Van Bortel Aircraft: What You Need to Know Before Buying a Cessna

If you’re in the market for a Cessna, you’ve probably come across Van Bortel Aircraft. They’re one of the biggest Cessna retailers out there, based in Arlington, Texas. I’ve talked to enough pilots who’ve bought through them to have some informed opinions about what they do well and what to watch out for.

Who They Are

Howard Van Bortel started this company back in 1985 with a focus on making aircraft sales less… well, sketchy. The industry had a reputation for hidden fees and surprise costs. Van Bortel built their business on transparent pricing – the price you agree on is what you pay.

Over the decades, they’ve become one of the largest Cessna dealers in the country. They sell both new and pre-owned aircraft, with inventory ranging from training planes like the 172 Skyhawk to high-performance options like the TTx.

Their Cessna Lineup

They specialize in Cessna for good reason – it’s a brand known for reliability and performance. Here’s what they typically have:

• Cessna 172 Skyhawk: The workhorse. Flight schools love it, private owners love it. Durable, easy to fly, reasonable operating costs.
• Cessna 182 Skylane: More power and payload capacity. Good for longer trips or flying from higher altitude airports.
• Cessna TTx: The speed demon of the lineup. Glass cockpit, composite construction, serious performance. For pilots who want to go fast.

The Customer Service Angle

What I hear most from people who’ve bought from them is that the sales process isn’t as painful as expected. No hidden fees popping up at closing. Clear communication about what you’re getting and what it costs.

They work with several financial institutions for financing, which helps buyers who don’t have $200k+ sitting around. The terms and rates seem competitive based on what buyers report, though always shop around to be sure.

The 90-Day Warranty

This is one of their differentiators for pre-owned aircraft. Buy a used plane from them and you get 90 days of warranty coverage. That’s not nothing when you’re buying a complex machine that could surprise you with expensive problems.

They inspect each aircraft before sale, which gives some confidence about what you’re getting. But as with any used vehicle purchase, having your own pre-buy inspection done is still wise.

The Buy-Back Guarantee

This one’s interesting: if you’re not happy with your purchase, they’ll buy the airplane back. I don’t know how often this actually gets used, but it signals confidence in what they’re selling. It’s not something you see from every dealer.

Service and Support

They have a full service center with experienced technicians. Regular maintenance, annual inspections, repairs – they can handle it. Having a parts sourcing network means less downtime waiting for components.

Buying from a dealer with in-house service capabilities has advantages, especially when you’re early in aircraft ownership and learning what maintenance means.

The Buying Experience

Aircraft purchases can be intimidating. Lots of paperwork, FAA registration, insurance requirements, escrow services. Van Bortel apparently walks buyers through all of it.

Demo flights before purchase – important for an aircraft of any significant value. You get to fly it, feel how it handles, verify it matches your expectations. Their sales people reportedly know the products technically, not just from a sales sheet perspective.

Community Involvement

They’re active in aviation events and support flight schools and training programs. Not sure how much that matters to an individual buyer, but it suggests they’re invested in the broader aviation community rather than just transactions.

Should You Buy From Them?

Reputation matters in aircraft sales. Van Bortel has built a solid one over almost 40 years. The transparent pricing, warranty coverage, and buyback policy all reduce the risk of buying a major asset.

That said, do your due diligence. Get an independent pre-buy inspection. Compare financing offers. Talk to other owners who’ve bought from them. The reviews are generally positive, but every buyer’s situation is different.

If you’re specifically looking for a Cessna and want a dealer who specializes in that brand, Van Bortel should be on your short list to evaluate. The combination of inventory, service capabilities, and buyer protections makes them worth considering.