General Aviation aircraft sales up in 2021

Sales of General Aviation aircraft soared last year despite – or perhaps because of – the pandemic. All types of aircraft saw increases, according to a report issued by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

GAMA’s 2021 General Aviation Aircraft Shipments and Billings Report details increases in shipments across the board. Preliminary aircraft deliveries were valued at $25.2 billion, an increase of 10.2%.

“The strength and tenacity of the General Aviation industry has provided a strong foundation for the industry to rebound from pandemic-related setbacks with a powerful showing in 2021,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA President and CEO.

“Total aircraft shipments are converging on figures that were seen before the outset of the pandemic. The industry has been able to weather the storm by strategically managing workforce and supply chain challenges, which unfortunately are still ongoing.

“Despite this adversity, there is robust interest and excitement in our industry as we continue to further our advancements in innovation, technology and environmental sustainability.”

Cessna’s 172 Skyhawk was second best-selling single-engine piston aircraft in 2021 with 166 deliveries. Top: Cirrus SR22T was top-seller (again) with 230 deliveries. The normally-aspirated Cirrus SR22 was third with 130 deliveries

Among the highlights:

• Piston-engine aeroplane deliveries up 5.5% to 1,393
• Turboprop aeroplane up 19.0% to 523
• Business jets up 10.2% to 710
• Piston helicopters up 27.5% to 181
• Turbine helicopters up 24.8% to 645
• The preliminary value of aeroplane deliveries for 2021 was $21.6 billion, an increase of approximately 7.6%.
• The preliminary value of helicopter deliveries for 2021 was $3.7 billion, an increase of approximately 28.0%.
• The piston engine aeroiplane market in North America accounted for 68.7% of overall shipments.
• The second largest market for piston airplanes for the seventh year in a row was the Asia-Pacific market at 14.4%.
• Turboprop aeropalne shipments to North American customers accounted for 52.6% of the global deliveries.
• The second largest market for turboprop aerioplane deliveries was the Latin American market at 15.7%.
• The North American market accounted for 65.9% of business jet deliveries. The second largest market for business jet deliveries during the year was Europe at 18.0%.

Diamond’s DA40 was fourth top-selling single with 122 deliveries in 2021

Manufacturer deliveries in 2022
American Champion 20 aircraft, value $5.4m
Cirrus Aircraft 528, value $632.9m
CubCrafters 50, value $11.5m
Daher (Kodiak + TBM) 68, value $277.8m
Diamond Aircraft 240, value $164.9m
Epic Aircraft 10, value $37.9m
Extra Aircraft 22, value $7.8m
Flight Design 41, value $6.5m
ICON Aircraft 18, value $n/a
Pilatus 135, value $990.7m
Piper Aircraft 207, value $n/a
Pipistrel Aircraft 74, value $n/a
Sonaca Aircraft 19, value $4.6m
Tecnam Aircraft 203, value $92.13m
Textron Aviation (Cessna + Beechcraft, piston and turbine) 546, value $3,279.5m
Robinson Helicopters 244, value $151.8m

GAMA