Methods and systems for leasing equipment

• US 7,184,978 B1
• Filed: 11/28/2000
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Capital Aviation Services, Inc. (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Capital Aviation Services, Inc. (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Cunningham, John, Cosgrove, Patrick Arthur, Moore, Gerard, Tams, Anton, Bradburn, James Justin, Amico, Karen A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Backer; Firmin
• Application Number:
  US09/723,640
• Time in Patent Office: 2,282 Days
• Field of Search: 705/35, 705/26, 705/400, 705/27
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

Systems and methods that facilitate selection of particular equipment desired to be leased through contract execution are described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a server having a database for storing data relating to an aircraft fleet. The stored data includes specific information relating to aircraft in the fleet, as well as terms of existing leases for those aircraft in the fleet then currently leased. The system is accessible to the customer via a network such as a wide area network, e.g., an extranet accessible via the Internet, so that the customer can query the database and identify aircraft the meets specific mission requirements. The system facilitates meeting customer requirements in that a customer can readily select, via the system, multiple aircraft desired for lease without requiring involvement of the marketing executive. Such selections can be made by the customer any time, anywhere, at the customers convenience. Once the customer submits the selections, the marketing executive then initiates and actually prepares the term sheets for the aircraft based on the actual customer selections and using terms acceptable to the customer.

Claims

1. A method for operating a computer to facilitate a lease transaction involving an aircraft between a lessor and a customer, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a database for storing information relating to a plurality of aircraft for lease including specifications for each aircraft and, if the aircraft is currently being leased, the terms of the lease;

prompting the customer to select a lease transaction type for a specific type of aircraft to be leased;

prompting the customer to provide information required to generate at least one document for the selected lease transaction type, the customer provided information includes criteria of the aircraft and additional lease requirements including an aircraft type, an aircraft series, and an amount of engine thrust desired from the aircraft;

matching the customer provided information with the aircraft information stored within the database by applying predetermined search rules including;

a first rule wherein only aircraft selected as being available by the lessor are returned by a search, if the exact match is not available for a specified delivery date, matches in nearest available months are displayed;

a second rule wherein for each aircraft viewable by the customer, at least one of a country and region may be identified into which that aircraft may not be leased;

a third rule wherein for each aircraft, a tax based restriction may be specified, the tax based restriction includes a geographical region;

a fourth rule wherein aircraft engines are retrieved based on a minimum engine thrust amount; and

a fifth rule wherein aircraft are retrieved based on an aircraft weight;

displaying search results including each aircraft matching the customer provided information;

selecting by the customer an aircraft from the displayed search results;

modifying by the lessor the customer provided information to generate the at least one document;

generating the at least one document using the modified customer provided information and the customer selected aircraft, the at least one document including terms and conditions proposed by the lessor to the customer for leasing the customer selected aircraft to the customer by the lessor;

posting the generated document such that the customer and the lessor can view the document and document data, document data is information relating to the generation of the document including historical drafts of the document, each author of the historical drafts, and modification dates; and

tracking tasks to be performed, dates for performance, and parties responsible for performing the tasks as set forth in terms and conditions of the generated document including at least one of inspecting the customer selected aircraft, signing the generated document, and meeting regarding the lease transaction.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein prompting a customer to select a lease transaction type comprises the step of displaying a computer generated screen listing a plurality of lease transaction type selections.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said lease transaction type selections comprise at least one of a lease extension, a lease, and a purchase lease back agreement.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein for a lease extension, prompting the customer to provide information required to generate at least one document comprises the step of displaying information related to at least one lease to the customer.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein selecting by the customer an aircraft from the displayed search results further comprises:

automatically transmitting data relating to the aircraft selected by the customer to a technical project manager for the lessor, a fleet manager for the lessor, and a marketing executive for the lessor;

prompting the technical project manager to submit comments to the marketing executive regarding the aircraft selected by the customer including feasibility of supplying the selected aircraft, lead times for supplying the selected aircraft, and cost estimates for additional technical requirements; and

prompting the fleet manager to submit an allocation decision to the marketing executive regarding the aircraft selected by the customer.

6. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of searching a database to identify aircraft which match the criteria supplied by the customer in response to prompting the customer to provide information required to generate at least one document, and displaying to the customer at least some information relating to at least some of the aircraft identified as a match from the database search.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein a customer is prompted to select at least one of the identified aircraft, and wherein generating the document comprises the step of populating the selected document type with data related to the one identified aircraft.

8. A computer for facilitating a lease transaction involving an aircraft between a lessor and a customer, the computer programmed to:

store, in a database, information relating to a plurality of aircraft for lease including specifications for each aircraft and, if the aircraft is currently being leased, the terms of the lease;

prompt the customer to select a type of lease transaction for a specific type of aircraft to be leased;

prompt the customer to provide information required to generate at least one document for the selected lease transaction type, the customer provided information includes criteria of the aircraft and additional lease requirements including an aircraft type, an aircraft series, and an amount of engine thrust desired from the aircraft;

match the customer provided information with the aircraft information stored within the database by applying predetermined search rules including;

a first rule wherein only aircraft selected as being available by the lessor are returned by a search, if the exact match is not available for a specified delivery date, matches in nearest available months are displayed;

a second rule wherein for each aircraft viewable by the customer, at least one of a country and region may be identified into which that aircraft may not be leased;

a third rule wherein for each aircraft, a tax based restriction may be specified, the tax based restriction includes a geographical region;

a fourth rule wherein aircraft engines are retrieved based on a minimum engine thrust amount; and

a fifth rule wherein aircraft are retrieved based on an aircraft weight;

display search results including each aircraft matching the customer provided information;

prompt the customer to select an aircraft from the displayed search results;

enable the lessor to modify the customer provided information to generate the at least one document;

generate the at least one document using the modified customer provided information and the customer selected aircraft, the at least one document including terms and conditions proposed by the lessor to the customer for leasing the customer selected aircraft to the customer by the lessor;

post the generated document such that the customer and the lessor can view the document and document data, document data is information relating to the generation of the document including historical drafts of the document, each author of the historical drafts, and modification dates; and

track tasks to be performed, dates for performance, and parties responsible for performing the tasks as set forth in terms and conditions of the generated document including at least one of inspecting the customer selected aircraft, signing the generated document, and meeting regarding the lease transaction.

9. A computer according to claim 8 wherein to prompt a customer to select a type of lease transaction, said computer displays a computer generated screen listing a plurality of lease transaction type selections.

10. A computer according to claim 9 wherein said document type selections comprise at least one of a lease extension, a lease, and a sale and lease back agreement.

11. A computer according to claim 10 wherein for a lease extension, said computer displays, to the customer, information related to at least one lease.

12. A computer according to claim 8 wherein after the customer selects an aircraft from the displayed search results, the computer is programmed to:

automatically transmit data relating to the aircraft selected by the customer to a technical project manager for the lessor, a fleet manager for the lessor, and a marketing executive for the lessor;

prompt the technical project manager to transmit comments to the marketing executive regarding the aircraft selected by the customer including feasibility of supplying the selected aircraft, lead times for supplying the selected aircraft, and cost estimates for additional technical requirements; and

prompt the fleet manager to transmit an allocation decision to the marketing executive regarding the aircraft selected by the customer.

13. A computer according to claim 8 further programmed to search a database to identify aircraft which match the criteria supplied by the customer in response to prompting the customer to provide information required to generate the at least one document, and to display to the customer at least some information relating to at least some of the aircraft identified as a match from the database search.

14. A computer according to claim 13 further programmed to prompt a customer to select at least one of the identified aircraft, and wherein to generate the at least one document, said computer populates the document with data related to the one identified equipment.

