PC-12S BY THE DOZEN
This month, we’re celebrating our 12th year in business. What started as two people (our Founder, Don Peterson, and our Chief Financial Officer, Loran Lonergan) with a vision and a passion has grown into a 12 person team.
Is it a coincidence that our Pilatus PC-12 specific company is celebrating its 12th year with 12 employees? We don’t think so.
This small-batch production aircraft, manufactured in Switzerland, makes up all of our livelihoods. Needless to say, we’ve followed our leader’s vision and have become deeply passionate about the product. Along this journey, we’ve refined our product to further enhance the great work the Swiss have already accomplished. It is our hope and belief that our proprietary reports and thorough operations provide real value to our customers who are paying us to deliver a superior service.
One of the most gratifying moments for our team is the day a customer comes to Kansas City to pick up their aircraft. We’ve coined this event as the “Red Bow Ceremony.” And yes, we actually put a big red bow on top of the aircraft.
In 2025, we were lucky enough to host 19 Red Bow Ceremonies. This event gives our team the chance to celebrate this milestone alongside our customers. For many, it can be emotional. Few people see the sleepless nights, the pressure of making payroll, and the risks that come with building a business–to excel
at the rate of being able to afford an asset such as a Pilatus. Taking delivery of an aircraft is more than just adding to the balance sheet. It’s a tangible representation of hard work and future opportunity. We try to honor that moment and never take it for granted.
In 2026, we would love nothing more than to host 25 Red Bow Ceremonies. Will the market support such activity? Is the JetSwiss team built and ready for this kind of volume? If I’m a betting man, there are two things I’ll bet the house on: Pilatus and JetSwiss.
Pilatus will likely double deliveries of new aircraft in 2026 compared to 2025. Keep in mind, tariffs halted deliveries for several months in 2025.
With 33% of new deliveries going to existing Pilatus owners, there is a real possibility an additional 15 aircraft will be available in the U.S. pre-owned market this year–and our data fully supports it. On top of that, there will be another 100 aircraft coming into operation, a friendly tax environment, expanded service centers capacity, and continued growth in demand, and the outlook is clear.
The odds are in favor of Pilatus.
Fly safe, The JetSwiss Team
MARKET CHANGES IN THE LAST 30 DAYS
TIME ON MARKET
0-30 Days on Market
31-60 Days on Market
61-90 Days on Market
4-6 Months on Market
7-12 Months on Market
1-2 Years on Market
AVERAGE LISTING PRICE BY QUARTER | 2021-2026
HISTORICAL AVERAGE SALE PRICE
AIRCRAFT CONDITION EVALUATION
So, you’ve found the perfect Pilatus. Fantastic! At JetSwiss, we take it one step further—making sure it’s fully inspected and truly move-in ready. That’s where our Aircraft Condition Evaluation (ACE), comes in.
JetSwiss’ expert technicians and flight crews evaluate each specific aircraft, examining the logbooks and records, conducting visual inspections, multiple test flights, engine exams, calculating future maintenance cost projections, etc. This summary or ‘ACE’ report provides our clients with a detailed look at every rivet, component, and record for a subject aircraft.
Test Flights
As a part of our internal protocol, every aircraft undergoes test flights with our experts on duty.
Logbook Research
Our Maintenance Director, who brings over 20 years of Pilatus-specific experience, reviews all aircraft records in detail.
Walkaround Inspection
We take pictures and video of every scratch, divot, and rivet to document the condition of the aircraft.
Borescope Inspection
Using advanced equipment, we conduct an in-house borescope inspection to evaluate the heart of the aircraft—the engine.
Documented Loose Equipment
We document all loose equipment, such as aircraft covers and software install kits to ensure your move is as smooth as possible.
Maintenance Analysis Examination
This provides you with a detailed maintenance status for the aircraft, as well as cost projections for up to three years into the future.
When buying a Pilatus with JetSwiss, you’re stepping into ownership with the highest level of clarity and diligence available.
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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.
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. MODEL
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.
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PC-24 BY THE NUMBERS
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.
LABOR OF LOVE
WITH MARK TATE
At JetSwiss, delivery day is about more than handing over keys. It’s about celebrating a journey. With a red bow on the nose and a final walkaround, we pause to appreciate what owning a Pilatus truly represents.
