Definition
In aviation, leasing is a common method for operators to acquire aircraft without the capital outlay of purchasing. The two primary leasing structures are wet leases and dry leases, and they differ fundamentally in what is included beyond the aircraft itself. A wet lease (also called an ACMI lease — Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provides the lessee with a fully operational aircraft along with flight crew, maintenance support, and hull and liability insurance. The lessor retains operational control and responsibility for the aircraft's airworthiness. Wet leases are typically short-term arrangements used to cover seasonal demand, replace aircraft during maintenance, or quickly enter new markets. In the flight training context, a wet lease might involve one school leasing a fully crewed and maintained aircraft from another operator to handle a temporary surge in student demand. A dry lease provides only the bare aircraft. The lessee assumes responsibility for crewing, maintaining, insuring, and operating the aircraft under their own Air Operator Certificate or operating authority. Dry leases are longer-term arrangements, often spanning several years, and are the more common structure for flight schools looking to expand their fleet without purchasing aircraft outright. Under a dry lease, the school has full operational control over scheduling, maintenance decisions, and instructor assignments.
Why It Matters for Flight Schools
Fleet financing decisions are among the most consequential business choices a flight school owner makes. Purchasing aircraft outright requires significant capital and carries depreciation risk, while leasing preserves cash but creates ongoing rental obligations. The choice between wet and dry leasing depends on factors like the school's maintenance capability, insurance arrangements, fleet size goals, and the duration of the need. For helicopter training operations, where aircraft acquisition and operating costs are particularly high, leasing is especially prevalent. A helicopter flight school might dry-lease its core training fleet for predictable, long-term needs while using wet-lease arrangements for specialty aircraft types used in advanced courses or for temporary capacity during peak enrollment periods.
How Aviatize Handles This
Aviatize accommodates both owned and leased aircraft within its fleet management system. Each aircraft record can include lease terms, return conditions, and lessor contact information, helping school administrators track their obligations and plan for lease renewals or returns. The platform treats leased aircraft identically to owned aircraft for scheduling, maintenance tracking, and billing purposes. For schools with mixed fleets — some owned, some dry-leased, and perhaps a wet-leased aircraft for seasonal use — Aviatize provides a unified view of the entire operation regardless of ownership structure. Cost tracking can be segmented by ownership type, allowing owners to compare the true per-hour economics of owned versus leased aircraft and make informed fleet composition decisions.