15. A system for generating lease documents for leasing an aircraft between a lessor and a customer, said system comprising:

a database comprising information relating to a plurality of aircraft for lease including specifications for each aircraft and, if the aircraft is currently being leased, the database including the terms of the lease; and

a server configured to;

prompt the customer to provide information required to generate a document for a selected lease transaction type, the customer provided information includes criteria of an aircraft and additional lease requirements including an aircraft type, an aircraft series, and an amount of engine thrust desired from the aircraft;

match the customer provided information with the aircraft information by applying predetermined search rules including;

a first rule wherein only aircraft selected as being available by the lessor are returned by a search, if the exact match is not available for a specified delivery date, matches in nearest available months are displayed,

a second rule wherein for each aircraft viewable by the customer, at least one of a country and region may be identified into which that aircraft may not be leased;

a third rule wherein for each aircraft, a tax based restriction may be specified, the tax based restriction includes a geographical region;

a fourth rule wherein aircraft engines are retrieved based on a minimum engine thrust amount; and

a fifth rule wherein aircraft are retrieved based on an aircraft weight,

display search results including each aircraft matching the customer provided information;

prompt the customer to select an aircraft from the displayed search results;

prompt the lessor to select a type of document to be generated and to provide information required to generate the selected document type;

enable the lessor to modify the customer provided information to generate the document;

generate the at least one document using the modified customer provided information and the customer selected aircraft, the at least one document including terms and conditions proposed by the lessor to the customer for leasing the customer selected aircraft to the customer by the lessor;

post the generated document such that the customer and the lessor can view the document and document data, document data is information relating to the generation of the document including historical drafts of the document, each author of the historical drafts, and modification dates; and

track tasks to be performed, dates for performance, and parties responsible for performing the tasks as set forth in terms and conditions of the generated document including at least one of inspecting the customer selected aircraft, signing the generated document, and meeting regarding the lease transaction.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein said database further comprises at least one of data corresponding to an availability query submitted by the lessor including a marketing executive and related to a lease transaction, data corresponding to search results from execution of the availability query, data corresponding to a marketing executive desired aircraft configuration, and data corresponding to availability of aircraft for lease.

17. A system according to claim 15 wherein said server is configured to cause a screen listing a plurality of transaction type selections to be displayed at a client computer.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein said transaction type selections comprise at least one of a lease extension, a lease, and a purchase lease back agreement.

19. A system according to claim 17 wherein for a lease extension, said server causes said client computer to display information related to at least one lease.

20. A system according to claim 15 wherein after the customer selects an aircraft from the displayed search results, the server is configured to:

automatically transmit data relating to the aircraft selected by the customer to a technical project manager for the lessor, a fleet manager for the lessor, and a marketing executive for the lessor;

prompt the technical project manager to transmit comments to the marketing executive regarding the aircraft selected by the customer including feasibility of supplying the selected aircraft, lead times for supplying the selected aircraft, and cost estimates for additional technical requirements; and

prompt the fleet manager to transmit an allocation decision to the marketing executive regarding the aircraft selected by the customer.

21. A system according to claim 15 wherein said server is configured to cause said database to be searched to identify aircraft which match criteria supplied in response to prompting the lessor including a marketing executive to provide information required to generate the selected document type, and to display at a client computer at least some information relating to at least some of the aircraft identified as a match from the database search.

22. A system according to claim 21 wherein said server is further configured to prompt the marketing executive to select at least one of the identified aircraft, and wherein to generate the selected document type using the customer provided information, said server is configured to populate the selected document type with data related to the one identified aircraft.

23. A method for initiating a lease transaction involving an aircraft between a lessor and a customer, said method comprising the steps of:

prompting the customer to select a type of lease transaction for a specific type of aircraft to be leased;

prompting the customer to provide information regarding aircraft to be subject to the lease transaction, the customer provided information includes criteria of the aircraft and additional lease requirements including an aircraft type, an aircraft series, and an amount of engine thrust desired from the aircraft;

prompting the customer to request generation of a term sheet for the lease transaction;

matching the customer provided information with aircraft information by applying predetermined search rules, the aircraft information including specifications for a plurality of aircraft and, if an aircraft is currently being leased, the terms of the lease, the predetermined search rules including;

a first rule wherein only aircraft selected as being available by the lessor are returned by a search, if the exact match is not available for a specified delivery date, matches in nearest available months are displayed;

