14 November 2008
The latest figures from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) show that although shipments of piston engine aircraft have fallen since last year, sales in both the turbine and bizjet markets have risen. Although GAMA is a US-based organisation, its figures include those from across the world.
Overall, the number and value of light aircraft units delivered in the first three-quarters of 2008 show an increase from 2,918 airframes worth $15.1 billion in the first three-quarters of 2007 to 2,977 airframes and $18.2 billion in the same period of 2008.
The increases, though, are among turbine-engined aircraft (rising from 700 in 2007 to 341 in 2008) and business jets (rising from 761 in 2007 to 990 in 2008 – a 30 percent increase). Among piston engine manufacturers the numbers have fallen from 1,857 in 2007 to 1,646 in 2008. That’s a fall of over 11 percent among piston engine deliveries.
Different individual manufacturers have had different stories through the year so far. Cessna, for instance, has seen a gradual rise through the year in most of its types, with the C400 (the former Columbia 400) selling 13 airframes in Quarter 1, 27 airframes in Quarter 2 and 35 in Quarter 3. (Last year, as the Columbia 400, the aircraft sold 35, 37 and 28 airframes in the respective quarters). Overall, in each quarter this year so far Cessna has beaten its 2007 delivery numbers.
Other manufacturers have not done so well. Cirrus’ figures for the first three quarters of 2008 are 76, 163 and 186 respectively, compared with 144, 124 and 193 in 2007. Diamond, struggling with the Thielert issue, has sold 277 airframes so far this year as opposed to 356 in the period last year while Piper has sold 195 airframes so far this year as opposed to 166 in the same period last year.
GAMA President and CEO commented on the figures, saying “Notwithstanding these positive third quarter numbers for turbine powered aircraft deliveries, our industry is experiencing difficulties due to the weakness of the global economy.”
He added “Even as the price of fuel has declined from the debilitating high levels we saw this past summer, the uncertainty of financial markets worldwide is negatively impacting the entire aviation industry.”
