GAMA Figures show Mixed Shipment Result

Aircraft deliveries figures released for the second quarter of 2016 show a decrease in the year-to-date shipments compared with 2015, but an increase over the first quarter of the year.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) report released last Friday shows a total of 970 GA aircraft delivered for year-to-date (YTD) 2016, compared with the 1016 of YTD 2015, a decrease of 4.5%.

“In a challenging global climate, every segment of the fixed-wing and rotorcraft market showed declines for the first half of 2016,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said.

“As we saw at AirVenture last week, general aviation manufacturers are working hard to regain momentum by delivering innovative new products and technologies that enhance safety and provide substantial improvement in capability."

According to Bunce, US lawmakers missed an opportunity to revitalise GA when certification reform was not included in recent legislation passed through congress.

“Unfortunately, the US Congress has not done its part to support aircraft manufacturers or maintenance, repair and overhaul companies through its collective failure to include reforms of the outdated and overly prescriptive certification processes in the recently passed FAA extension," he said.

The Q2 2016 delivery figures showed an improvement over Q1 2016, with the 548 aircraft sold representing a nearly 30% increase over the 422 of the first quarter.

Of the most common types, the Cirrus SR22/T continues to be the piston single of choice, with 91 aeroplanes delivered to customers in Q2016, a 42% increase over the same period last year.

In the piston twin market, Diamond's DA42 and DA62 continues to lead the market, even though shipments of the 42 are down 30% over last year. Deliveries of the larger DA62 grew substantially in Q2, with 11 aircraft sold against three recorded for Q1.

Pilatus' PC-12 is holding its position as the market leader for single-engine turbo-props (SETP), and the Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 collectively top the table for single-pilot business jets.

Major Shipments