Below is a step-by-step walk-through of how you join the Craft Pod, what you put in, the costs you’ll see up front and on-going, and when you can get money back out. Everything comes straight from the official Program Documents.
Craft Pod is open to qualified investors who meet certain criteria. Since this is a private placement (essentially a securities offering), investors must be accredited investors as defined by the SEC.
In plain terms, that usually means:
an individual with over $1 million net worth (excluding your primary home), or
income over $200,000/year (or $300,000 with a spouse) for the past two years,
or another qualifying category.
These rules ensure participants are financially sophisticated and can handle the risks of this illiquid investment.
If you’re investing through a trust, LLC, or other entity, that entity (or its owners) must also meet similar financial criteria. Craft will ask you to complete a questionnaire or certification to confirm your accredited status during the subscription process.
Your commitment at a glance
Craft Pod sets a minimum investment to ensure each member has a meaningful stake and the Pod has enough capital to operate effectively. The exact amount can vary, but there is a clear minimum contribution that you’ll be informed of during the sign‑up process.
Item | Amount | Why it matters |
Minimum investment | $1 million in freely-tradable stock or cash | Ensures enough scale to support both the investment and flight program.Gives you scale for both the investment and flight program. |
Working-capital reserve | 15% of your contributed amount | Covers aircraft deposits, maintenance, and portfolio rebalancing. This becomes part of your capital account. |
Onboarding fee | 5% of your contribution | One-time setup fee paid to the Manager at closing. |
$10,000 (credited toward the onboarding fee) | Reserves your spot in the Pod until its closing. |
Flight access
For every $1 million you invest, you get 10 flights per year at the occupied-hour rate listed in the Use Agreement.
How the funding process works
Here's what to expect, step by step:
Apply & sign
Complete and return the Subscription Agreement, Applicant Questionnaire, and Pod Agreement signature page.
Send deposit
Wire the $10,000 deposit within ten days of acceptance.
Wait for closing
When the Pod reaches enough total commitments, the Manager sets a “closing date” and calls for the rest of the funds.
Make your contribution
On the Contribution Date, you’ll transfer your securities, working-capital cash, and pay the remaining onboarding fee.
Get your confirmation
You’ll receive your official capital-account statement showing your opening balance and how many Pod units you own.
What does it cost, when can I exit, and how do profits flow to me?
Ongoing costs
Management fee: 1.5% per year on your total contribution.
Pod expenses: Brokerage, audit, legal, and similar fund costs are paid by the Pod, not by you separately.
Flight charges: When you fly, you pay the occupied-hour rate, plus surcharges and third-party costs exactly as descirbed out in the Use Agreement.
Lock-up and exit option
Your contribution is locked up for five years — no withdrawals during this time unless the Manager approves a hardship request.
After five years, you can:
Redeem your investment for cash at net asset value.
Roll your investment into the next Craft Pod.
Possibly access other liquidity options (if available).
How profits, losses, and depreciation flow to you
Each of your contributions has its own capital-account sub-ledger to track your share.
Bonus depreciation on aircraft is allocated proportionally. Investors with higher outside basis (usually cash investors) often get a bigger first-year deduction.
Every year you’ll receive a Schedule K-1 and audited financials showing your share of profits, losses, and tax benefits.
Key risks to remember
Before making a decision, remember these risks:
Market & concentration risk – The equity portion of your investment can go up or down with the public markets.
Liquidity risk – The five year-year lock-up period limits your ability to redeem early.
Operational risk – Weather, AOG (Aircraft on Ground) events, or regulatory changes can affect flight schedules and costs.
Tax & regulatory changes – Changes to capital-gains, bonus-depreciation or other tax rules could affect expected benefits.
Please read our full disclosures before making an investment decision.