Dear Helicopter Owner,

You probably became successful (and a resultant helicopter owner) by taking financial risks. My name is Ron Anderson and I also take risks. Since 1981, I have owned more helicopters than any other individual in the world. Some large companies, like PHI and AirLogistics have owned more, but no individuals.

There are people calling themselves dealers who send you letters saying they want to "buy" your helicopter. What they really want is a listing to broker it. Six months later, just before their listing runs out, they call me and ask me to make them an offer. Then they call you and tell you that (my offer) is all they have. And they still have the gall to hold out their hand for a commission.

If you want to sell your helicopter, then we should visit. Now, I admit I’m not a retail customer. I work on a margin. But when you factor in your insurance, hangar, maintenance, and lost opportunity cost, it usually works out that my offer nets you more in the end. It is certainly hassle-free, and there is nothing more valuable than your time. I will close a transaction within 48 hours of a clear title search.

There is another factor – liability. Most owners don’t realize that if they sell their helicopter themselves, or even through a broker, the liability falls back on them. There are jaw-dropping cases where previous owners have been held liable for things they had no knowledge of. Prior owners have been held into cases far away from their jurisdiction. A California court held a Georgia seller into a case filed in California, even though the ship was purchased in Georgia and had an acceptance inspection completed in Georgia.

There is one other factor that has come up recently. Some states are cracking down on sales and use tax avoidance. They are holding brokers responsible for collecting these taxes. Most brokers are not registered with the state to collect the tax and most buyers try to avoid paying it. The title usually goes from the seller (you) to the buyer, so the states could try to come back on you for the tax. I have not seen them do that yet, but they are getting more aggressive in their collection efforts, and helicopters are a big target.

My bankers and previous customers are my best references. I will be happy to provide them upon request. If your helicopter is for sale, I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,