In case you hadn’t noticed, the general aviation market is roaring back. Multiple indicators from everyone from Honeywell to FlightAware show that operations are approaching pre-coronavirus levels, and in some locations and sectors have exceeded them. Used aircraft transactions are also strong, and according to those who buy and sell Twin Commanders, that is true in their market as well.
Eagle Creek Aviation Service’s Jim Worrell said Twin Commander activity is paralleling the rest of general aviation. “It’s doing very well,” he said. When this story was written in mid-December Worrell had three deals pending, and lots of other feelers out. Some of that demand was no doubt due to year-end tax advantages, he said.
Byerly Aviation and Naples Jet Center’s Bruce Byerly had an even more optimistic outlook. “I can’t keep up, frankly.” At the time of this writing Byerly had seven deals in process. “Entry level efficient light turbines are active right now like I haven’t seen in a while,” he said.
In recent downturns forest service operators had driven much of the demand, but both Worrell and Byerly said that business is starting to mature as the companies fill out their fleets. For both dealers the majority of customers were personal or corporate operators, including those stepping up, adding another Twin Commander, or stepping down from something like a Citation. “Those are my favorite,” Byerly said.
Despite the positive outlooks, challenges remain. Worrell sees the coronavirus as a continued impediment. Past deals have stalled because of border restrictions or budget freezes. He describes the situation not as blocking business, per se, but definitely making it less efficient. An airplane with an international appeal like Commanders could have market challenges in such a situation, but Byerly thinks domestic business is strong enough to overcome it. “The Latin countries are shut down,” he said. “But there’s so much going on up here that I don’t miss it.”
Finally, insurance continues to be a challenge in some cases, but that largely depends on individual circumstances. “It’s still about the age of the person and the aircraft,” Worrell said. Byerly thinks you could make a case that the tight insurance market benefits Twin Commanders because single-pilot light jet operations are more difficult than ever to insure.
