Aircraft Buying

New and Used Bizjet Prices Continue To Climb

April 7, 2022

If you’re paying attention to the automotive market, you’ve noticed used-car prices are higher than ever. Some used cars are going for prices comparable to new models. It’s an unprecedented phenomenon, and it’s not exclusive to used cars. A similar trend in the private aviation market has prices for used jets spiking as well, and experts are wondering if they’ll ever settle — let alone come down to previous levels.

Why are prices so high? What’s driving this trend? And what can prospective jet owners expect as new conditions begin to affect the market?

How inflated are prices in 2022?

As with used cars, used jet prices are comparable to new models and, in some cases, even higher. According to Aviation International News, the average price of a used jet is up 13% over the average fleet valuation, though there’s plenty of variance across different models and brands. On the low end, reports have the price of used Bombardier and Cessna jets hovering about 6% to 7% higher, while Gulfstream and Embraer jets are up as much as 27% to 28%.

But the most striking example of price inflation in the used jet market is the Gulfstream G450. Just four years removed from a successful 30-year production run, these beloved jets are changing hands at premiums up as high as 41%.

Why are prices so high?

The reason for such outrageous used jet prices lies in a lack of inventory alongside an unprecedented uptick in demand — both products of the pandemic. In the fourth quarter of 2021, used jet inventory bottomed out at 1.3% after steadily declining throughout the year. For context, used inventory stood at 8% in the first quarter of 2021, and at the time, analyst predictions suggested impending market stabilization.

On the demand side, prospective buyers are jumping on virtually all segments. In particular, the market for midsize and super-midsize jets is fierce, with just 3.3% inventory available. Fleet availability for large-cabin jets is also down, dropping from 9% to 5% throughout 2021. Even outliers, such as small turboprops and large, ultra-long-range jets, are selling more as buyers find themselves forced up or down into another jet class in their search for private aircraft.

Here’s the bottom line: More people are buying, fewer owners are selling, and competition to own desirable models is higher than ever.

Is there any price relief in sight for the used private jet market? Don’t get your hopes up. As the price of materials rises, and currency inflation continues, the cost of new jets is likely to balloon. In fact, used jet prices may never settle back to pre-pandemic levels, which means today’s premium could be tomorrow’s discount.

Q1 Private Jet Orders Climb to New Heights

June 10, 2021

Few industries suffered during the pandemic like aviation. Strangely enough, private aviation actually found ways to soar higher while the whole of commercial fleets sat grounded on the tarmac. Now, with the end of the pandemic on the horizon, private aviation is ramping up even beyond pre-pandemic heights. Q1 figures show a surge in jet deliveries, with even more orders rolling in. If the trend continues, we could find ourselves in a true golden age of private aviation.

Strong figures mark sustained growth

According to Q1 figures, interest in private aviation has remained strong throughout the pandemic and has even exceeded the expectations of many in the private jet manufacturing and aviation sales industry.

Aerospace Group — which includes much-loved brands Gulfstream and Jet Aviation — experienced one of its strongest sales quarters in the past two years, with sales increasing 11.6% from the first quarter of 2020. Textron Aviation also saw a jump in sales, with more business jet deliveries, more orders, and a backlog at the end of the quarter totaling $2.1 billion.

While Aerospace Group and Textron Aviation experience increasing demand, other major players hit during the pandemic are beginning to see sales figures trending closer to normal. Embraer is just one legacy brand that’s noticing a stabilization in sales and a swift return to pre-pandemic operations. Sales for the brand jumped while losses narrowed during Q1. Embraer delivered 22 jets during the period, a 50% increase from the same period last year.

Some brands still struggle to achieve liftoff

Other brands are trending in a positive direction, but recovery depends on losses suffered during the pandemic.

Heritage brand Bombardier is facing an uphill battle as they enter post-pandemic operations — and much of the company’s struggles stem from pre-pandemic woes. The company has taken steps to restructure its holdings, transitioning to an aviation-only business and selling off other holdings to cover debts and losses. As they look toward the future, they plan to produce 100-120 business jets annually, focusing on cost reduction to ensure greater revenue.

A return to the skies is fueling private aviation

As the world begins to open up in 2021 and travel rebounds concurrently, private aviation brands expect increased interest from businesses and individuals looking to enter the private business jet market or update their current fleet. Fractional jet companies in particular are eager to expand their fleets to accommodate increasing demand for private jet travel.

With new passenger consumption patterns, industry practices, and innovations, private aviation is expected to enter a new, more efficient era. Demand for private jet travel shows no sign of slowing down. More people will fly private in the post-pandemic world, which means more jets to keep up with demand. Legacy brands, as well as smaller operators, can expect sales to remain strong through all of 2021 and beyond — and analysts eagerly await sales and delivery reports to prove it.

The Next Light Business Jet is … a Pusher Prop?

October 8, 2020

In the modern age of very light jets, models like the Cirrus Vision SF50 and the Honda HA-420 HondaJet rule the skies. These planes boast speed, range, and efficiency that leave little to be desired. They represent the pinnacle in single- and dual-engine performance. Now, they face a competitor in the Celera 500L from Otto Aviation. This new prototype jet offers better range, efficiency, and emissions … all packaged in a rare pusher prop design. It’s an unlikely competitor, to say the least.