a second rule wherein for each aircraft viewable by the customer, at least one of a country and region may be identified into which that aircraft may not be leased;

a third rule wherein for each aircraft, a tax based restriction may be specified, the tax based restriction includes a geographical region;

a fourth rule wherein aircraft engines are retrieved based on a minimum engine thrust amount; and

a fifth rule wherein aircraft are retrieved based on an aircraft weight;

displaying search results including each aircraft matching the customer provided information;

selecting by the customer an aircraft from the displayed search results;

modifying by the lessor the customer provided information for generating the term sheet;

generating the term sheet using the modified customer provided information and the customer selected aircraft, the term sheet including terms and conditions proposed by the lessor to the customer for leasing the customer selected aircraft to the customer by the lessor;

posting the generated term sheet such that the customer and the lessor can view the term sheet and document data, document data is information relating to the generation of the term sheet including historical drafts of the term sheet, each author of the historical drafts, and modification dates; and

tracking tasks to be performed, dates for performance, and parties responsible for performing the tasks as set forth in terms and conditions of the generated term sheet including at least one of inspecting the customer selected aircraft, signing the term sheet, and meeting regarding the lease transaction.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein prompting a customer to select a type of lease transaction comprises the step of displaying a computer generated screen listing a plurality of lease transaction type selections.

25. A method according to claim 24 wherein said lease transaction type selections comprise at least one of a lease extension, a lease, and a purchase lease back agreement.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein for a lease extension, prompting the customer to provide information regarding aircraft to be subject to the lease transaction comprises the step of displaying information related to at least one lease to the customer.

27. A method according to claim 23 wherein selecting by the customer an aircraft from the displayed search results further comprises:

automatically transmitting data relating to the aircraft selected by the customer to a technical project manager for the lessor, a fleet manager for the lessor, and a marketing executive for the lessor;

prompting the technical project manager to submit comments to the marketing executive regarding the aircraft selected by the customer including feasibility of supplying the selected aircraft, lead times for supplying the selected aircraft, and cost estimates for additional technical requirements; and

prompting the fleet manager to submit an allocation decision to the marketing executive regarding the aircraft selected by the customer.

28. A method according to claim 23 further comprising the steps of searching a database to identify aircraft which match the aircraft criteria supplied by the customer in response to prompting the customer to provide information regarding the aircraft to be subject to the lease transaction, and displaying to the customer at least some information relating to at least some of the aircraft identified from the database search.

29. A method according to claim 28 wherein a customer is prompted to select at least one of the identified aircraft, and further comprising the step of generating a term sheet using the customer provided information.

30. A method for initiating a lease transaction involving an aircraft between a lessor and a customer, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a database for storing information relating to a plurality of aircraft for lease including specifications for each aircraft and, if the aircraft is currently being leased, the terms of the lease;

selecting, by the customer, from an electronic interface, a lease transaction type for a specific type of aircraft to be leased;

identifying, by the customer, from the electronic interface, information including criteria of aircraft desired to be subject to the lease and additional lease requirements including an aircraft type, an aircraft series, and an amount of engine thrust desired from the aircraft;

requesting, by the customer, from the electronic interface, a term sheet for the selected lease type and identified aircraft;

matching the customer provided information with the aircraft information by applying predetermined search rules including;

a first rule wherein only aircraft selected as being available by the lessor are returned by a search, if the exact match is not available for a specified delivery date, matches in nearest available months are displayed;

a second rule wherein for each aircraft viewable by the customer, at least one of a country and region may be identified into which that aircraft may not be leased;

a third rule wherein for each aircraft, a tax based restriction may be specified, the tax based restriction includes a geographical region;

a fourth rule wherein aircraft engines are retrieved based on a minimum engine thrust amount; and

a fifth rule wherein aircraft are retrieved based on an aircraft weight;

displaying search results including each aircraft matching the customer provided information;

selecting by the customer an aircraft from the displayed search results;

modifying by the lessor the customer provided information for generating the term sheet;

