The third-quarter report on general aviation aircraft shipments and billings shows that piston airplane deliveries increased slightly in the first nine months of 2020, compared to 2019.
That’s good news in a year when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the aviation industry so hard.
Other segments of GA didn’t fare so well, with turboprop, business jet, and helicopter deliveries down through the first nine months of 2020, compared to the same period of 2019, according to the latest figures from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
“This latest shipment report gives insight into how the industry is faring after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “While we are still trailing in comparison to last year’s figures due to a virus-impacted second quarter, it is encouraging to see deliveries in certain segments have rebounded. This is reflected in what aviators have witnessed over the past few months at GA airports on both sides of the Atlantic where flight activity is robust, particularly in the flight school arena.”
The latest report also reports certified electric aircraft deliveries for the first time.
“This portends an exciting evolution in propulsion technologies and highlights another pathway in our industry’s multifaceted efforts toward, and commitment to, environmental sustainability,” Bunce said.
And while the latest numbers show the industry’s resilience, Bunce believes that GA “will likely once again face stiff headwinds from the resurgent pandemic, especially given that many European countries have once again gone into lockdown without a common pan-European policy enabling general and business aviation travel across national borders.”
“Despite these significant challenges, it continues to be our dedicated workforce that enables our industry to persevere through the recovery process,” he added.
Airplane shipments through the first nine months of 2020, when compared to the same period in 2019, saw piston airplane deliveries increase 1.4%, to 889; turboprop airplane deliveries decline 27%, to 254; and business jet deliveries decline 26.7%, to 378.
The value of airplane deliveries through the third quarter of 2020 was $11.9 billion, a drop of 20.1%.
Civil-commercial turbine helicopter deliveries for the first nine months of 2020 saw a decline of 23.3%, to 333, while piston helicopter deliveries saw a decline of 25.5%, to 105.
Not surprised piston singles are selling and turboprops are not. The ONLY value in the over 250kts space is the Cirrus Jet and they are booked for years. Turboprops are absurdly over priced. And Cirrus sells most of the piston singles too.
I’m guessing we can kiss thid all goodbye for at least the next 4 years…. Just a prediction.