Shipments of general aviation airplanes for the first nine months of this year showed a steady growth over last year, with 2,842 planes delivered, an increase of 18.9% over the same period last year, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Even better news: Industry-wide billings were $13.2 billion, up 28.6 %.
GAMA officials noted that sales of airplanes manufactured in the U.S. to customers in other parts of the world play a big part in the boom times.
“General aviation plays an indispensable role in contributing to the vitality of the U.S. economy and now we are seeing GA playing an ever increasing role in the global marketplace,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA’s president and CEO. “Our manufacturers have seen growth in all airplane segments, part of which we attribute to strengthening sales in Europe, and into Russia, China and India.”
Piston-engine aircraft shipments totaled 1,957 units compared to 1,653 units delivered in 2005, an 18.4% increase. Turboprop shipments increased from 228 units last year to 256 units this year. Business jet shipments were 629, a 23.3% increase over the 510 units delivered through the first nine months in 2005.