GAMA Reports Year-Over-Year Increase in Aircraft Shipments In a 'Governed' Recovery

With three years of measured improvement, the general aviation industry tracked well to plan in 2022, navigating issues of workforce, regulatory slowdowns, and ongoing supply chain constraints.

Julie Boatman

Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 05:50 PM ET

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The Pilatus PC-12 model was the most-delivered single-engine turboprop for 2022, shown in its completion phase at Pilatus Business Aircraft in Colorado. [Credit: Glenn Watson]

Key Takeaways:

General aviation aircraft deliveries showed strong recovery in 2022, nearing 2019 levels with increased unit shipments and billings across all aircraft types, reflecting a significant evolution towards more capable and valuable modern aircraft compared to past decades.
Despite growth, the industry faces persistent systemic challenges, including ongoing workforce shortages and supply chain disruptions impacting production and efficiency.
Significant concerns exist regarding FAA delays in leadership, rulemaking, and certification processes, alongside challenges in the transition to unleaded avgas, where premature local bans on leaded fuel are seen as detrimental to coordinated industry-wide efforts and could threaten airport viability.

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Workforce. Supply chain. Innovation to a sustainable future.

The themes at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association 2023 State of the Industry press conference echoed almost precisely those of the past three years. But it was served with a bright lemon twist, as deliveries indicate a recovery to near 2019 levels for turbine, turboprop, and piston aircraft serving business and personal aviation.