Meet the Celera 500L

Even if you weren’t aware of the impressive technical specifications of Otto Aviation’s flagship, the prototype Celera 500L would turn heads on its own. In an industry dominated by jet engines and turboprops, the Celera stands out. The new plane effortlessly combines modern innovation with old-school know-how to create a futuristic jet rooted in the foundations of aviation.

If you’re not familiar with a pusher prop setup, the idea is relatively simple. Where a turboprop has a propeller at the front of the vessel, pusher props like the Celera put the propellor at the rear. The pusher prop design has been around for decades. In fact, the final propeller-driven aircraft tested by the Air Force was a pusher prop called the XB-42. Unfortunately for the XB-42, technological drawbacks of the time and the advent of the jet engine conspired to largely shutter the development of this intriguing aircraft.

Enter Otto Aviation, whose Celera looks like something a swashbuckling, heroic sky pirate might fly. The prototype for this pusher prop has completed 31 test flights, and the manufacturer is confident about the future.

Efficiency incarnate

In theory, the benefits of the pusher prop design come down to one major design choice: the placement of its propeller. In a traditional turboprop, the propeller at the front of the plane disrupts the air’s natural flow, causing the wings to lose crucial flight efficiency. By placing the propeller at the rear of the aircraft, the wings can slice through undisrupted air and make the most of their natural shape.

The Celera 500L takes things several steps further in terms of its physical design. Every precaution has been taken to reduce drag on the plane; the result is a bullet-shaped aircraft that soars through the skies with ease.

Private aircraft for the masses

The Celera 500L is a plane with a purpose. Otto Aviation maintains its commitment to bringing private travel to the masses. By the time the Celera 500L reaches the market (anticipated in 2025), Otto Aviation hopes to deliver a private jet experience at commercial aircraft prices.

5 Reasons NOW is the Best Time to Buy a Private Jet

May 28, 2020

The world is on lockdown due to COVID-19 and the private aviation industry is just beginning to weather the hardship. For those thinking about becoming a private jet owner, now might seem like the time to take a defensive stance. But it’s actually quite the opposite. Now’s the time to think about buying and becoming a jet owner. It seems counterintuitive, but the prevailing factors governing the industry right now show strong signs of a buyer’s market.

Take a look at five of the best reasons to move on your purchase of a private jet right now, instead of waiting for the dust to settle on COVID-19:

1. There’s ample supply of used jets. Trump-era tax cuts have lowered the cost of acquisition and ownership for private jets, which has enabled companies and high-net-worth individuals to make the upgrades they’ve been putting off. In doing so, the secondhand jet market has taken off! Right now, there’s an ample supply of used jets out there in great condition, available for affordable prices.
2. Cost of acquisition is low right now. Buying a new or used jet has never been easier thanks to the Trump-era tax incentives for jet ownership. Buyers can deduct the full value of a new or used aircraft on their taxes (2017-2027) via bonus depreciation. This lightens the fiscal blow of making a purchase and actually makes buying a private jet a smart move for those looking to increase their tax-advantaged position.
3. Diverse jet selection on the market. The strong economy of 2019, coupled with bonus depreciation tax cuts, has flooded the used jet market with late model options. Likewise, the last decade has seen the introduction of some truly game-changing jets that are sure to define the market for a decade more to come. There’s never been a better time to take your pick of aircraft — from the massive Bombardier Global 7500 to the lightweight Cessna Citation Longitude.
4. More sellers as people take defensive positions. There’s an old adage by investor Warren Buffet that goes, “be greedy when others are fearful; be fearful when others are greedy.” As panic about COVID-19 sweeps the globe, many people are acting irrationally. This means there are great deals to be had on buying a private jet! Brokers are seeing jet owners downsize in a hurry because that’s their first instinct — and they’re unloading high-quality planes for lower prices. For buyers, it means getting the jet you’ve always wanted, at a price you’re more than willing to pay.
5. ADS-B upgrade challenges. Despite having more than a year to become ADS-B compliant, jet owners across the private sector still haven’t made the leap. The last projected figures showed more than 1,660 business jets (23%) and 3,800 turboprops (49%) would lack compliance heading into 2020. Speculation is that these jets would likely come up for sale as owners pass the buck on paying for an ADS-B upgrade. For those looking to get a light jet or turboprop at a discount, ADS-B noncompliance might be your opening.

With more and more reasons to buy a private jet compounding, the market is set for a flurry of buying and selling activity in mid-to-late 2020. Regardless of how the COVID-19 pandemic plays out or what economic stressors persist, now is a great time to jump in on a private jet.

Why Do CEOs Need Private Jets?

December 17, 2019

The media loves to make an example of corporate extravagance. Private air travel is seen as luxurious, extravagant, and unnecessary to those on the outside looking in. But is it really? Or is it possible that a corporate jet is a much better investment than just an exciting, unattainable mode of travel for the corporate elite?

