Factory shipments of general aviation aircraft dipped again in the third quarter of the year with business jets dropping 20.3% from last year while pistons declined only 6.6% below 2009, according to figures released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
In the first nine months of 2010, total general aviation airplane shipments fell 14.5%, from 1,588 in 2009 to 1,357 this year. Billings for GA aircraft totaled $13.47 billion in the first nine months, a drop of 2.5%.
Pete Bunce, president and CEO of GAMA, expressed confidence the industry has a positive long-term outlook. “Our industry is coming off a successful National Business Aviation Association convention and we are encouraged by the sales announcements and a more positive outlook overall as discretionary spending starts to pick back up on a global level.”
GAMA’s figures represent shipments and billings by the manufacturers to their distributor and dealer networks. Information about sales to the ultimate buyers and users of the aircraft lags several months behind.
For more information: GAMA.aero