Non-NNew NARA Niche Booming Too

With sales of over $1 billion in the first half of this year, members of the National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA) are in an ebullient mood here at NBAA-and they want business to keep booming.

Second quarter billing for NARA member companies totaled over $590 million, accounting for sales of 21.6% of previously-owned jet aircraft and 8% of previously owned turboprops worldwide.

The AMSTAT Corporation (a research organization which compiles information exclusively on world business aircraft sales) claims that 356 pre-owned jets and 350 pre-owned turboprops were sold during the second quarter of 2000. NARA members' sales for the same period totaled 77 jets and 28 turboprops.

These figures follow NARA's first quarter 2000 billings of $568.75 million in pre-owned sales. AMSTAT statistics for this period show worldwide pre-owned jet sales at 441 and turboprops at 368-increases of 30.9% and 10.5% respectively over the same period in 1999.

Dean Rush, president of both NARA and Signature Combs Aircraft Sales, said of the latest figures, "NARA member dealers and brokers continue to report strong sales for pre-owned business aircraft. A healthy economy, sustained demand for good airplanes and a more active first-time buyer market have all contributed to an outstanding first half."

This is the tenth successive year that NARA has attended the NBAA event, and the association is looking for positive sales here at New Orleans. It expects member companies to fly in between 15 and 20 pre-owned jets and turboprops for sale during the convention.

Susan Sheets, NARA's Executive Director, said that the Association's aim at New Orleans is "to get across the message to prospective clients of the 'Customer Benefits' of dealing with NARA members."

The 70 members comprise dealers and brokers, plus over 40 associate members who offer a complete range of services allied to the corporate aircraft operations and maintenance sectors. NARA claims that its members transact around 20% of all sales of pre-owned jets and an average of 10% of all sales of pre-owned turboprops, worldwide.

Current special offers available from 16 NARA members include the customer's choice of a Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo or Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) from Bombardier Capital Inc. when taking out a loan of over $3 million. Dallas Airmotive Inc is offering a one-time credit of $1,000 for engine maintenance costing over $10,000 and valid for 18 months from enrolment, and Signature Regional Maintenance Centers are offering 10% off the flat rate price of the customer's next scheduled maintenance event.

Susan Sheets explained, "Working with NARA members connects you to NARA's associate members who are vendors, service providers offering discounts on fuel, equipment, avionics, refurbishment, maintenance, flight training, financing, legal fees, insurance, title and escrow. All NARA associate members are pledged to the same high ethical and professional standards as NARA's dealers and brokers."

NARA members held their annual board meeting on the eve of the NBAA show here and have elected a new steering committee to take effect from January 2001.