World-wide delivery figures for 2012 released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) show good growth for both turbo-prop aeroplanes and helicopters.
A total of 580 turbo-prop aircraft were manufactured in 2012, an increase of 10.3% over the 526 recorded in 2011.Conversely, piston-engined aeroplanes were down 2% to 881, and business jets were down 3.4% to 672.
The big mover of the year was the helicopter segment, which recorded a growth of 21.5%, with shipments of 1044 machines world-wide.
According to GAMA Chairman Brad Mottier, the figures are a bit misleading when it comes to analysing the health of the industry.
“While the 2012 shipment and billing data were mixed, the numbers don’t reflect the amount of development work in progress in general aviation,” he commented. “The general aviation segment is poised for resurgence in the next few years as these new technologies certify and enter the market.”
The total value of aeroplanes shipped world-wide by GAMA members was $US18.9 billion, with helicopter manufacturers banking $US3.4 billion for their 2012.
The figures:
| AEROPLANES |
2011
|
2012
|
CHANGE
|
| Piston |
898
|
881
|
-1.9%
|
| Turboprops |
526
|
580
|
+10.3%
|
| Business Jets |
696
|
672
|
-3.4%
|
| Total Shipments | 2,120 |
2,133
|
+0.6% |
| Total Billings | $19.0B | $18.9B | -0.9% |
|
|
|||
| HELICOPTERS |
2011
|
2012
|
CHANGE
|
| Piston |
268
|
328
|
+22.4%
|
| Single Engine Turbine |
407
|
502
|
+23.3%
|
| Multi Engine Turbine |
184
|
214
|
+16.3%
|
| Total Shipments | 859 |
1,044
|
+21.5% |
| Total Billings | $2.8B | $3.4B | +21.0% |