In the market for everyday four- and six-place piston-engine aircraft, 2025 proved to be an exceptionally strong year. While our all-time annual sales record remains 84 aircraft in 2020, 2025 closely followed with 82 aircraft sold, making it one of our strongest years on record.
Sales performance was robust across all market segments. Buyers included young, newly licensed pilots as well as highly experienced aviators. Many students purchased aircraft for training, and a significant number of first-time owners entered the market. We also saw continued interest from professionals and commercial operators to maintain their business or for personal convenience. No single demographic dominated demand; purchasing activity was evenly distributed across many pilot groups.
On the seller side, transactions reflected typical long-term market attrition. Aircraft were commonly sold by owners facing increased insurance premiums, families affected by bereavement, pilots who had lost their medical certification, or individuals experiencing financial pressure. These factors represent the normal lifecycle of aircraft ownership rather than any market weakness.
Notably, many of these aircraft—now between 25 and 70 years old—have passed through multiple generations of owners and remain highly desirable. Modern avionics and safety upgrades continue to enhance both operational capability and asset value. To illustrate the scale of technological change, a single modern GPS unit can cost as much as a brand-new Cessna 180 did in 1955.
The piston-engine general aviation fleet is a finite and gradually shrinking resource. At the same time, buyer demand continues to grow, resulting in increased competition for an ever-declining inventory. This supply-demand imbalance underscores the enduring value and relevance of these aircraft in today’s aviation market.
