2023 was a “banner year” for general aviation, with piston airplanes deliveries increasing 11.8% to 1,682.
But what were the top 10 best-selling piston airplanes of the year?
The Cirrus SR22T held the top spot for the second year in a row, while the Cessna Skyhawk came in second place. Aircraft from Piper, Diamond, Tecnam, and Pipistrel also claimed spots in the top 10.
Cirrus SR22T: 355 sold.
2. Cessna Skyhawk: 180 sold.
3. Piper Pilot 100i: 145 sold.
4. Cirrus SR22: 142 sold.
5. Diamond DA40: 119 sold.
6. Cirrus SR20: 115 sold.
7. Diamond DA62: 66 sold.
8. Tecnam Mentor: 60 sold.
9. Tecnam P2010: 58 sold.
10. Pipistrel Alpha Trainer: 53 sold.
Want to know more?
GAMA’s complete 2022 year-end report can be found at GAMA.aero, which includes a breakdown by each manufacturer and each model.
Pipistrel is doing their best to keep costs down. Their Alpha Trainers are being picked up by a growing number of flight schools and clubs. New ones for 2025 top out around $200k. Before they all had Garmin glass panel avionics, they were around $150k. If you’ve got a 15-20 year old bird with a 6-pack, you can replace it with a new glass-panel dash and sell it for a net profit, or even rent it to a flight school or club for a nice profit.
When the airline hiring stops, it will be the final gasp for GA. $1M for a Cirrus and $400K for a Cessna… The very narrow slice of people that can afford these new planes is getting smaller and smaller. The VERY old GA fleet available for folks not trying to get their ATP and just flying for fun, gets smaller every year and the prices for a 50-60 year old 6 pack equipped planes also keeps getting more and more expensive. If a mfg. cannot create a modern, certified aircraft in the $200K-$300K range, GA as we know it will be gone in 10-15 years.. or sooner.
My initial thoughts agree with you comment. Does anyone have a counterpoint? I struggle to find a trend that supports a diverse GA pilot community.
Something has always intrigued me about the Cirrus market:
Despite the number of brand-new Cirrus SR-20 & 22 models sold every year (612 in 2023, combined); there are always a LOT of relatively new, low-Total Time, used ones for sale.
(Heck, even a 1999 SR-20 is brand new in “airplane years”.)
A check of today’s listings in Barnstormer, Controller, and TAP, yields a total of 556 piston models, plus a couple of Vision jets. Granted, a few of those may be duplicate listings, but still ….
Makes me wonder: What is the average ownership “tenure” for someone who buys a Cirrus? Is the lust to own one so quickly overcome by the financial realities of owning & insuring one????
Regardless …I wish my wife made more money!
It’s sad to see such low production numbers.
From 1956 to 1979 [ when GA production stopped], Cessna sold 1,100 to 1,500 C172s every year, and totaled over 40,000 produced and sold..!!!
And now Cirrus is #1 , for those who can afford a $1 million aircraft…!!
What about JMB VL3?
Add up the 3 models of the Cirrus’s and you realize they are the serious driver of the piston market. I understand Beech has mothballed the Bonanza assembly line. I question if this level of production is enough to even sustain General Aviation. Thank Goodness that Vans looks like it will be exiting Bankruptcy intact.
Part 23 only. Others need not apply
Except for the bargain Piper and always successful 182 looks like the old makers better get with some new product, and more affordable prices or they will soon be gone !
FYI…The “Skyhawk” is the Cessna 172, not the 182.