The General Aviation Manufacturers Association has released global shipment figures for General Aviation aircraft for second quarter 2010.
The GAMA figures show that in the first half of 2010 total GA aircraft shipments fell 9.8 per cent, from 1039 units in 2009 to 937 units this year. Billings for GA aircraft totalled US$9.40 billion in the second quarter of 2010, an increse 0.2 per cent from 2009 figures. This is the second consecutive quarter that industry billings have risen.
Piston-powered aircraft shipments totaled 425 units compared to 434 units delivered in the first half of 2009, a 2.1 per cent decrease. Turboprop shipments declined 17.8 per cent from 191 units in the first six months last year to 157 units in 2010. Business jet shipments totaled 355 units, a 14.3 per cent decrease over the 414 units delivered during this same period in 2009.
However, comparing first quarter and second quarter figures for this year paints a more promising picture. 259 piston-powered aircraft were delivered in quarter two compared to 148 in quarter one; 97 turboprops compared to 60 in quarter one; and 191 business jets compared to 164 in quarter one. In total, 547 GA aircraft were shipped in quarter two compared to 390 in quarter one.
“As General Aviation manufacturers continue looking towards recovery from the economic downturn, it remains critical that pro-growth, pro-manufacturing policies like bonus depreciation that promote aircraft purchases and stimulate job creation be put in place,” GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce said. “As the global economic recovery picks up steam, markets outside of North America continue to hold promise for renewed growth in our industry.”
Undoubtedly, one of those main markets outside of North America would be the Asia Pacific. The region, which includes Australia and New Zealand, has for some time been earmarked for significant aviation growth across the board and we’ve already seen the likes of Piper and Hawker Beechcraft announce plans to further increase their presence here.
Here’s a breakdown of deliveries for quarter two 2010 by some of the major GA aircraft manufacturers, including some local faces. The bracketed number shows the figures for first quarter 2010.
And for the record, the highest shipped model for the period was the Cirrus SR22 with 63, followed by Cessna’s 172S Skyhawk SP (40) and Embraer’s Phenom 100 personal jet (35). Here's hoping that all of this is indicative of market confidence returning following the GFC. To read the full GAMA second quarter 2010 shipment report click here.
The American Champion Aircraft Super Decathlon. (John Absolon)
