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Market Intelligence Coast Air Center
Updated Monthly — March 2026

Monthly Market Commentary

March 2026 Observations — Expert analysis on aircraft inventory, pricing, and market dynamics across all segments.

Days on Market
8% vs Last Month
Median Price
3% vs Last Month
Transactions (30D)
18% vs Last Month
Data Range
Mar 1 – Mar 31, 2026
Monthly Market Commentary — March 2026 Observations
Aircraft Segments

What the Market Is Telling Us

Four segments. One honest take. And what we can do that the public listings can't.

01
Business Jets

Light, Mid, & Heavy

The Bottom Line

Inventory is tightening—down 12% this year—while prices have climbed about 7%. If you're waiting for a "deal" to hit the public sites, you're already too late.

The Coast Advantage

Most of our jet transactions happen before a listing ever goes live. Talk to the Coast team about our Off-Market Network to find the specific Phenom or Citation that isn't on the public boards yet.

02
Turboprops

King Air, Pilatus, TBM & More

The Bottom Line

King Airs and Pilatus are the gold standard for liquidity right now. They aren't sitting around. If a clean PC-12 hits the market, it's gone in days.

The Coast Advantage

We specialize in the "Quiet Sale." We know which owners are ready to move up into jets—contact us to get first-look access to these turboprops before they reach the competition.

03
Piston Aircraft

Cirrus, Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, & Mooney

The Bottom Line

Inventory is finally recovering (+24 new listings this cycle). The "frenzy" is over, which means you can actually be picky about pedigree and logs again.

The Coast Advantage

Don't settle for a high-time trainer. We use our deep roots in the piston community to source low-time, owner-flown assets that never see a public listing.

04
Rotorcraft & Special Mission

Airbus, Bell, Robinson, CubCrafters, & Husky

The Bottom Line

This is a mission-specific market where "scarcity" is the only rule. Twin-engine supply is at a multi-year low, and utility airframes are holding values with zero depreciation.

The Coast Advantage

These are niche assets. Our team lives in this world—tell us your mission, and we'll hunt down the off-market Husky or Bell that fits your specific profile.<

What Our Clients Say

Trusted by Pilots, Buyers & Investors

Real experiences from the pilots, buyers, and investors who trust Coast Air Center with every aviation decision.

★★★★★

"I arrived in a Piper and had a fantastic experience with Coast Air. From touchdown to shutdown, the line service team was outstanding. They guided me in smoothly, handled the aircraft with care, and made the entire arrival process effortless. The staff was friendly, professional, and clearly experienced with general aviation aircraft. Fueling was quick and precise, and everything was done with attention and respect for the airplane. The atmosphere was relaxed yet highly professional, which is exactly what you want after a flight. Coast Air delivers the kind of service that makes you feel confident leaving your aircraft in their hands. I would absolutely return and highly recommend them to any GA pilot flying into the area. "

J Jonathan Siag
★★★★★

"Great FBO. I felt very welcomed and also got a curtesy vehicle for couple of hours. When I was back, my airplane was moved to my convenience to exit, since originally I’ve parked in flight school parking mistakenly. Beautiful place and extremely clean. Highly recommended !!! Controllers were also great. Fly in to see it yourself."

G Gary Gevojanyan
★★★★★

"Coast Air Center gave us VIP treatment! We were able to park right in front and they brought our car out to us. Hassle free. Highly recommend."

A Anne Jones Moffatt
★★★★★

"Second time in Coast Air Center, stayed overnight for two nights during thanksgiving. Very neat place, super friendly and accommodating staff, they took great care of the plane and helped me unload our luggage’s as we were disembarking with the family. They match CAA pricing for jet-a and have a mechanic and detailing service on site if you require it. Definitely recommend!"

B Benjamin Loulier
★★★★★

"Coast Air is outstanding. When my Vision jet had trouble, I landed there, and they blew me away. Their maintenance team is unmatched, and the FBO staff are warm, sharp, and get things done fast. Larissa stood out—super helpful, always in the loop with updates. Best experience I could've hoped for."

W Wolf Investment
★★★★★

"Loved flying into this airport! Coast Air Center was great. Clean facilities, very friendly, with good snacks and drinks. Will definitely have to fly in again!"

