Shipment Figures hold their Ground in Q3

Deliveries of general aviation piston aircraft were stable in the third quarter of 2025 but failed to register significant growth, according to data released overnight.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) shipment report showed numbers very similar to Q3 2024, with a difference of only 0.4%.

In total, 1238 piston-engined aeroplanes and 368 single-engine turbo-props (SETP) were delivered to customers in Q3 2025, compared to 1221 and 388 respectively for Q3 2024. The single-pilot jet market increased by only four aircraft over the comparable period last year.

Results in the four-seat trainer sector were relatively even, with the C172SP, Piper PA28 and SR20 recording shipments of 48, 45 and 42 respectively. The Skyhawk numbers were exactly the same as Q3 last year, whereas the PA28 was up 32% and the SR22 up 17%. What dragged down the sector result was the Diamond DA40, of which only five deliveries were reported. The Q3 average for this model across the previous four third quarters has been 27 aircraft. 

Cirrus' all-conquering SR22/T still dominated the high-speed singles, albeit with shipment figures that were down 2% on last year. The 136 shipments easily eclipsed the second-placed C182T range, which recorded an upward swing of 82% with 24 aircraft delivered. Oddly, Diamond's other big single, the DA50 also didn't come to the party, recording only three shipments, which was down 73% on last year.

Piston twins had a good quarter, with the range of models Australian Flying tracks up 10 shipments over Q3 2025. Diamond's DA62 led the pack with 21 deliveries, up 31% over last year. Piper's Seminole had its best three-month period since before COVID, with Vero Beach rolling out 11 aircraft, a 38% boost over Q3 2024.

It was a dead-heat for line honours in the SETP sector, shared by Cessna's Caravan series and Pilatus PC-12, both of which recorded 20 shipments. Piper's M series was hot on their heels with 18. Epic impressed with a strong quarter, increasing the quarterly shipments of the G1000 86% from 8 to 11.

As previously noted, the single-pilot jet market was flat compared with last year. Cirrus SF50 Vision starred with 27 shipments, up 42% on last year. Deliveries of all other types were down, except for Embraer's Phenom range, which out-scored last year by just a single aircraft.

Major Aircraft Shipments Q3 2025