generating the term sheet using the modified customer provided information and the customer selected aircraft, the term sheet including terms and conditions proposed by the lessor to the customer for leasing the customer selected aircraft to the customer by the lessor;

posting the generated term sheet such that the customer and the lessor can view the term sheet and document data, document data is information relating to the generation of the term sheet including historical drafts of the terms sheet, each author of the historical drafts, and modification dates; and

tracking tasks to be performed, dates for performance, and parties responsible for performing the tasks as set forth in terms and conditions of the generated term sheet including at least one of inspecting the customer selected aircraft, signing the generated term sheet, and meeting regarding the lease transaction.

31. A method according to claim 30 wherein said lease transaction type comprises at least one of a lease extension, a lease, and a purchase lease back agreement.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein for a lease extension, said method comprises the step of identifying the lease desired to be extended.

33. A method according to claim 30 wherein identifying information including criteria of the aircraft desired to be subject to the lease comprises the step of identifying the desired aircraft type and the criteria to be satisfied by the desired aircraft.

34. Apparatus for facilitating a lease transaction involving an aircraft between a lessor and a customer comprising:

means for storing information relating to a plurality of aircraft for lease including specifications for each aircraft and, if the aircraft is currently being leased, the terms of the lease;

means for prompting the customer to select a type of lease transaction for a specific type of aircraft to be leased;

means for prompting the customer to provide information regarding aircraft to be subject to the lease transaction, the customer provided information including criteria of the aircraft and additional lease requirements including an aircraft type, an aircraft series, and an amount of engine thrust desired from the aircraft;

means for prompting the customer to request generation of a term sheet for the lease transaction;

means for matching the customer provided information with the aircraft information by applying predetermined search rules including;

a first rule wherein only aircraft selected as being available by the lessor are returned by a search, if the exact match is not available for a specified delivery date, matches in nearest available months are displayed;

a second rule wherein for each aircraft viewable by the customer, at least one of a country and region may be identified into which that aircraft may not be leased;

a third rule wherein for each aircraft, a tax based restriction may be specified, the tax based restriction includes a geographical region;

a fourth rule wherein aircraft engines are retrieved based on a minimum engine thrust amount; and

a fifth rule wherein aircraft are retrieved based on an aircraft weight;

means for displaying search results including each aircraft matching the customer provided information;

means for selecting by the customer an aircraft from the displayed search results;

means for modifying by the lessor the customer provided information for generating the term sheet;

means for generating the term sheet using the modified customer provided information and the customer selected aircraft, the term sheet including terms and conditions proposed by the lessor to the customer for leasing the customer selected aircraft to the customer by the lessor;

means for posting the generated term sheet such that the customer and the lessor can view the term sheet and document data, document, data is information relating to the generation of the term sheet including historical drafts of the terms sheet, each author of the historical drafts, and modification dates; and

means for tracking tasks to be performed, dates for performance, and parties responsible for performing the tasks as set forth in terms and conditions of the generated term sheet including at least one of inspecting the customer selected aircraft, signing the generated term sheet, and meeting regarding the lease transaction.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said means prompting a customer to select a type of lease transaction comprises means for displaying a computer generated screen listing a plurality of lease transaction type selections.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said lease transaction type selections comprise at least one of a lease extension, a lease, and a purchase lease back agreement.

37. Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein for a lease extension, said means for prompting a customer to provide information regarding aircraft to be subject to the lease transaction displays information related to at least one lease to the customer.

38. Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said means for prompting the customer to provide information regarding aircraft to be subject to the lease transaction comprises means for displaying a computer generated screen listing the aircraft criteria and delivery requirements.

39. Apparatus according to claim 34 further comprising means for searching a database to identify aircraft which match the aircraft criteria supplied by the customer in response to prompting the customer to provide information regarding the aircraft to be subject to the lease transaction, and means for displaying to the customer at least some information relating to at least some of the aircraft identified from the database search.

40. Apparatus according to claim 39 further comprising means for generating the term sheet using the customer provided information.

