Duncan Aviation Aircraft Sales and Acquisitions

Founded in 1956 as a business aircraft sales organization, Duncan Aviation has been locating, buying and selling business aircraft for customers worldwide for more than 65 years. Operating in all kinds of market conditions, Duncan Aviation’s aircraft sales consultants and market analysts have the experience of more than 3,500 aircraft transactions to help them provide customers with the best acquisition and sales options to maximize their clients’ aircraft investments. 

They are backed by the technical knowledge and expertise of Duncan Aviation’s 2,400 team members, whose resources help the aircraft sales team make connections, value aircraft, determine future aircraft worth and truly understand the business aviation market.

The Duncan Aviation Aircraft Sales team shares some thoughts about the market for preowned aircraft, which has changed dramatically over the past 12 months.

Duncan Aviation Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions Consultant Tim Barber said that in summer of 2020 the market was steady, if not slow.

“The fourth quarter was like a switch has been flicked and every buyer wanted their aircraft yesterday,” said Barber. “This heightened level of activity has continued throughout 2021 and today. Every other email I receive is from a motivated buyer rather than a motivated seller.”

Duncan Aviation Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions Director Steve Gade said that they have experienced a second wave of buyers that are upgrading and/or becoming first-time buyers due to the newest wave of the COVID-19 virus.

“The apparent reality is that safety and convenience of business aviation will continue to be a challenge for the airlines,” said Gade.

The increased activity in the business jet market is further proven by the increase in demand and competitive schedule for prepurchase evaluations.

According to Ryan Huss, VP of Sales, Duncan Aviation is projected to complete 38% more pre-purchase evaluations in 2021 than the company did in 2020. He states that pre-buy slots are backlogged on average 3-6 weeks with larger aircraft taking even longer to schedule.

This demand for pre-owned aircraft has led to a price escalation of the most in-demand aircraft, such as the Challenger 605 and Phenom 300.

“Older aircraft are less likely to see the same value inflation,” explained Barber. “Having said that, there are a huge number of Hawker 800XP buyers. If there haven’t been any price increases, then you can be sure that there hasn’t been any downward movement either.”

As Leah Lenardic, another member of Duncan Aviation’s Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions team, points out, "Available pre-owned business jet inventory has continued to decline month-over-month for over a year now. There are still suitable aircraft available, though it may take longer to find them, and buyers should be prepared with their team to act immediately."

The Duncan Aviation Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions team is well-equipped with various tools to help buyers and purchasers make the most of the market.

“Partnering with experts will help you ask the right questions in order to dial in and target aircraft make/model, age, hours, maintenance status, history, and other key attributes,” said Gade. “In this market, preparation and patience are rewarded. Additionally, like the current real estate market, many transactions are consummated without the aircraft ever being listed, so being represented by an organization that has numerous boots on the ground with relationships and eyes and ears seeing and listening on your behalf is for the buyer a competitive advantage. We have clients that retain us early in the process whose timeline to get serious about a purchase may be 6+ months in the future but they see great value in knowing someone they trust is aware of their intentions.”

Duncan Aviation Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions Sales Rep Doug Roth said when you are ready to upgrade, take time to research the market and know what to pay for an aircraft when the opportunity comes up.

“Once that opportunity surfaces, move quickly,” he said.

Barber purchased three Legacy 600s in 2021, and each of the aircraft sourced was off-market.

To view the aircraft available for sale through Duncan Aviation, as well as the aircraft they are looking to purchase, go here: https://www.duncanaviation.aero/services/aircraft-sales/