Second-quarter preowned business aircraft sales transactions dipped slightly from the same period last year, but dealers are “cautiously optimistic” going forward and expect an uptick in transactions over the next six months. That's according to International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) executive director Wayne Starling, who released the association’s Second Quarter 2023 Market Report this morning.
IADA members recorded 303 transactions from April through June, compared with 310 for the same period last year. Meanwhile, first-half sales of 598 aircraft were up from 542 in the first six months of 2022. Demand-wise, dealers anticipate a “significant” uptick for turboprops; a stable market for midsize jets; a slight decrease in large-cabin and ultra-long range jets; and a slight boost in light jet interest.
Pricing for preferred aircraft models with the right pedigree is “reasonably strong,” but overall, averages have resumed their normal depreciation of 7 to 9 percent annually, the report said. That may lead to opportunities for value shoppers in the third quarter, though some dealers predict market activity will “be back to a feverish pace” in the fourth quarter.
Members cited ongoing inventory additions and a normalized buyer/seller balance as signs of the market’s vitality, though geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, pilot shortages, and the collapse of a few charter operators and fractional programs could negatively impact the preowned market, according to IADA.
Priester Aviation is acquiring Hill Aircraft’s air charter and management business—expanding the group’s reach with a new presence on the U.S. East Coast. The company announced the acquisition of the family-owned businesses this morning of Atlanta-based Hill Private Aviation’s aircraft charter and management activities to continue alongside Priester’s operation in Illinois and that of Mayo in Colorado, which it acquired in 2022.
Hill Aircraft was established in 1955 by Guy Hill Sr. and is run today by his son Guy Hill Jr. It also operates an FBO at Atlanta Fulton County Executive Airport (KFTY), which is not included in the deal.
“Now Hill, with Priester and Mayo, can grow with added infrastructure and support, while still honoring and respecting what has already been built over the last six decades,” said Priester Aviation chairman and CEO Andy Priester. “Hill’s culture and people have been central to its success. We’re excited to engage Guy and his team as part of the larger Priester family as we thrive together.”
Priester, which did not disclose the financial value of the acquisition, is expected to close on the deal by the end of July. The combined group will manage a fleet of more than 85 aircraft.
Daher handed over its first multi-mission Kodiak 100 equipped with a Hartzell five-blade composite propeller to the North Carolina Forest Service’s aviation division. The turboprop single will be used as a “load aircraft,” carrying equipment and supplies to support aerial tanker wildfire suppression.
The new five-blade, 96-inch-diameter propeller is designed with Hartzell’s lightweight Raptor propeller hub technology, improving performance and sustainability, Daher said. Weighing 13 pounds less than the Kodiak 100’s current four-blade metal propeller, the five-blade unit reduces aircraft takeoff roll by 6 percent at maximum gross weight, is 6.6 dB quieter, and turns 200 rpm slower at maximum torque, at 2,000 rpm instead of 2,200 rpm. In addition, the prop has a time-between-overhaul of 4,000 hours or six years, along with a six-year/4,000-hour warranty.
The propeller provides a ground clearance of 16.4 inches, preserving the Kodiak 100’s ability to operate from unprepared strips and amphibiously with floats, the company added. “With its enormous useful load, off-airport capabilities, simple and rugged design, the Kodiak 100 is ideal for such a broad range of applications,” said Paul Carelli, director of Kodiak flight operations and special missions. “In addition to the performance improvement with Hartzell’s five-blade composite propeller, the aircraft is extremely quiet.”
Daher is offering the five-blade propeller as an option on new-production Kodiak 100 Series IIIs or for retrofit via the Hartzell Top Prop program.
Belgium’s mobility minister, Georges Gilkinet, has put forward a proposal to reduce noise pollution caused by air traffic at Brussels Airport by around 20 percent starting in October 2024. The draft ministerial decree, which was presented during inter-cabinet consultations on July 14, is based on adjusting the existing quota count (QC) system that governs the maximum noise level for each aircraft type taking off and landing at Brussels Airport.
The biggest proposed change is that no aircraft noise would be permitted between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time for both landings and takeoffs. In addition to the night curfew, the average noise level would be reduced by 30 percent between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., 20 percent between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., and 7 percent between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. There would be different QCs for weekdays and on Sundays and public holidays, during which the oldest and noisiest types of aircraft would not be allowed to operate.
Unlike the flight-reduction proposal announced by Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in April, Gilkinet’s proposal does not envision a specific ban on business aviation aircraft. Nonetheless, the industry would be impacted by the new rules, if enacted. With 10,494 aircraft movements in 2022, Brussels Airport ranks as Belgium’s busiest airport for business aviation, according to data collected by EBAA.
Choose your inflight connectivity carefully, or else.
