Many of you have reached out on social media with questions about aircraft sales. Our VP of Sales, Stan Kuliavas, answers some of your submitted questions below.
How long does it take to buy or sell an aircraft?
It is an interesting question. My quick answer is, it depends. It depends on who is doing the buying and selling for you [laughing] and it also depends on the make and model of the aircraft.
If you look at a Pilatus PC-12,for example, it is the #1 selling turboprop on the market. On any given day, there is less than 4% of the total in-service fleet that is for sale. From a days-on-market standpoint, historical data shows that sales terms range from 100-160 days, so fairly short.
Looking at another aircraft model, a Bombardier Challenger 300 or 350, a super-midsize airplane, the percentage of in-service fleet for sale is also low, approximately 5%, and a relatively low average days-on-market of 125-160 days.
Looking at something a bit older, like a Hawker 800/850 XP, 15%+ of that fleet is for sale at any given time and days-on-market generally start at 180 days, and can go all the way up to 360 days or more.
To sum it up, the time required to sell an aircraft largely depends on the type of aircraft you are trying to sell.
How does Canadian aircraft sales differ from US aircraft sales?
Aircraft sales is very much a global industry. We help customers buy airplanes within Canada, in the United States and Europe for use in Canada, we sell airplanes into the US, into Mexico, and so on. Airplanes are mobile assets, so it is very much a global industry. What is different in some countries is the regulatory environment, which may potentially involve required equipment on certain airplanes, or importation requirements into certain countries.
How old can a plane be to be eligible for resale? Is there a limit?
Generally speaking, there is not. Countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, do not impose age restrictions on aircraft imported into their countries, as long as those aircraft meet the respective regulatory requirements. Aircraft traded within those countries are not subject to age restrictions. There are countries, China being one of the larger examples, that do impose age restrictions…somewhere in the neighbourhood of 15 years limits for passenger aircraft. They do evaluate on a case-by-case basis, but generally do not like older aircraft imported into their country. Safety is often touted as the overarching reason, but the age of an aircraft is of course only one contributing factor in overall safety.
What is the first thing anyone should know before purchasing an aircraft?
The first thing we would suggest is to consider reaching out to a professional aircraft broker. Brokers do this every day, and there are many nuances that go into buying and selling an aircraft that someone who does not do it every day might not be fully aware of. It is far more complicated than going to Google, finding an airplane, and making an offer on an airplane. There are many more steps involved and someone who experienced can guide you through them. Buying an aircraft is far more complicated than buying a car and, in most cases, will be one of the biggest purchase decisions that you make, so why not trust the services of a professional aircraft broker to assist you with the process.
Does Levaero only sell new and pre-owned Pilatus aircraft?
Yes to Pilatus, and yes to other aircraft types and models. We help people buy and sell the Pilatus PC-12 NGX and PC-24, and also help customers acquire and sell a variety of different aircraft types. Levaero is a member of IADA (International Aircraft Dealers Association). Membership is comprised of only 3% of aircraft brokers around the world, but the organization members partake in 50% of all business jet transactions, globally.
Can you upgrade/trade-in a PC-12/45 for a PC-12 NGX?
Yes, you can. Trading in an aircraft is conceptually the same as trading in a car. If you have an aircraft you are looking to trade-in and upgrade to a PC-12 NGX, or any other type of aircraft, give us a call, we would love to help you!
Why would someone buy an aircraft vs. charter one?
A major influencer in that decision is most often related to how much access you need to the aircraft. If you are an infrequent user that does not need an aircraft very often, perhaps several times per year, charter is likely the best option for you. There is no capital commitment, but at the same time there is less guaranteed availability. As an infrequent user, that might not be a nuisance for you and may serve your needs quite well.
As you become more of a regular user of private aviation and need the aircraft more frequently on a specific schedule, that is where we find charter customers transition into aircraft ownership and we have helped many customers through this transition. If you are someone that has a schedule that you need to adhere to, especially in the business world, this is where owning your own aircraft begins to make a lot of sense.
Can Levaero help people find an aircraft that fits their needs?
At Levaero, we help people find the right aircraft for their needs, whether that is a turboprop aircraft, a turbine helicopter, or a business jet. We are here to help you, as a first-time buyer or an experienced buyer. We are very experienced with first-time buyers at Levaero. The Pilatus PC-12 is often a first airplane for many people, and so we have had much experience with the buying process of a first-time aircraft buyer and understand their questions and needs. We believe we are uniquely qualified to help people through this process. So, whether it is the first aircraft or the 7th, we are here to help. Give us a call, we would love to chat.
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