Ernie Killingsworth: A Reputable Aircraft Appraiser

Ernie Killingsworth, our chief appraiser at Killingsworth Aircraft Valuation Service LLC, started in the aerospace industry in 1962. Over the years, he has handled several roles as a military pilot, commercial pilot, aerospace engineer, aircraft maintenance officer, and executive in marketing, sales, and financial departments.

His initial background in aircraft and systems valuation occurred in the US Navy, while he was assigned to a test and evaluation squadron from 1967 to 1969. Through this job, Ernie gained valuable experience in cost and performance comparisons of aircraft, weapons, and sensor systems.

From 1969 to 1985, Ernie worked as a commercial airline pilot. There, he was exposed to the industry’s sensitivity to operating efficiency and cost.

He was then assigned as an operations analyst at the engineering department from 1985 to 2003. He worked directly with design engineers and customers while developing the Gulfstream V and IV (GV and GIV) aircraft, coordinating the performance and costs to fit the needs of potential buyers and operators.

After earning his MBA degree in 1990, Ernie moved to the marketing department, where he managed the development of Gulfstream’s first computerized database system. This contributed to a 200% increase in aircraft sales over the next 3 years.

In 1996, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation created Gulfstream Financial Services, where Ernie joined as the Director of Marketing and Technical Services. He tracked business aircraft values for the next seven years, providing appraisals and residual value forecasts for the company as well as some of the largest lending and leasing entities in the world.

Throughout his stay in the company, Ernie completed many aircraft appraisals on turboprop and turbojet aircraft in lieu of financing and leasing transactions worth over $900 million. He also represented financial institutions in deliveries to several foreign buyers, conforming to US, CAC, EASA, and CAA regulations.

In 2003, Ernie formed Killingsworth Aircraft Valuation Service LLC. He has since completed all requirements needed to be an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the ASA. Among his duties is to adhere to the ASA Code of Ethics and the USPAP.

Through the years, he has completed appraisals and diminution of value reports on propeller aircraft, jet aircraft, helicopters, and aviation-related support equipment for several of the world’s largest finance and leasing companies. He has also provided expert testimony in support of his appraisal work.

His clients include the following:

• CIT Group
• Chase Bank
• International Bureau of Aviation (IBA)
• Yupo Bank
• Bank of America
• GATX Corporation
• Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
• Hawker Aircraft Limited
• Cessna Aircraft Company
• BNP Paribas S.A.
• NetJets
• Greensborough Model Aircraft Club (GMAC)
• Midfirst Bank
• Bank of the West
• Aircarfts Structures International Group

Ernie’s business and character references also include the following:

• Byron Edwards – Aviation Financial Consulting Services
• Ken Dufour – Aviation Management Consulting
• Karl Jansens – AC-U-KWIK Appraisals

He can also provide a list of Attorney clients and litigation projects upon request.