Coming Back For Seconds
As Thanksgiving approaches this November, we find ourselves reflecting on just how fortunate we are to be in the aviation business. We get to help people take that exciting first step into Pilatus ownership, and more often than you might think, we help them come back for seconds!
We recently dug into the past 5 years of our proprietary market data, and one statistic caught our attention.
Nearly half (48%) of Pilatus owners who sold their aircraft went on to purchase another Pilatus PC-12. And of those repeat buyers, more than half purchased another pre-owned Pilatus!
63% purchased pre-owned
37% purchased new
Call it brand loyalty, call it knowing a good thing when you’ve got it, but there’s something to be said about an aircraft that keeps people coming back to the table.
Speaking of loyalty, we have another number we’re particularly proud of. 72% of JetSwiss business comes from repeat customers and referrals. That’s a statistic we don’t take lightly. We’re grateful for the relationships we’ve built over the years and the trust our customers continue to place in our team.
Now, let’s talk turkey. What’s happening in the pre-owned PC-12 market?
After reaching a low of just 60 aircraft for sale in July, inventory has gradually climbed to 82 aircraft in November. But here’s the interesting part: 28 of those 82 aircraft are already under contract. That leaves just 54 aircraft actively available for buyers to consider.
As far as pricing goes, some Pilatus models continue to command quite the premium.
The PC-12 NGX is currently selling for an average of 118% of its Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) price, up from 115% in 2025.
The PC-12/47 is being advertised at an average of 136% of its original OEM price.
The /45 and NG markets tell a different story, with values generally falling below their original OEM prices.
Of course, there’s always more happening in this market than what you see advertised. From June through October, we tracked 17 off-market PC-12 sales, representing nearly 20% of total market transactions during that period. That’s a significant slice of the pie, and a good reminder that the publicly advertised market doesn’t always tell the whole story.
At JetSwiss, 52% of our transactions are concluded as private sales, and in more than 80% of our projects, we already know both the buyer and seller. These aren’t simply aircraft changing hands behind the scenes. They’re transactions built on years of Pilatus-specific experience, established relationships, and proper representation. That’s why we believe the term “off-market” doesn’t always tell the whole story, either.
But whether an aircraft is publicly advertised or privately represented, finding the right Pilatus is only part of the equation. Knowing exactly what you’re buying is equally important.
Growing up, I watched a silly sitcom called WKRP in Cincinnati. It had a wonderful cast of vastly different characters, which made it all the more hilarious. Every year around Thanksgiving, my sister sends me the same YouTube clip from the show’s infamous “turkey can’t fly” episode.
As the folks at WKRP learned the hard way, turkeys can’t fly. And skipping important steps in a multimillion-dollar aircraft purchase can lead to a rather unfortunate landing, too!
Fittingly, in this month’s November Pulse, we’re tackling the do’s, don’ts, and duh’s of Pilatus pre-purchase inspections. It’s a topic that can make a six-figure difference in your purchase and your maintenance budget after closing, so be sure to check out our featured article.
And if you need a little Thanksgiving laugh, watch the infamous WKRP turkey drop.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving and rest of your November. And if you’re coming back for seconds, we certainly won’t judge.
Fly safe,
Don “Bub” Peterson