The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced record-breaking shipment and billing figures during this year’s AirVenture. In the first half of 2006, shipments totaled 1,843, a 19.1% increase over the same period last year, with industry billings rising 34.9% to $8.8 billion.
“This is the highest recorded billings for the first half of a year in general aviation’s history,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA’s president and CEO. “With our manufacturers’ current backlog, we are confident that this trend will continue throughout the remainder of 2006.”
The upward trend in industry shipments was evident in all aircraft segments. Shipments of piston-powered airplanes were up 17.4%, while turboprop shipments rose 12.1%. The healthiest increase occurred in the business jet market with a 27.7% increase in shipments from 325 units to 415 units.