General aviation shipments were up 15.7% in the first quarter of 2005, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Industry billings for new airplanes rose to $2.7 billion. First quarter shipments of piston-powered airplanes manufactured worldwide increased to 432 units in the first quarter 2005, up from last year’s 394.
Turboprop shipments increased from 34 airplanes in the first quarter of 2004 to 57 this year. Business jets also were up, with first quarter shipments increasing 21.1%, from 114 units last year to 138 units this year.