The General Aviation Manufacturers Association has released global shipment figures for General Aviation aircraft for third quarter 2010.
The GAMA figures show that in the first nine months of 2010 total GA aircraft shipments fell 14.5 per cent, from 1588 units in 2009 to 1357 units this year. Billings for GA aircraft totaled US $13.47 billion in the first nine months of this year, down 2.5 per cent on 2009.
GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce says, while overall the figures have dropped for another quarter in succession, the longer-term outlook for GA is positive.
“Our industry is coming off of a successful National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention and we are encouraged by the sales announcements and a more positive outlook overall as discretionary spending starts to pick back up on a global level,” Bunce says.
“I am especially encouraged by the resources General Aviation manufacturers are expending on the research and development of new products. Recovery indicators continue to fluctuate, but one positive indicator – the investment in new airplanes and technology – is solid. GA manufacturers are clearly looking toward the future and will be poised for a strong return when the economy fully recovers.”
Piston-powered aircraft shipments totaled 634 units for the first nine months of 2010, compared to 679 units delivered in the same period last year, a 6.6 per cent decrease. Turboprop shipments fared worse, declining 20.8 per cent from 293 units in 2009 to 232 in 2010. And business jet shipments totaled 491 units, a 20.3 per cent decrease over the 616 units delivered during the same period in 2009.
Here’s a breakdown of deliveries for quarter three 2010 by some of the major GA aircraft manufacturers, including some local faces. The bracketed number shows the figures for second quarter 2010.
And for the record, the highest shipped model for the period was again the Cirrus SR22 with 27, followed closely by the new Cirrus SR22T with 23 and the Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP with 17. To read the full GAMA third quarter 2010 shipment report click here.
Six TBM 850s were delivered in third quarter 2010. (John Absolon)
