General Aviation aircraft deliveries up again in 2022

General Aviation aircraft sales and deliveries continued to increase during 2022, according to the latest Shipments and Billing Report from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

Overall, when compared to 2021, all aircraft segments saw increases in shipments and preliminary aircraft deliveries were valued at $26.8 billion, an increase of 6.0%.

The Cirrus SR22T continues to be the best-selling piston aircraft with 280 being delivered in 2022. Cirrus made a total of 629 aircraft in 2022, including 90 Vision Jets.

The top-selling Cessna is, once again, the 172 with 151 delivered.

Gulfstream had the largest revenue of any GA aircraft manufacturer, selling 120 of its private jets for a total of $6,604,523,810.

Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO, said, “The general aviation manufacturing industry continues to show increasing strength despite workforce and supply chain challenges across our industry.

“Our product development across the spectrum of fixed wing, rotorcraft and Advanced Air Mobility vehicles is spurred by the recognition that our industry is the safety and sustainability technology incubator for global civil aviation.

“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.

“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.

“As we look towards FAA reauthorization in the U.S., we will be looking for 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.”

Aeroplane shipments in 2022, when compared to 2021, saw:

• Piston aeroplane deliveries increase 8.2%, with 1,524 units
• Turboprop aeroplane deliveries increase 10.4%, with 582 units
• Business jet deliveries increase to 712 units from 710
• Value of aeroplane deliveries $22.9 billion, an increase of approximately 5.8%
• Piston helicopter deliveries up 7.2%, with 194 units
• Preliminary civil-commercial turbine helicopter increase 7.6%, with 682 units
• Preliminary value of helicopter deliveries $4.0 billion, an increase of approximately 6.8%.

The full GAMA 2022 report can be downloaded here.