WASHINGTON, DC — General aviation airplane shipments increased 9.6% in the first quarter of this year, according to figures just released by the The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
Shipments increased from 418 in 2012 to 458 this year. Billings for GA airplanes totaled $4.6 billion in the first three months, up 32% from the same period last year.
Turboprop shipments, which were up in 2012 due to strong agricultural sales, are now showing strength across the entire sector, according to GAMA officials.
The single-engine turboprop airplanes had a positive trajectory, up 14.6% to 102 this year. In addition, multi-engine turboprop airplanes were strong with 34 shipments compared to last year’s 19 airplanes. Business jet shipments totaled 129 units, a 4% increase. The piston engine airplane segment was also positive, up 3.8% to 193 deliveries.
“We are very pleased to see a shift to the positive for GA airplanes, which extends across all airplane segments, for the first quarter of 2013,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “However, the performance was mixed within the segments, which demonstrates the need for industry’s continued engagement with elected officials and regulators throughout the world as we seek to strengthen the GA sector. Just this week, for example, GAMA board members wrapped up more than 110 meetings in Washington, DC with senators and representatives on both sides of the aisle to discuss certification, user fees, small aircraft revitalization, aviation security, and tax policy. We look forward to continuing to work with regulators, leaders in Congress and officials in governments around the globe to speed the recovery and revitalization of general aviation.”
GAMA is an international trade association representing more than 80 of the world’s leading manufacturers of general aviation airplanes and rotorcraft, engines, avionics, components and related services. GAMA’s members also operate repair stations, FBOs, pilot and maintenance training facilities and manage fleets of aircraft. For more information: GAMA.aero.