Aircraft Values Remain Steady as More Used Inventory Enters the Market

June 11, 2024
Inventory levels of used Robinson piston helicopters in worldwide markets dropped 6.14% M/M and 10.83% YOY in May and are trending down.

The newest Sandhills Global market reports highlight month-over-month inventory level increases and fluctuating values among jets and piston single aircraft in Sandhills marketplaces. Sandhills' market reports cover the used jet, piston single, and turboprop aircraft categories, as well as Robinson piston helicopters.

"We've been observing used inventory growth for a few months now," says Controller Department Manager Brant Washburn. "However, asking values trends are mixed across the board with jet values trending down and piston single values trending up."

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The key metric used in all of Sandhills' market reports is the Sandhills Equipment Value Index (EVI). Buyers and sellers can use the information in the Sandhills EVI to monitor equipment markets and maximize returns on acquisition, liquidation, and related business decisions. The Sandhills EVI data include equipment available in auction and retail markets, as well as model-year equipment actively in use.

Additional Market Report Takeaways

This report includes detailed analyses of asking values and inventory trends in used aircraft markets along with charts that help readers visualize the data. It describes and quantifies important trends in the buying and selling of used jet, piston single, turboprop, and Robinson piston helicopter aircraft.

Global Used Jets

  • Used jet inventory is exhibiting a steady trend, recovering some of the momentum seen prior to December 2023. Inventory levels increased 3.02% M/M and 8.18% year over year in May.
  • Asking values showed a slight M/M increase of 0.41%. However, asking values are still trending down and were 6.35% lower YOY in May.

U.S. and Canada Used Piston Single Aircraft

  • Like used jet inventory worldwide, used piston single aircraft inventory levels in the U.S. and Canada have been recovering since December 2023 and January 2024 decreases. Piston single inventory levels were up 3.4% M/M but down 10.2% YOY.
  • Asking values continue to fluctuate between monthly increases and decreases. Asking values were up 1.47% M/M but down slightly at 0.34% YOY and are now trending upward.

U.S. and Canada Used Turboprop Aircraft

  • Unlike jet and piston single aircraft inventory, used turboprop inventory has returned to November 2023 levels. Although turboprop inventory fell 3.44% M/M in May, inventory levels were 8.86% higher YOY and are trending up.
  • Asking values, however, exhibited marginal decreases of 0.34% M/M and 0.21% YOY, although the overall trend remains steady.

Global Used Robinson Piston Helicopters

  • Inventory levels of used Robinson piston helicopters in worldwide markets dropped 6.14% M/M and 10.83% YOY in May and are trending down.
  • Conversely, Sandhills notes a marginal increase in asking values, which rose 0.91% M/M and 4.53% YOY in May. Asking values are currently trending up.

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