.
Explore equipment financingEquipment Leasing
Lease structures can lower payments and provide flexibility at the end of the term.
Used Asset Financing
Used aircraft and vessels may be financed when records and inspections support value.
Upgrade Financing
Finance avionics upgrades, repowers and equipment installations.
Equipment Refinance
Borrow against equity in aircraft or vessels you already own.
Explore equipment refinanceSale-Leaseback
Sell owned assets to a financing source and lease them back to free up working capital.
Explore sale-leasebackUse Cases
Common Aviation & Marine Financing Scenarios
Adding a charter aircraft
A charter operator in Northern Ontario adds a turboprop to serve a new mining camp contract.
Expanding a flight school
A flight school adds two training aircraft to keep up with student demand.
Repowering a fishing vessel
A fishing company replaces aging diesels with newer, more efficient engines before the season.
Buying a workboat for a contract
A marine contractor finances a workboat and deck crane for a port maintenance contract.
Upgrading ground support
An FBO finances de-icing equipment and tugs ahead of winter.
Registration
Registration Notes for Aircraft and Vessels
Aircraft and vessels have their own registration systems, separate from most equipment. These are general notes, not legal advice.
Aircraft registration
Canadian aircraft are registered with Transport Canada. Some aircraft and engines are also subject to the international registry under the Cape Town Convention. Financing sources will set out the filings they need.
Vessel registration
Commercial vessels on the Canadian Register of Vessels can carry a registered marine mortgage. Vessels on the small vessel register generally cannot, which can affect financing.
Provincial registries
Equipment that is not registered federally, such as ground support or marine electronics, is usually secured through the PPSA registry in Ontario or the RDPRM in Quebec.
For aviation & marine dealers
How Aviation & Marine Equipment Vendors Can Offer Customer Financing
Aircraft dealers, helicopter brokers, marine dealers and aviation or marine equipment suppliers can offer customer financing through Raymond Leigh. You introduce the buyer, and we take the deal to financing sources that understand logbooks, surveys and registrations.
High-value commercial assets often stall at financing because the buyer's bank does not know how to value them. A customer financing program gives your buyers a path built for these assets and lets your team talk about payments alongside price.
Programs can cover new and used aircraft, helicopters, ground support, commercial vessels, engines and equipment. You keep the buyer and the sale. We handle the application, lender selection and closing documents.
How can aviation dealers offer financing?
Introduce the buyer and the aircraft details to Raymond Leigh. We arrange financing through third-party sources familiar with aviation assets.
How can marine dealers offer financing to commercial buyers?
The same way: refer the commercial buyer with the vessel or engine details, and we coordinate financing with sources that work with marine assets.
Can used aircraft and vessels be financed?
Often, yes, when logbooks, inspections or a recent survey support the value.
Why Raymond Leigh
One Financing Process. More Places to Take the Deal.
Aviation and marine assets need lenders who can read logbooks and surveys. Many general lenders cannot. Raymond Leigh brings one application to 40+ financing sources and routes it to the ones that know your aircraft or vessel.
- Aircraft, helicopters, ground support and avionics
- Commercial vessels, workboats, engines and marine equipment
- New and used assets where appropriate
- About $50K to $5M per transaction
- Refinancing and sale-leaseback on owned assets
- Canada-wide
How It Works
How Aviation & Marine Financing Works
Applying does not commit you to anything, and approval is never guaranteed. Here is what happens after you reach out.
Tell Us About the Equipment
Send the asset details, logs or survey, price and basic information about your business.
We Review the Transaction
We review the operator, the asset and its records.
We Identify Financing Options
Your file is matched with financing sources that work with aviation or marine assets.
Complete the Transaction
Once registrations, documents and conditions are complete, funding is coordinated with the seller.
FAQ
Aviation & Marine Financing Questions
Yes. Commercial aircraft can be financed based on the aircraft's logbooks, maintenance status and condition, along with the operator's experience and financial profile.
Yes. Commercial helicopters are financed for charter, utility and resource work. Component times and maintenance programs are reviewed closely.
Yes. Commercial fishing vessels can be financed, usually with a recent marine survey and proper registration.
Yes. Engines and repowers can be financed on their own without refinancing the vessel.
No. Raymond Leigh focuses on commercial and business use. Pleasure craft and personal aircraft are outside our focus.
Potentially. A refinance or sale-leaseback can turn equity in an aircraft or vessel into working capital, subject to its records and value.
Yes. Aircraft and helicopter brokers can introduce buyers with the aircraft specs and logbook summary, and we arrange financing through third-party sources.
Yes, when the vessel's survey, records and registration support the value.
Next Step
Finance the Aircraft or Vessel Your Business Needs
Tell us about the aircraft, vessel or equipment. We will review it and show you the options.