41. A system for facilitating a lease transaction for aircraft between a lessor and a customer, said system comprising:

a database comprising information relating to a plurality of aircrafts for lease including specifications for each aircraft and, if the aircraft is currently being leased, the terms of the lease; and

a server configured to;

prompt the customer to select a type of lease transaction for a specific type of aircraft to be leased;

prompt the customer to provide information regarding aircraft desired to be subject to the lease transaction, the customer provided information includes criteria of the aircraft and additional lease requirements including an aircraft type, an aircraft series, and an amount of engine thrust desired from the aircraft;

prompt the customer to request generation of a term sheet for the lease transaction;

match, based on a set of rules, the customer provided information with the aircraft information, the set of rules including;

a first rule wherein only aircraft selected as being available by the lessor are returned by a search, if the exact match is not available for a specified delivery date, matches in nearest available months are displayed;

a second rule wherein for each aircraft viewable by the customer, at least one of a country and region may be identified into which that aircraft may not be leased;

a third rule wherein for each aircraft, a tax based restriction may be specified, the tax based restriction includes a geographical region;

a fourth rule wherein aircraft engines are retrieved based on a minimum engine thrust amount; and

a fifth rule wherein aircraft are retrieved based on an aircraft weight;

display search results including each aircraft matching the customer provided information;

prompt the customer to select an aircraft from the displayed search results;

enable the lessor to modify the customer provided information for generating the term sheet;

generate the term sheet using the modified customer provided information and the customer selected aircraft, the term sheet including terms and conditions proposed by the lessor to the customer for leasing the customer selected aircraft to the customer by the lessor;

post the generated term sheet such that the customer and the lessor can view the term sheet and document data, document data is information relating to the generation of the term sheet including historical drafts of the term sheet, each author of the historical drafts, and modification dates; and

track tasks to be performed, dates for performance, and parties responsible for performing the tasks as set forth in terms and conditions of the generated term sheet including at least one of inspecting the customer selected aircraft, signing the generated term sheet, and meeting regarding the lease transaction.

42. A system according to claim 41 wherein to prompt a customer to select a type of lease transaction, said server causes to be displayed on a customer computer a computer generated screen listing a plurality of lease transaction type selections.

43. A system according to claim 42 wherein said lease transaction type selections comprise at least one of a lease extension, a lease, and a purchase lease back agreement.

44. A system according to claim 43 wherein for a lease extension, to prompt the customer to provide information regarding aircraft to be subject to the lease transaction, said server causes to be displayed on a customer computer information related to at least one lease to the customer.

45. A system according to claim 41 wherein to prompt the customer to provide information regarding aircraft to be subject to the lease transaction, said server causes to be displayed on a customer computer a display listing the aircraft criteria and delivery requirements.

46. A system according to claim 41 wherein said server is further configured to search said database to identify aircraft which match the aircraft criteria supplied by the customer, and to cause to be displayed on a customer computer at least some information relating to at least some of the aircraft identified from the database search.

47. A system for facilitating a lease transaction for an aircraft engine between a lessor and a customer, said system comprising:

a database comprising information for aircraft engines for lease including specifications for each aircraft engine and, if the aircraft engine is currently being leased, the terms of the lease; and

a server configured to;

prompt the customer to select a type of lease transaction for a specific type of aircraft engine to be leased,

prompt the customer to provide information regarding an aircraft engine desired to be subject to the lease transaction wherein the customer provided information includes criteria of the aircraft engine and additional lease requirements including an engine type, an engine series, and an amount of engine thrust desired from the engine,

prompt the customer to request generation of a term sheet for the lease transaction,

match the customer provided information with the aircraft engine information stored within the database by applying predetermined search rules including;

a first rule wherein only aircraft engines selected as being available by the lessor are returned by a search, if the exact match is not available for a specified delivery date, matches in nearest available months are displayed;

a second rule wherein for each aircraft engine viewable by the customer, at least one of a country and region may be identified into which that aircraft engine may not be leased;

a third rule wherein for each aircraft engine, a tax based restriction may be specified, the tax based restriction includes a geographical region;

