JetSwiss Pilatus PULSE - September 2024

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GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MT
PHOTO BY MICHAEL BURNETTE

OH THE PLACES YOU’VE GONE!

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF JETSWISS AVIATION

This month we’re talking about the places you’ve gone. In conjunction with this, we are happily celebrating our 10-year anniversary at JetSwiss! After 10 years, it’s a time to reflect and look back on the journey. It certainly had its challenges, but at the core, JetSwiss was destined for success.

Ten years ago, I was asked to fly an aircraft with a customer to Europe. This was also the summer of the rollout of the PC-24 at the Pilatus factory in Switzerland. Sidenote: Flying over a large body of water such as the North Atlantic gets you thinking… I’ve confirmed this to be true with my dearly departed buddy, Jed Johnson. He not only had an emergency over the North Atlantic, but he wrote a note to his wife discussing the end of his life that would later be found.

Back to the story… I had just left the Pilatus dealer network and I was contemplating the next chapter in my life. I was drawn towards capitalizing on all the passion, thoughts, and actions that I had accumulated throughout the 16+ years in the Pilatus program to build a business around it. I’m not going to lie; this realization was fairly daunting. But, at the same time, I had a sense of calmness and confidence because I had been living my life for many years in this manner already. All I had to do was place it into a business plan and bring it to life.

I started with the name. Using hotel stationery and a pen, I brainstormed buzzwords associated with aviation—Aviation, Executive, Pilatus, Jet, Swiss, and more. After a couple of days, it clicked: JetSwiss was born.

I hired my first employee, Loran, before we even had revenue. That should tell you something, I was either stupid or confident or a little of both! Our first closing happened while I was flying back from Europe after purchasing our first Pilatus acquisition project. Loran was at her desk, nervous and anxious, but we pulled through.

Over the past 10 years, we’ve made mistakes, we’ve parted with employees, we’ve had some successes, and we’ve validated our business model. Sidenote:

We could not have done it without some of our former employees. They were instrumental in the early stages of the business. Thank you if you are reading this!

I recall one of our first customers, Joe Wortman, who, after I flew to Detroit to meet him and his family, said, “Don, I think you know your stuff and can help us, but you scare the sh*t out of me!” He said, “I want to work with you, but your passion and convictions are off the charts–so much so that it scares me.” To which I replied, “Good! That’s exactly who you want on your team leading the project to find you a great airplane, go through a great diligence process, and implement it into your life.”

Here we are 10 years later. Whew! I’m tired. But I’m also just as energized as I was 10 years ago. There’s more to do. We’ve grown to nine full-time employees, several part-time employees, trusted partners, and vendors. The band is complete. The Taylor guitar that sits in the corner of my office reminds me every day of ‘the band’ and its significance to building a great team and business.

So, what does all this have to do with Pilatus? Well, 99% of the folks in the Pilatus community are fantastic individuals. As we often say, ‘great people, great aircraft, no brokers.’ After 10 years, I appreciate this even more. We’ve met wonderful people, made lifelong friendships, and connected with great aircraft. And we’ve been able to work hand-in-hand with dealers and service providers along the way as well. This, to me, is what success looks like. One big family with a passion.

Pilatus owners are often self-made, entrepreneurial individuals who have sacrificed to create something they’re passionate about.

Wait, I know this guy?

I guess that says it all. Here’s to another 10 years of great people, great aircraft, and more friends.

Fly safe and thanks, Bub

MARKET CHANGES IN THE LAST 30 DAYS BY

YEAR MODEL

NEW ENTRANTS TO MARKET

10 SOLD FROM MARKET 10

9 UNDER CONTRACT

2006, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014 , 2015, 2016, 2019 * , 2022 1996, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2011, 2016, 2019, 2020 *

2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2019*, 2019*, 2021*

$8,000,000

$7,000,000

$6,000,000

$5,000,000

$4,000,000

$3,000,000

$2,000,000

Asking Price By Total Hours

AIRCRAFT ASKING PRICE VS. TOTAL TIME

Similar to the Asking Price vs Model Year chart, this information helps our clients determine “the mileage on the car” for their specific budget. Want to own a low time aircraft? This chart will give you an indication on what you will spend. Note: aircraft under 1,000 hours total time historically yield much higher prices.

