General Aviation aircraft deliveries for the first half of 2012 are 6% up on the same period in 2011, prompting the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) to start talking about an industry recovery.
Total shipments including business jets was 918 worldwide compared with 867 for the previous year.
GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce was positive in his evaluation of the figures.
"We are starting to see positive signs in the 2012 shipment data," he said. "When coupled with the positive trend we are seeing in the used market, we may finally be witnessing the start of our recovery. However, significant impediments remain in our member companies' ability to bring new, innovative and safety enhancing products to our customers.
"While we have seen positive steps by FAA's leadership to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the certification process, much work remains to be done to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by improving and emerging markets."
Piston-engine deliveries actually declined slightly, being 1.6% down on 2011, whereas turbine-powered aircraft leapt 10.5%. Single-engine turbo-props (SETP) deliveries were 136 for the second quarter 2012, a 27% increase over the first quarter results of 107. This is not surprising in view of the industry trend toward SETPs for short-haul and charter work.
Other significant results second-quarter 2012 results were:
- C172S SP 29 (first quarter 11)
- C182T 12 (9)
- C208B Grand Caravan 21 (12)
- SR20 15 (19)
- SR22T 27 (13)
- GA8 Airvan 4 (6)
- G36 Bonanza 2 (4)
- Piper Meridian 9 (6)
- Quest Kodiak 4 (2)
- TBM 850 11 (5)
- Pilatus PC12 14 (5)