The Markets Report Card
There is something about August that shifts our mindset. Summer vacations wind down, kids head back to school, and calendars start filling up again. At my own household, this time of year marks the return of my second career as an Uber driver for my children.
Whether we realize it or not, our focus shifts from relaxation to preparation. August reminds us that opportunities await those who are ready when the bell rings.
The pre-owned Pilatus market follows a surprisingly similar pattern.
Throughout the summer, many buyers spend time researching aircraft, refining mission requirements, and monitoring inventory. Meanwhile, sellers watch market conditions and evaluate whether the timing is right to list. Then August arrives, and the conversations begin to change. Exploration turns into action. Decisions that were put on hold suddenly move to the top of the priority list.
Historically, the second half of the year brings increased activity as businesses finalize budgets, buyers position themselves for year-end tax planning, and owners begin planning for what comes next. While every market cycle has its own personality, understanding these seasonal trends can provide buyers and sellers with a meaningful advantage before the rush begins.
Traditionally, there are nearly twice as many PC-12 transactions in the second half of the year as there are in the first. At JetSwiss, approximately 75% of our annual transaction activity occurs during the third and fourth quarters. With this increase in demand, it is no surprise that the average days on market decline by several weeks while pricing strengthens.
Data shows that PC-12 command sale prices are approximately 3.5% closer to their asking price during Q3 and Q4 than during the first half of the year. This indicates reduced negotiating leverage for buyers.
It’s also not surprising to see the PC-12/45 and NGX models outperform the broader market during this period. These aircraft represent both the most accessible point of entry to Pilatus ownership and the newest model available in the pre-owned market.
Of course, no two years are alike. What makes this year’s market particularly interesting is whether it will follow the patterns we’ve observed in recent years.
Over the past five years, the PC-12 market has averaged 13 additional pre-owned transactions annually. If that trend continues, we should see approximately 178 pre-owned PC-12 transactions worldwide in 2026. Based on historical seasonality, roughly 94 of those aircraft would be expected to trade during Q3 and Q4 alone.
The challenge is that current market availability may not be sufficient to support that level of transaction volume. So how does the market compensate? In the past, supply constraints have led to above-average pricing increases and a greater number of aircraft changing hands through off-market transactions. If inventory remains tight, we would expect those trends to continue through the remainder of the year.
Just as every school year teaches something new, every market cycle offers its own lessons. Sometimes the lesson is patience. Sometimes it is timing. More often than not, however, the lesson is that opportunities tend to favor those who are already positioned when the right aircraft becomes available. That lesson may be especially relevant today.
As we enter the busiest stretch of the year, now is an excellent time to review the market’s report card. Which trends are improving? Where are challenges beginning to emerge? And what can buyers and sellers learn from the data in front of them?
If you’d like to discuss the market in more detail, give us a call. We’d be happy to walk you through the data and help you position yourself for the opportunities ahead.
Fly Safe,
Scott Glenn