$1.0M

$1,000,000

AIRCRAFT ASKING PRICE VS. MODEL YEAR

This chart reflects the current market for Pilatus PC-12 aircraft that are on the retail market. Want to know how much your Pilatus dollars will buy? This is a great place to start! As you can see, the aircraft model year plays a key factor in pricing of the aircraft–thus generates a commensurate trend curve. This data provides a baseline for our aircraft evaluations.

$8,000,000

$7,000,000

$6,000,000

$5,000,000

$4,000,000

Asking Price By Model Year

PC-24 BY THE NUMBERS

PC-12 AND PC-24 AS OF SEPTEMBER 2024 PC-24

AIRCRAFT ASKING PRICE VS. TOTAL TIME

This information helps our clients determine “the mileage on the car” for their specific budget. “Want to own a low time aircraft?” This chart will give you an indication on what you will spend. Note: aircraft under 1,000 hours total time historically yield much higher prices.

$15.0M

$13.0M

$11.0M

$9.0M

$7.0M

$5.0M

$3.0M

$1.0M

$1,000,000

AIRCRAFT ASKING PRICE VS. MODEL YEAR

This chart reflects the current market for Pilatus PC-24 aircraft that are on the retail market. Want to know how much your Pilatus dollars will buy? This is a great place to start! As you can see, the aircraft model year plays a key factor in pricing of the aircraft–thus generates a commensurate trend curve. This data provides a baseline for our aircraft evaluations. UNDER CONTRACT FOR SALE

COOL PLACES TO FLY PILATUS

1. BACKCOUNTRY GETAWAY: BIG CREEK AIRPORT (U60)

Highlights: A backcountry airstrip, Big Creek challenges pilots with its mountainous terrain and shortfield landing requirements. It’s a gateway to outdoor adventures like hiking, fishing, and camping, offering stunning views of the surrounding wilderness. Established in the 1930s, it has a rich history as a hub for wilderness management.

Elevation: 5,743 feet, located in Idaho’s Frank Church Wilderness. Runway: 3,550 feet, dirt/gravel surface.

2. HISTORIC ISLAND CHARM: MACKINAC ISLAND AIRPORT (KMCD)

3.

Highlights: KMCD offers a unique landing experience on a car-free island known for its historic charm and scenic beauty. Visitors can enjoy horse-drawn carriages, 19th-century architecture, and panoramic views. The airport serves as a convenient gateway, especially during peak tourist seasons in summer and fall.

Runway: 3,500 feet

Location: Mackinac Island, Lake Huron, Michigan.

CITY AIRPORT (CYTZ)

Highlights: CYTZ offers a scenic approach with views of the Toronto skyline, CN Tower, and Lake Ontario. Its unique island location requires access via ferry or pedestrian tunnel. The airport operates under strict noise abatement due to its proximity to residential areas, catering to business travelers with a boutique flying experience.

Location: Toronto Islands, minutes from downtown Toronto. Runway: 3,988 feet, ideal for short-haul regional flights.

DOWNTOWN EH?: BILLY BISHOP TORONTO
Photo by Ben Hochman
Photo by Jamie Duinick
Photo by Jordan Rémillieux

4. HIGH ALTITUDE, HIGH ADVENTURE: TELLURIDE REGIONAL AIRPORT (KTEX)

Highlights: Nestled in the San Juan Mountains with peaks over 14,000 feet, KTEX offers stunning views and a thrilling approach. Located just 10 miles from Telluride Ski Resort, it provides quick access to world-class skiing and the historic town. Winter operations are challenging, with specialized snow removal needed to keep the runway clear.