CEOs are often justified in using private jets for travel. Often, these are busy professionals who are charged with running multi-billion-dollar companies with global brand presence that may require frequent travel within the U.S. or worldwide. A private jet isn’t an extravagance; it’s a resource.

It’s all about perspective

The benefits of private aviation

Warren Buffet isn’t the only CEO justified in using the company jet to conduct business. Walmart maintains the largest corporate fleet in the country. Apple, the first public company to reach a trillion-dollar valuation, has mandated CEO Tim Cook use the company jet for business and pleasure!

The focus on private jets has nothing to do with showmanship or an excess of cash. It has everything to do with efficiency, availability, and quickness. Here are just a few of the top reasons CEOs need (and deserve) access to private aviation:

• Speed. CEOs can’t spend time waiting in TSA lines or checking on a delayed flight. They need access to direct travel right now, without setbacks.
• Efficiency. Layovers and changing flight paths can increase travel time substantially for CEOs. Nothing beats a direct flight in terms of efficiency.
• Availability. The CEO needs to be in Los Angeles today, Houston tomorrow, and New York on Friday. The private jet is ready and waiting to easily keep this schedule.
• Accountability. There isn’t room for excuses at the top of the business food chain. CEOs need to control the variables to their success, starting with travel.
• Safety. High-profile individuals are always the subject of security precautions. Private air travel goes a long way toward satisfying strict safety requirements.
• Duty. Business is always happening. Imagine trying to conduct high-level meetings on a commercial flight. Private aviation keeps a CEO focused on the business at-hand.

These benefits are exemplified the more an executive travels. Whether it’s across the country or around the world, there’s immense value in wholly controlling the mode of travel.

Look beyond the image

It’s easy to fall for the caricature of a fat cat CEO, laughing all the way to the bank as they board a private jet and set course for a private island. But this is rarely the case. A business jet is as much a tool for business as it is a perk — often more so. CEOs aren’t sipping mai tais and eating grapes on a jet; they’re conducting meetings, catching up on emails, practicing their speeches, and focusing on high-level business. They deserve a little peace and quiet, from a flight that’s ready on-demand.

Half of US Aircraft Fleet Will Miss ADS-B Deadline

January 31, 2019

The date for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) compliance is now less than a year away. Unfortunately, less than half of the U.S. fleet is on track to be equipped when the deadline comes around. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will ground aircraft until they meet compliance, which means 2019 is shaping up to be a huge logjam for private jet owners who are under the gun.

What is ADS-B?

ADS-B stands for Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, a type of surveillance technology that utilizes satellite navigation to broadcast the position of an aircraft. This technology will improve air traffic management and replace radar positioning.

Since ADS-B utilizes satellite technology, radar isn’t necessary to keep the system working properly. The FAA has decided to mandate ADS-B equipment for the entire U.S. aircraft fleet. By January 1, 2020, all aircraft flying in controlled airspace must have ADS-B technology equipped, to promote consistency across the industry.

Industry non-compliance

Despite the FAA’s best efforts to ensure compliance with its 2020 ADS-B equipment mandate, over half of the U.S. aircraft fleet is expected to miss the deadline. As of November, 2018, just 30% of the U.S. fleet was properly equipped for ADS-B.

ADS-B compliance is becoming an increasingly big issue in the private aviation industry, where a number of factors are preventing owners and operators from achieving compliance:

• Inspection slot scarcity: One of the most significant challenges facing aircraft owners and operators is the scarcity of inspection slots. As the required compliance date gets closer, slots are filling up faster and faster.
• Cost to upgrade: Many aircraft owners chose to delay their ADS-B equipment upgrades, hoping costs would go down — but costs have been steadily increasing as the FAA deadline nears.
• Equipment shortages: As time goes on, equipment availability becomes a major concern. Aircraft owners and operators without an existing relationship with an aircraft mechanic or technician are the ones most affected by equipment shortages.

Acting as soon as possible to schedule an ADS-B inspection is the best thing you can do to keep your aircraft from falling into non-compliance. There are just 12 months left!

Common ADS-B questions

• Why did the FAA mandate ADS-B equipment? Why did the FAA decide to switch from radar to ADS-B in the first place? ADS-B offers a number of key advantages over radar technology, including better environmental outcomes, increased safety, and more accurate aircraft tracking. Through this mandate the FAA will ensure precise tracking, more direct routes, shortened flight times, reduced emissions, and decreased costs.
• What ADS-B equipment do I need? Different aircraft require different ADS-B equipment. For aircraft that fly below FL180 and only fly within the United States, a universal access transceiver broadcasting over the 978 MHz link is sufficient to meet the equipment mandate. Aircraft flying above FL180 and aircraft that fly internationally require a 1090 MHz extended squitter unit.
• Where is ADS-B required? Any aircraft flying in Class A, Class B, Class C, or Mode C veil airspace needs ADS-B equipment. This equipment is also required for aircraft flying in Class E airspace above 10,000 feet.

Still confused? Be sure to consult with your routine inspection provider about ADS-B stipulations or visit the FAA website for more information.