• The Skyhawk SP is a 180-hp version of the C172. (Textron Aviation)
    The Skyhawk SP is a 180-hp version of the C172. (Textron Aviation)
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The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has released the aircraft shipment figures for the second quarter of 2017, with the data showing piston aircraft were the big improvers.

Piston engine deliveries were up 5.6% over the same quarter in 2016, with 468 aeroplanes sent to customers compared with the 443 of last year.

In the four-seat small single market, most models showed increased sales over last year. The Cessna Skyhawk SP led the way with 31 aircraft sold (up 55%), followed by the great improver, Piper's Archer III, which recorded 12 aircraft for the quarter (up 200%). Only Tecnam's P2010 was down, with the three aircraft dispatched representing a 50% decline in demand.

Cirrus' SR20 had a bumper quarter with 12 aircraft the best quarterly result since Q2 2014. This may reflect enthusiasm for the new high-powered G6 model.

Large single shipments were down for the quarter, with the Cirrus SR22/T still holding court over the others in the sector despite a result 12% down over last year. The 80 aeroplanes dispatched nearly quadrupled the figures achieved by all others in the category combined. The next nearest is the C182T with 11 shipments.

Twin pistons showed a good result in Q2, but credit is solely to the new-age composite aircraft such as the Diamond DA42 (14) and DA62 (12) and the Tecnam P2006T (10). By contrast, only three G58 Barons and two Piper Seminoles were shipped, with the Seneca V failing to get on the scoreboard at all.

And the single-engine turbo-prop market was shaken up with the Piper M600 announcing its arrival and immediately throwing down the gauntlet to the traditonal masters. The 16 aircraft shipped eclipsed the Cessna Caravan's 14 and is hot on the heels of the market-leading Pilatus PC-12 (19) and DAHER TBM 900 series (15).

After scooping the single-pilot jet category in Q1 2017, Honda's HA420 slipped back in the back slightly with nine aircraft shipped. Cirrus SF50 Vision made its first appearance on the charts, with two aircraft shipped. The single-engine design is likely to make a greater splash once production gets into full swing.

Major Aircraft Shipments

Aircraft Q2 2017 Q2 2016 Change
Piper Warrior III 0 0 -
Cessna C172SP 31 20 55%
Piper Archer III 12 4 200%
Diamond DA40 17 13 31%
Cirrus SR20 12 5 140%
Tecnam P2010 3 6 -50%
       
Cessna C182T 11 5 -
Beech G36 Bonanza 3 4 -25%
Cirrus SR22/T 80 91 -12%
Cessna TTx 7 7 0%
Piper M350/Matrix 2 7 -71%
Mooney Ovation/Acclaim 0 2 -100%
       
Beech G58 Baron 3 4 -25%
Piper Seminole 2 4 -50%
Piper Seneca V 0 1 -100%
Diamond DA42 14 14 0%
Tecnam P2006T 10 8 25%
Diamond DA62 12 11 -
       
Cessna Caravan Series 14 20 -30%
Quest Kodiak 100 8 11 -27%
Pilatus PC12 19 22 -14%
DAHER TBM 900/910/930 16 13 23%
PAC 750XL 0 2 -100%
Piper Meridian/M500/M600 15 6 150%
       
Cessna Mustang & M2 12 15 -20%
Eclipse 550 1 1 0%
Embraer Phenom 100 & 300 16 23 -30%
Honda HA420 9 7 29%
Cirrus SF50 Vision 2 - -
       
Cessna T206H 8 6 33%
GippsAero Airvan 8 2 3 -33%
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