a fourth rule wherein aircraft engines are retrieved based on a minimum engine thrust amount; and

a fifth rule wherein aircraft engines are retrieved based on an aircraft engine weight,

display search results including each aircraft engine matching the customer provided information,

prompt the customer to select an aircraft engine from the displayed search results,

enable the lessor to modify the customer provided information to generate the term sheet,

generate the term sheet using the modified customer provided information and the customer selected aircraft engine, the term sheet including terms and conditions proposed by the lessor to the customer for leasing the customer selected aircraft engine to the customer by the lessor,

post the generated term sheet such that the customer and the lessor can view the term sheet and document data including historical drafts of the term sheet, each author of the historical drafts, and modification dates, and

track tasks to be performed, dates for performance, and parties responsible for performing the tasks as set forth in terms and conditions of the generated term sheet including at least one of inspecting the customer selected aircraft, signing the generated term sheet, and meeting regarding the lease transaction.

48. A system according to claim 47 wherein to prompt a customer to select a type of lease transaction, said server causes to be displayed on a customer computer a display listing a plurality of lease transaction type selections.

49. A system according to claim 48 wherein said lease transaction type selections comprise at least one of a lease extension, a lease, and a purchase lease back agreement.

50. A system according to claim 49 wherein for a lease extension, to prompt the customer to provide information regarding an aircraft engine to be subject to the lease transaction, said server causes to be displayed on a customer computer information related to at least one lease to the customer.

51. A system according to claim 47 wherein to prompt the customer to provide information regarding an aircraft engine to be subject to the lease transaction, said server causes to be displayed on a customer computer a computer generated screen listing the aircraft engine criteria and delivery requirements.

52. A system according to claim 47 wherein said server is further configured to search said database to identify aircraft engines which match the aircraft engine criteria supplied by the customer, and to cause to be displayed on a customer computer at least some information relating to at least some of the aircraft engines identified from the database search.

53. A system according to claim 52 wherein said server is configured to cause to be displayed on a customer computer a prompt to select at least one of the identified aircraft engines.

54. A computer-readable medium for facilitating a lease transaction involving an aircraft between a lessor and a customer, the computer-readable medium comprising:

a record of customer submitted availability queries, the customer submitted availability queries include criteria of aircraft to be leased and additional lease requirements;

a plurality of rules for matching aircraft information to the customer submitted availability queries, the aircraft information including specifications for each aircraft, and if the aircraft is currently being leased, the terms of the lease, the plurality of rules including;

a first rule wherein only aircraft selected as being available by the lessor are returned by a search, if the exact match is not available for a specified delivery date, matches in nearest available months are displayed;

a second rule wherein for each aircraft viewable by the customer, at least one of a country and region may be identified into which that aircraft may not be leased;

a third rule wherein for each aircraft, a tax based restriction may be specified, the tax based restriction includes a geographical region;

a fourth rule wherein aircraft engines are retrieved based on a minimum engine thrust amount; and

a fifth rule wherein aircraft are retrieved based on an aircraft weight;

a first record of results from applying the matching rules to the customer submitted availability queries;

a record of an aircraft selected by the customer from the first record of results;

a second record of results from information entered by the lessor to modify the customer submitted availability queries;

a record of a document generated from the modified customer submitted availability queries and the record of an aircraft selected by the customer including historical drafts of the document, each author of the historical drafts, and modification dates; and

a record of tasks to be performed, dates for performance, and parties responsible for performing the tasks as set forth in terms and conditions of the generated document including at least one of inspecting the customer selected aircraft, signing the generated document, and meeting regarding the lease transaction.

55. A computer-readable medium according to claim 54 wherein said availability query record comprises a query number and a model.

56. A computer-readable medium according to claim 54 further comprising a record of required delivery dates comprising a query number, a delivery year, a delivery month, and a quantity.

57. A computer-readable medium according to claim 54 wherein said first record of results comprises a result number, a query number, and a term sheet request.

58. A computer-readable medium according to claim 54 further comprising a record of availability.