Aircraft deliveries were up 6% in 2022, with billings topping $26.8 billion, according to the latest report from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
“The general aviation manufacturing industry continues to show increasing strength despite workforce and supply chain challenges across our industry,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO.
During the association’s annual State of the Industry presentation, both Bunce and GAMA Chairman Eric Hinson, president and CEO of Simcom International, noted that general aviation is the “safety and sustainability incubator” for the aviation industry across the globe.
“These safety, performance and sustainability efforts are built upon progress with lighter weight materials, new structural and wing designs, fly-by-wire control replacing heavy hydraulic systems, additive manufacturing reducing the number of parts, lighter weight and more reliable avionics, and engines and airframes that can fly on a 100% sustainable aviation fuel blend,” Bunce said. “Of course, the impressive list of progress doesn’t even begin to touch on the revolution of electric, hybrid and hydrogen propulsion our companies are developing.”
GAMA officials noted that as Congress tackles FAA reauthorization this year, GA and business aviation advocates will look to Congress “to focus the FAA on improving their processes to facilitate the certification of new technologies, as well as support their validation efforts globally to deliver safety, performance, and sustainability benefits.”
By The Numbers
GAMA’s year-end report shows that airplane shipments in 2022, when compared to 2021, saw piston airplane deliveries increase 8.2%, with 1,524 delivered; turboprop airplane deliveries increase 10.4% to 582; and business jet deliveries increase to 712 from 710.
The value of airplane deliveries for 2022 was $22.9 billion, an increase of approximately 5.8%.
Piston helicopter deliveries for 2022, when compared to 2021, saw an increase of 7.2%, with 194 delivered, while preliminary civil-commercial turbine helicopter deliveries increased 7.6% to 682.
The preliminary value of helicopter deliveries for 2022 was $4 billion, an increase of approximately 6.8%.
GAMA’s complete 2022 year-end report can be found at GAMA.aero.