GA airplane shipments continue steady growth

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The third quarter general aviation aircraft shipment report, released Thursday by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), shows that total worldwide general aviation airplane shipments increased 5.7% to 1,678, and billings rose to $16 billion, up 4%.

Piston-engine airplane shipments increased 9.2% to 806 in the first nine months of 2014, compared to 738 airplane shipments in the same period last year.

Turboprop airplane shipments were down 3.7% to 412 this year. Business jet shipments were up over last year, from 421 to 460 in 2014.

“The optimism about the general aviation market on display at the National Business Aviation Association‘s convention last week is reflected in the continued recovery of the business jet and piston-engine segments this quarter,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. “New products are helping to fuel our industry’s continued growth as we continue to emerge from the recession.

“Unfortunately, not every sector, as evidenced by turboprops, is showing sustained growth, and this is indicative of the industry challenges we still face,” Bunce continued. “Following the U.S. mid-term elections on Nov. 4, we hope the U.S. Congress will use the remaining weeks in the session to move forward on renewing tax incentives — such as the research and development (R&D) tax credit and bonus depreciation — to help general aviation manufacturers continue to innovate, sell more airframes, and spur installation of safety-enhancing products to finish the year on a strong note.”