5. ISLAND ESCAPE: CEDAR KEY AIRPORT (KCDK)

Highlights: Surrounded by the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, KCDK provides a serene escape with a scenic approach over the Gulf of Mexico. The uncontrolled airfield adds to its relaxed atmosphere, while the nearby historic town of Cedar Key offers a taste of old Florida charm.

6. ALASKAN BEAUTY: HAINES AIRPORT (PAHN)

Highlights: Set amidst Alaska’s dramatic landscapes, PAHN offers breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers, and fjords. Pilots face challenging weather conditions, including frequent rain and low visibility, making it a distinctive flying experience. The airport is a vital link for the remote community of Haines, providing access to outdoor adventures and essential connections.

Runway: 7,111 feet, sloped, adding complexity to takeoffs and landings.

Elevation: 9,078 feet, the highest commercial airport in North America.

Location: Way Key, Cedar Keys archipelago, Florida.

Runway: 2,355 feet, the shortest public runway in Florida.

Runway: 4,000 feet, asphalt surface.

Location: Southeast Alaska, near the Lynn Canal.

Photo by Michael Burnette
Photo by Scott Roberts
Photo by Stan Crader

AND THEN SOME!

Kelowna, Canada
Photo by Kirk Grimes
Scottsdale Airport
Photo by Chris Nute
Photo by Ben Hochman
Photo by Wally Obermeyer
Mustang Island, Texas
Photo by Mark Tate
Photo by Royce Walker
Iowa Speedway
Photo by Mark Tate
Aspen, Colorado
Photo by Mark Johnson

You all sent us so many wonderful photos that we are going to do another edition! What cool places have you traveled to in your Pilatus? Which unique runways have you landed on? Fancy paint schemes? Send us the airport, location, and your name, and we will include your photos in our next edition of the Pulse!

Grand Canyon
Photo by Ryan Hamilton
Greenland
Photo by Cor Van Der Merwe
Photo by Stan Crader
Photo by Mike Parnell
Photo by Lubor Cerva
Rocky Mountains
Photo by Kirk Grimes
Mount Shasta
Photo by Don Peterson

10 STATS ABOUT THE OF

How do you count the days, weeks and hours poured into a passion? We’re thrilled to mark a decade of expertise in pre-owned Pilatus aircraft sales and ownership. We’re even more excited to share it with you all! The last decade has been a remarkable journey, but it doesn’t stop here. As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we’re excited about what the future holds and remain committed to providing exceptional service and value to our clients. Here are some fun facts and figures we’ve picked up over the years.

Employee #1, Loran Lonergan, is still working with JetSwiss sells aircraft 2 times faster than our peers.

MOUNTAIN LIONS

Memorable moments include a special mission in which 3 mountain lions were rescued from Logan, Utah and delivered to a preserve outside Charlotte, NC.

JetSwiss aircraft achieve 4-5% higher sale prices compared to others in the market , a clear testament to the value of our turnkey solutions and rigorous

PROPRIETARY REPORTS

Years of experience and expertise has culminated in an acquisition and sales process that is defined by 5 proprietary reports. These reports provide our clients with an in-depth understanding of Pilatus, the market and the risks involved.

The address of Hotel Klemm (Kapellenstraße 9, 65193 Wiesbaden, Germany) where the JetSwiss name and logo was scribbled on a napkin in June of 2014.

Almost 70% of our business is repeat and referral— proving our successful business model works! We’ve even sold the same aircraft four times!

Over 81% of JetSwiss projects are built on an existing relationship. “Hey! We know you!”

JetSwiss sales achieve 98% of the asking price. Why? Well, historically brokers inflate values to win the listing. But we believe in up-front fair market pricing and setting expectations for our clients.

81% 98% 10 YEARS!

JetSwiss has been in business for 10 years! Thanks to fantastic people, partners, and clients.

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We appreciate your feedback! Please send any feedback to Pilatus@jetswiss.com.

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