For our team, it’s one of the most meaningful moments we share with our clients. But behind every delivery is a much bigger story–one built on years of hard work, perseverance, and support from the people who matter most. It’s a true labor of love!
This month, that story belongs to Mark Tate.
Retired from the Dairy Industry
Mark grew up on a dairy farm. He worked seven days a week, 365 days a year, milking the cows at 2 in the morning, and again at 3 in the afternoon.
“I’ve never worked a day in my life as hard as I worked those 20 years growing up on a dairy farm.”
He jokes and tells his friends he retired from the dairy industry, but that hard work ethic never left him.
After earning a degree in engineering, Mark spent a decade working for a metal fabrication company before deciding to build something of his own. He and his wife opened a shop called T Top Manufacturing on that same dairy farm.
“You bring a customer over and they come out on a farm and have to step over the cow manure to come into your office.” Mark laughs. “You’re like, watch your step.”
Today, the company has 40 employees, and next year, they will celebrate their 30-year anniversary.
“GRAND PLANE” MARK TATE SNAPPED THIS PHOTO OF HIS GRANDCHILDREN THIS PAST CHRISMAS.
Powered by Support and Gratitude
Like many starting businesses, the first few years are hard. Nearly all of the money made was going back into the business. T Top was getting ready to expand, but in 2008, the banks stopped lending money. This postponed their shop expansion by three years.
“I think if you don’t go through those [hard times] you don’t know how good you have it.”
Gratitude has also always been a part of Mark’s mindset.
“You have to thank the Lord every day for just waking up. I’ve been blessed with a wife who’s supported me. Our kids, all three of them, turned out great.”
From 206 to JetSwiss!
Just as Mark didn’t want to become a dairy farmer, he encouraged his children to pursue their own passions. For his son Austin, that passion led to flying.
When Austin began flight training, the family purchased a Cessna 206 to help him build hours. As his licenses advanced and their travel needs grew, the Tate family began exploring larger aircraft.
They explored several options, including the M600, Epic, and Caravan, visiting airshows and talking through what would truly fit their lifestyle. The Tates needed something that could get them from Texas to Cabo for a company they were looking to purchase. Austin spoke to his pilot friends, who suggested Pilatus. With more research, one name stood out for Pilatus expertise–JetSwiss!
In 2023, the Tates took delivery of their PC-12/45.
“It makes the world so much smaller. You can be anywhere in the U.S. within 3 hours.”
Before long, they made the Pilatus their own, trading the purple paint for a clean blue scheme.
One Turns Left, One Turns Right
While Austin turns left to go to the cockpit, Mark turns right and settles in the cabin. Mark says it feels natural now.
All six of Mark’s grandchildren feel right at home as well. Whenever a vacation comes into conversation, the grandkids ask:
‘Are we flying or driving?’
And his favorite part? The shared experiences that come with every flight. Mark enjoys introducing friends and family to private aviation for the first time.
“It’s like when we go down to the coast or Cabo and go fishing, and I take them out to get their first marlin.”
In the fall, Mark and his wife are traveling to Switzerland and hope to visit the Pilatus Factory in Stans. For this trip, however, he will be flying commercial.
The Tate’s Pilatus on delivery day, before repainting
The Tate’s Pilatus as of recent
READY ‘T.O. L.I.F.T.’ YOUR PILATUS?
Our expertise in Pilatus aircraft goes beyond the transfer of ownership. If you need help or have any questions about any auxiliary items around your aircraft ownership, please reach out.
TRAINING
Our team can assist you in selecting the right training solution, while balancing insurance, costs, timing, and risks.
OPERATIONS
We help you navigate various topics such as sourcing a pilot, management company, charter operator, or even the best FBO/hangar source. Finding the correct solution is best accomplished from an aviation insider perspective.
LLEGAL
At JetSwiss, our aviation-specific legal resources have the knowledge and experience to navigate the landmines, protecting our clients now and in the future.
INSURANCE
We assist our clients in navgating the complexities of the insurance markets and understanding where the opportunity cost/benefit scale meets risk/liability.
FINANCE
Whether you are paying cash, leasing, or taking on debt, knowing your options and pitfalls will allow you to make the smartest decision.
TAXES
The stakes are high when it comes to taxes. Navigating the complexities of federal, state, and local tax regulations can mean a world of difference.
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