How HangarVault Works
A trusted marketplace for buying and selling aircraft. Verified identities, transparent auctions, and secure transactions powered by Escrow.com.
Step 1
Browse Listings
Explore live listings with detailed photos, logbooks, and maintenance history. Filter by category, make, year, price, and location.
Step 2
Create Account
Sign up with your email address. Your account lets you watch auctions, leave comments, and place bids.
Step 3
Verify Your Identity
Complete a quick identity verification through Stripe Identity. This protects sellers and ensures serious bidders only.
Step 4
Place Bids
Bid on aircraft you love. Our anti-snipe system extends the auction by 2 minutes if a bid is placed in the final moments.
Step 5
Win the Auction
If you are the highest bidder when the clock runs out, congrats! You will receive instructions to complete the purchase.
Step 6
Complete Purchase via Escrow.com
Funds are held securely by Escrow.com until the aircraft is inspected and title is transferred. Both parties are protected.
Step 1
Create Account
Register as a seller on HangarVault. Individual owners and dealers are both welcome.
Step 2
Verify Your Identity
Complete identity verification so buyers know they are dealing with a real, verified seller.
Step 3
Submit Your Listing
Fill out aircraft details, upload photos, specify auction duration and optional reserve price. Include maintenance records for best results.
Step 4
Admin Review
Our team reviews every listing for accuracy and completeness before it goes live. We may request additional information.
Step 5
Auction Goes Live
Your listing is published and promoted to the HangarVault community. Respond to comments and questions from potential buyers.
Step 6
Auction Ends
When the auction closes, the highest bidder wins (if reserve is met). You will be connected to finalize the transaction.
Step 7
Close via Escrow.com
The buyer funds an Escrow.com transaction. Once the aircraft changes hands and both parties confirm, funds are released to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to create an account?
Yes. Creating an account, watching auctions, and leaving comments are all free. Identity verification is also free for buyers.
What does identity verification involve?
We use Stripe Identity to verify a government-issued photo ID. The process takes about 2 minutes and is required before you can bid or list.
What is the buyer's premium?
Winning bidders pay a 5% buyer's premium on top of the hammer price, capped at $5,000. This fee supports the platform and ensures quality moderation.
How does the anti-snipe system work?
If a bid is placed within the last 2 minutes of an auction, the countdown resets to 2 minutes. This continues until no new bids arrive in the final 2 minutes, ensuring fair competition.
What is Escrow.com and why do you use it?
Escrow.com is a licensed escrow service that holds buyer funds until the aircraft transaction is complete. It protects both buyers and sellers from fraud and is the industry standard for high-value online transactions.
Can I set a reserve price?
Yes. Sellers can set a hidden reserve price. If bidding does not reach the reserve, the aircraft is not sold. No-reserve auctions tend to attract more bids and higher engagement.
What categories of aircraft can be listed?
We accept single-engine piston, multi-engine piston, turboprops, jets, helicopters, experimental/homebuilt, warbirds, light sport, gliders, ultralights, and avionics/parts.
Ready to get started?