13 May 2013
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has released the industry’s aeroplane shipment and billings figures for the first quarter.
In the first three months of 2013, total worldwide GA aeroplane shipments increased 9.6%, from 418 units in 2012 to 458 units this year. Billings for GA aeroplanes totalled $4.6bn 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. The single-engine turboprop aeroplanes had a positive trajectory, up 14.6% to 102 units this year. In addition, the multi-engine turboprop aeroplanes were strong with 34 shipments compared to last year’s 19 aeroplanes. Business jet shipments totalled 129 units, a 4% increase. The piston engine aeroplane segment was also positive, up 3.8% to 193 unit deliveries.
GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said, “We are very pleased to see a shift to the positive for GA aeroplanes, which extends across all aircraft segments, for the first quarter of 2013. 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.”
GAMA reports that its board members have been working with senators and representatives in the USA to discuss certification, user fees, small aircraft revitalisation, aviation security and tax policy.
The figures show that Cessna, Diamond and Piper shipments have all fallen, compared to the same quarter last year, while Cirrus shipments have risen from 45 to 51. Significantly, shipments of the SR22T (pictured) have doubled from the same quarter in 2013, from 13 to 26 aircraft.
One aircraft manufacturer which has seen positive results from the first quarter is the newly rebranded Beechcraft. The manufacturer delivered 59 aeroplanes to new owners in the first quarter, compared with 37 for the same period last year. The deliveries included 16 King Air 350i/ER turboprop twins, 13 King Air 250s, five King Air 90 GTx models, nine T-6A/B/C military trainers, seven G58 Baron piston twins and nine G36 Bonanzas. Beechcraft also reports that its King Air captured 94% of the global multi-engine turboprop deliveries in 2012.
Bill Boisture, Beechcraft CEO, commented, “The market is responding positively to the new Beechcraft, as we focus on a line of versatile products like the King Air turboprop, the T-6 military trainer aircraft and the largest global customer support network in the industry.”
<a href=’http://www.gama.aero’ target=’_blank’>www.gama.aero</a>