For the last few decades, business jet owners, operators, passengers, flight crews and operations staff have had a decidedly love-hate relationship with inflight connectivity. Fortunately, that is changing, but you need to choose your solution carefully, or…
A helicopter pilot faces federal charges after allegedly illegally landing in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park. Peter Smith of Gunnison, Colorado, was charged with two Class B misdemeanors: “operating or using aircraft on lands or waters other than at locations designated pursuant to special regulations” and failure to use an aircraft “in accordance with regulations of the FAA,” according to information from the National Park Service (NPS). Smith faces penalties including a $5,000 fine and six months in jail for each violation and will appear in federal court in Wyoming next month.
Park rangers received reports of an Airbus Helicopters AS350B3, registered as N708SD, landing on the west shore of Jackson Lake on the afternoon of June 24. Rangers said they found Smith and a companion near the helicopter having a snack. Smith told authorities that the landing was precautionary due to weather. The unauthorized landing of helicopters is prohibited on the lands and waters within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park.
The NPS noted that Smith previously paid a $530 fine for flying a fixed-wing aircraft below safe altitudes in Colorado’s Curecanti National Recreation Area.
Textron Aviation is bringing an extensive line of display aircraft next week at EAA AirVenture, notably its in-development Beechcraft Denali turboprop single that is making its debut at the Oshkosh, Wisconsin show. Other Textron aircraft scheduled for display include a Cessna Citation CJ3+, Grand Caravan EX, Turbo Stationair, Turbo Skylane, and Skyhawk; Beechcraft Baron, Bonanza, and T-6C Texan II military trainer; Bell 505 and 429 helicopters; and Pipistrel Velis, Panthera, Alpha Trainer, and Ultra Light. Additionally, Federal Express will have a Cessna SkyCourier turboprop twin on display at Boeing Plaza.
The company also announced that its line of high-wing Cessna piston aircraft will receive new paint schemes, instrument panels, seats, and interiors beginning in 2024. The interiors have “a more modern, sporty feel that aligns with our family of Cessna Citation jets for the best aviation experience,” said Christi Tannahill, Textron Aviation senior v-p for customer experience. Features include powered headset jacks and USB charging ports at every seat, upgraded seats with additional support and padding, a center armrest for Skylane and Stationair models, and more modern side panels, window locks, and air vents.
Textron’s McCauley division also will be displaying propellers for 300-series King Airs and the Denali, as well as fixed-pitch and constant-speed models for other aircraft.
Last Chance: Bizjet Vision Systems (SVS, EVS, and CVS) Webinar
Join us on Wednesday, July 19 for a webinar panel discussion with Collins Aerospace and experienced business jet pilots discussing synthetic vision systems and how they improve the operational efficiency of business jet flights.
People in Aviation
Airshare hired Rob Black and Harvey Murphy as vice presidents of sales. Black was a founding employee at Jet It and most recently served as director of sales. He will oversee aircraft transactions in Florida, Airshare’s newest market. Murphy, who will head the company’s Northeast market, has more than a decade of experience in private aircraft sales at VistaJet, Victor, Blade, and, most recently, FXAir.
Air bp appointed Federica Berra senior v-p. Berra joined bp in June 2020 as senior v-p of integrated gas and power in its gas and low-carbon energy business. Previously, she served as v-p of acquisitions for Latin America with ExxonMobil.
Scott Fuller will retire as airport director of Gulf Shores International Airport (KJKA) on November 1. He will then transition to executive emeritus with the airport authority until the completion of an ongoing expansion project. Fuller has spent more than 40 years in airport management roles.
Denise Garcia, deputy administrator of aeronautics with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), was recently honored in the State Aviation Journal for her years of service in aviation. In addition to her 22 years with MassDOT, Garcia worked for Massport as a noise abatement technician and communications specialist at Boston Logan Airport and previously held aviation maintenance and leadership roles in the U.S. Air Force.
Charter provider Elite Jets promoted former director of operations Matt Simpson to chief pilot, succeeding Paul Scott, who will continue as a pilot for the company. Simpson, who captains the Phenom and Legacy, has logged nearly 20,000 flight hours. Rodney Beeler, who served as assistant director of operations, will assume the role previously held by Simpson. Beeler is a military veteran and holds an ATP rating and has logged more than 8,000 flight hours.
ACI Jet MRO promoted Jonathan Carlyle to repair station manager and appointed Michael Johnson and Joe Borchers as project managers. Carlyle has prior experience at Textron and Bombardier facilities in roles including A&P, team lead, project manager, and Part 145 director of maintenance. Johnson has nearly two decades of experience at a Textron Aviation service center as an aircraft technician and team lead. Borchers joined ACI Jet in 2018 as an A&P and most recently served as a lead technician.
AINalerts News Tips/Feedback: News tips may be sent anonymously, but feedback must include name and contact info (we will withhold name on request). We reserve the right to edit correspondence for length, clarity and grammar. Send feedback or news tips to AINalerts editor Chad Trautvetter.
AINalerts is a publication of AIN Media Group, 214 Franklin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.
