Podcast: The Truth About the Market Host: Jason Zilberbrand, President & CTO, VREF Length: ~35 minutes Theme: Why aircraft aren’t selling — and what fair market, orderly liquidation, and forced liquidation values really mean when the market slows down

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jason Zilberbrand takes a hard look at what happens when aircraft stop moving — not just in the air, but in the resale market. From piston singles and turboprops to light jets, days-on-market have tripled since 2022, and many owners are still pricing aircraft like it’s 2021. Jason breaks down how to interpret real market data, why “seller expectation lag” is slowing deals, and what every owner, buyer, and lender needs to understand about fair market, orderly liquidation, and forced liquidation values in today’s environment.

In This Episode

• Why aircraft sit on the market — and how the slowdown is showing across categories
• The difference between Fair Market Value (FMV), Orderly Liquidation Value (OLV), and Forced Liquidation Value (FLV)
• What lender portfolios and repossessions reveal about market stress
• The top six reasons aircraft don’t sell — from high engine times to missing logbooks
• How unrealistic pricing and seller denial are distorting the market
• Why cosmetic neglect, outdated avionics, and incomplete records can kill a deal
• What owners can do now to maintain value and liquidity in a cooling market

Key Takeaways

• The 2021 boom is over. Pricing must follow reality, not nostalgia.
• FMV ≠ listing price. In this market, true fair value can be 10–20% below asking.
• Liquidation values matter. Lenders use OLV and FLV to gauge real collateral risk.
• Engine time is still king. Looming overhauls attract bottom feeders, not retail buyers.
• Logs sell planes. Missing or incomplete documentation can erase financing options.
• Cosmetics count. Paint, interior, and presentation drive first impressions — and offers.

Jason’s Truth

“Price follows demand. Demand follows confidence. Sellers who ignore real data are the ones who sit. If you’re still pricing like it’s 2021, you’re already behind.”

The Top 6 Reasons Aircraft Sit

1. High engine times or upcoming overhauls – scare off retail buyers, attract wholesalers
2. Outdated or inoperative avionics – upgrade costs can exceed aircraft value

...Full show notes and podcast can seen at https://vref.com/news/episode-11-when-aircraft-sit-understanding-value-in-a-slow-market-11-12-25

Brought to You By

VREF — The Trusted Name in Aircraft Valuations and Appraisals. Whether you fly a piston single or manage a business jet fleet, VREF keeps you grounded in data that matters. Know what your aircraft is really worth before you buy, sell, or finance at vref.com.