Toronto, Canada-based helicopter brokerage Aero Asset has released its third quarter 2019 Preowned Helicopter Market Trends report this week.

Drawing on its proprietary intelligence and close knowledge of the market, the report reviews the Q3 and YTD performance of twelve twin engine models in the light, medium and heavy categories, from the Airbus Helicopters H135 to the Sikorsky S92. Preowned helicopter markets are ranked by retail sales volume and absorption rates.

Key findings show North America is the most active region; home to a total 37 per cent of pre-owned twin engine helicopter buyers in Q3, up from 31 per cent in Q2. And for the year to date (YTD), 85 twin turbine helicopters closed to retail buyers across all weight classes and twin engine supply for sale is down nearly 20 per cent to 230 aircraft.

The EC135/145 market continues to dominate resale activity, especially in the 2006 to 2014 year of manufacture segment. Much of the demand is driven by US air ambulance appetite for Pratt & Whitney Canada powered SP-IFR machines. The report highlights six EC135 and seven EC145 deals pending at the end of Q3.

Light twin helicopter supply is down 17 per cent year on year (YOY), as is trading volume, equating to a stable absorption rate.

Leonardo AW109 markets suffered a substantial drop in Grand and GrandNew preowned transaction activity, however in contrast with YTD sales volume, Q3 is clearly an anomaly. Power retail sales volume remains stable.

Lower pricing triggered increased demand for the Bell 429, with three retail trades in Q3. However, a total of four retail trades YTD means the Bell 429 absorption rate remains higher than competing markets.

The Leonardo AW139 leads the preowned medium twin market, with five retail sales in Q3 and ten YTD. Supply continued its decrease year on year to 22 aircraft for sale at the end of Q3. This equates to an absorption rate of just 14 months. Absorption rates have seen a significant drop YOY; good news for the manufacturer Leonardo, which recently delivered its 1,000th AW139.

The Bell 412 market remains soft with zero transactions in Q3 and only three YTD. Supply in the Airbus H155 market doubled in Q3 and the absorption rate remains high with three years of supply at Q3 trade levels.

Sales volume in the Sikorsky S76C+/C++ market was flat in Q3. Sales volume is up YOY, but oversupply continues to hamper the C+ and the utility segments of this market.

The H225 saw one sale per quarter YTD. This consistent sales volume suggests a better market outlook. With sixteen units for sale however, the absorption rate remains high at four years of supply at Q3 trade levels. Five deals are currently pending.

The S92 market saw its first preowned transaction in five years and supply in this market continued to decrease Q3, down 50 per cent YTD.

“Our commitment to producing [this report] quarterly since the launch of Aero Asset earlier this year, demonstrates our understanding of the market and underlines our commitment to providing great market intelligence to our brokerage clients. Clients need good and reliable information to make good decisions,” notes co-founder Emmanuel Dupuy.