AeroPlanet Guides
Data-driven guides built from our own NTSB, FAA Service Difficulty Report, and FAA registry data — plus practical, step-by-step how-tos for researching an aircraft before you buy.
FAA Service Difficulty Reports, By Aircraft Type: What the Real Numbers Show
We pulled FAA Service Difficulty Report coverage across every engine type in our own database. The gap between piston and turbine aircraft is bigger than most buyers expect — and it's not about safety.
Read the guide → 2026-09-23Why Most Small Aircraft Show “No Service Difficulty Reports” (And Why That's Not a Red Flag)
A blank Service Difficulty Report history is the norm for privately owned aircraft — here's the actual regulation behind why, straight from the FAA's own filing requirements.
Read the guide → 2026-09-23How to Research an Aircraft's History Before You Buy It — a Free, Step-by-Step Guide
Before you make an offer on any aircraft, here's exactly how to pull its FAA registration status, ownership history, and full accident/incident record — free, in a few minutes.
Read the guide → 2026-09-23The 35,764 Aircraft in NTSB's Database That Aren't in Any FAA Registry Search
NTSB's accident data includes aircraft that never show up in a US FAA registry search. We expected that population to be mostly foreign-registered aircraft. The real numbers say otherwise.
Read the guide → 2026-09-23What “Unknown” FAA Registration Status Actually Means (It's Not a Red Flag)
A small share of aircraft in our database show “Unknown” instead of “Valid” registration status. Here's what that actually reflects — and why it isn't the same thing as a problem.
Read the guide → 2026-09-23Cessna 172 Skyhawk Safety Record: What NTSB and FAA Data Actually Show
The best-selling aircraft in history, by the numbers: we pulled the Cessna 172 Skyhawk's full NTSB accident and FAA Service Difficulty Report history from our own database.
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