Have I Got a Deal for You!

FLYING Staff

Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Prices of pre-owned aircraft are dropping.

Key Takeaways:

The market for used piston single-engine aircraft, particularly older (30-40 year old) models, is currently a buyer's market with increased inventory and declining prices.
This downturn is largely attributed to high maintenance costs, expensive overhauls, rising fuel prices, and competition from newer or light-sport aircraft, making older planes an economic liability.
While older aircraft in poor condition struggle to sell, late-model, well-equipped, high-performance planes are more resilient, though overall market prices are softening due to an increased supply of both new and used aircraft.
The future of the piston-single market is questioned as aging aircraft become too costly to maintain and upgrade, prompting calls for more affordable, better-performing new aircraft.

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If you’re looking for a bargain on a 30-year-old piston single with a run out engine, well then, you could be in luck; the prices are down and the inventory’s up. It’s a classic example of supply and demand.

But assessing the market for used (or if you prefer “pre-owned”) piston singles is a lot like the blind men describing an elephant; it depends on what part of the beast you touch.