The Encore+ enters October with five aircraft available and six sales over the past six months, but limited selection has not translated into quick transactions. Sold aircraft averaged 495 days on market, and September recorded no sales. Availability is below April’s seven aircraft, although the increase from two at September’s close to five currently gives buyers more choice than they had recently. The FAA’s withdrawal of the single-pilot exemption adds uncertainty, but it is too early to determine its effect on demand, values, or selling timelines. Sellers should avoid relying on scarcity to support their price, while buyers should weigh engine coverage and upcoming maintenance costs carefully when comparing the available aircraft.
Fleet Size and Availability
The Citation Encore+ market currently has five aircraft available for sale, representing 7.8% of the fleet.
Inventory has declined significantly throughout the reporting period, beginning with seven aircraft in April and six in May before falling to just one aircraft in June. Availability remained at one through July and August before increasing slightly to two by the end of September.
This sharp reduction in inventory has considerably narrowed the selection available to prospective buyers. However, given the relatively small Encore+ fleet, even minor changes in the number of aircraft listed can produce substantial percentage movements in overall availability.
Market Listings
Current asking prices range from $3.295 million to $3.9 million, while the reported completed sale price is $3.6 million.
The narrow asking price range suggests that current sellers are positioning their aircraft within a relatively consistent valuation window. However, engine program enrollment and remaining time to major maintenance events can create meaningful differences in value between otherwise comparable aircraft.
For aircraft not enrolled on an engine program, the remaining time until hot section inspections or overhauls is particularly important. Buyers must consider these potential expenses when evaluating acquisition costs, and sellers should ensure their asking prices appropriately reflect the aircraft’s maintenance position.
Active listings currently average just 43 days on market, compared with 495 days for completed transactions. This substantial difference suggests that current inventory is relatively fresh, while aircraft sold during the reporting period experienced significantly longer marketing timelines.
Sales Activity
Over the past six months, six Citation Encore+ aircraft have sold, representing 9.4% of the fleet. Two of these transactions occurred off-market.
Monthly sales included no transactions in April, one in May, three in June, one in July, one in August, and none in September.
June accounted for half of all completed transactions during the reporting period, making it the strongest month for sales activity. While transactions continued through July and August, September’s lack of completed sales demonstrates the uneven pace of buyer activity in this market.
With six aircraft sold over six months and five currently available, recent transaction volume has slightly exceeded current inventory. This relationship is encouraging, although the small number of transactions means individual sales can significantly influence market statistics.
Key Takeaways
• Five aircraft are currently available, representing 7.8% of the fleet.
• Historical inventory declined from seven aircraft in April to two in September.
• Current asking prices range from $3.295 million to $3.9 million.
• Six aircraft sold over the past six months, including two off-market transactions.
• Completed sales represent 9.4% of the fleet.
• The reported completed sale price is $3.6 million.
• Active listings average 43 days on market, compared with 495 days for completed transactions.
• September recorded no completed sales, following one transaction in August.
Key Insight
The Citation Encore+ market presents an interesting combination of limited inventory, relatively strong six-month fleet turnover, and historically lengthy marketing periods.
For sellers, the reduced selection of available aircraft may provide an advantage, particularly for those offering well-maintained examples with favorable engine maintenance status. However, the 495-day average marketing period for completed transactions serves as a reminder that limited inventory does not necessarily translate into quick sales.
Engine program enrollment and remaining time to hot section inspections or overhauls remain critical considerations. Aircraft with favorable maintenance positions may justify stronger valuations, while those facing significant upcoming expenses must be priced accordingly.
For buyers, the limited inventory means suitable opportunities may be difficult to find. However, evaluating engine maintenance exposure and overall aircraft condition remains essential, particularly when comparing aircraft with similar asking prices.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Encore+ market appears to have a manageable supply of available aircraft, but transaction activity remains inconsistent. Sellers who establish realistic pricing expectations and clearly communicate their aircraft’s maintenance advantages will be better positioned to attract qualified buyers.