A Alex Sigrist
★★★★★

"We flew in on Thanksgiving Day. The FBO had our car ready and were very friendly, making this an easy way to end our cross country journey. The line and desk staff were great, we will continue using Coast Air for our trips to the San Diego area!"

D Derec Shuler
★★★★★

"Came to Montgomery to try out the restaurant on the field. We decided to park at coast air the staff was super friendly and very helpful since it was our first time here we had difficulty parking but coast air helped us out and were awesome. Big Thank you to Brianna for being awesome we will be back!!!"

S Sultan Wardak
★★★★★

"Fantastic service, elegant FBO, and choice snacks! Coast Air treated us right after a long cross country! Staff are very friendly, and their services are prompt and professional. Would recommend."

I Ian Simons
★★★★★

"Coastal Air Center in San Diego is fantastic! The team here is wonderful, Briana is amazing! The facility is clean, and well-maintained, making it a pleasure to visit. Highly recommend for top-notch aviation services!"

A Austin Farmer
★★★★★

"Just want to say how incredibly nice everyone here is at coast air. I have been flown by the best pilots in and out of this airport for angel flights and every time I have been greeted and made feel comfortable while I wait, especially when I’m not feeling my best. Thank you so much."

K kyleen nino
★★★★★

"I had a great experience at Coast Air Center FBO. The facility was clean, welcoming, and well-organized, making for a smooth and stress-free visit. Everyone on the team was professional and helpful, and I especially want to highlight Shayla—she was incredibly kind, attentive, and went out of her way to make sure everything was taken care of. Her positive attitude and friendly demeanor made a lasting impression. I’ll definitely be back and would highly recommend this FBO to anyone flying into the area."

A Alexander Errett
★★★★★

"First time flying into Montgomery executive. The ladies at Coast center welcomed us in with cold waters and lovely vibes. Center is comfortable with clean bathrooms, free coffee station, couple free snacks to choose from and a paid vending machine. Had a nice chat with them and will be returning here in the future."

M Michael Donnelly
★★★★★

"Coast Air Center at Montgomery-Gibbs (KMYF) delivers one of the best FBO experiences in San Diego. The facility is modern, clean, and comfortable—with a beautiful lounge, fast Wi-Fi, refreshments, and even fresh-baked cookies and espresso. The staff is incredibly friendly and professional, with quick, efficient line service and helpful front desk support. Courtesy cars and on-site rental options make transportation easy, and their fuel prices are some of the most competitive in the area. Bonus: They offer full maintenance and avionics support on-site, with hangar space and a 145 repair station. Highly recommended—this is my go-to FBO in San Diego!"

D Desiree Starke
★★★★★

"Great customer service! FBO was clean and easy to get in and out of. Will be back again!"

J Jillian King
Strategic Outlook

What You Should Do Right Now

Market Data Range: March 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026

For Sellers

  • Spring Momentum We are in the peak window. Listing now captures the influx of buyers looking to close before the summer mission season.
  • Fresh Paper A fresh 100-hour or annual inspection is your best sales tool. Don't leave "squawks" for the buyer to find during the pre-buy.
  • The "Pedigree" Premium Buyers are paying up for clean, US-based history. If your logs are digitized and your maintenance is current, you have the leverage.

For Buyers

  • Market Stability Current data shows we have moved past the volatility of previous years. High-quality domestic airframes are still rare—if a clean plane hits the market, move.
  • Look at the Total Cost A "cheap" plane with an upcoming hot section or engine overhaul is almost always the more expensive deal by next year.
  • The 5-Year Rule Buy for the mission you have now. We're seeing the best returns for owners who plan to hold and fly for 5+ years.

Outside Factors We're Watching

Bonus Depreciation

The return of 100% Bonus Depreciation is keeping US floor prices higher than international inventory.

Insurance Trends

Rates are finally starting to settle in certain categories—talk to us about how to position your transition training to get the best quote.

The market intelligence and analysis provided on this page represents Coast Air Center's professional opinion based on available market data, industry sources, and our transaction experience. Market conditions are dynamic and subject to rapid change. Individual aircraft valuations may vary based on specific condition, equipment, history, and market timing. This information is for general guidance only and is not a formal appraisal or guarantee of future performance.

Last Updated: March 15, 2026  |  Next Update: April 15, 2026

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