Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

The used helicopter market recovered enough in the second half of last year to outperform dismal 2019 unit sales volumes, concluded Toronto-based consultancy Aero Asset in its year-end 2020 market analysis. “Markets showed incredible resilience in Q3 and Q4,” the company noted. “Overall, 2020 preowned retail sales volume (number of units) rose by 10 percent year-over-year and 2020 saw the most retail transactions in the last four years.”

 


Aero Asset said supply rose 8 percent year-over-year and the overall absorption rate was fairly constant, contracting to 20.5 months from 21 months in 2019. Altogether, 143 used helicopters sold last year worth $516 million out of 245 offered for sale valued at about $1 billion.&nbsp;

 


The rebound was led by a sharp increase in both the prices and sales volumes for Sikorsky S-92 and Airbus H225 heavy twins, many of which had been parked after their values collapsed to near-scrap prices as demand evaporated with the contraction of the offshore energy market. Many of those helicopters have now returned to service, albeit with new owners and missions.

 


For all of 2020, 18 heavies changed hands—compared with just 10 in 2019—representing 12 percent of all units sold in 2020 and 20 percent of the aggregate transaction value for the entire used helicopter market. Their sale prices averaged $5.1 million.

 


Meanwhile, the medium twin sale price averaged $4.6 million and accounted for 40 percent of the used market’s value and 30 percent of units sold, with the Leonardo AW139 leading the way. Light singles and&nbsp;twins held steady, representing 58 percent of all units sold. Aero Asset forecasts that the used market will continue to improve in 2021.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Aero Asset: Heavy Twins Lead Used Helicopter Market Rebound

Consultancy Aero Asset said the used helicopter market showed "incredible resiliency" in the last half of 2020. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Neelam Mathews

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

Matt Thurber

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

More In Rotorcraft

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN