Last year was a good one for general aviation manufacturers. According to the airframers’ trade association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), global airplane shipments increased 4.7 percent in 2018, to 2443. Billings—what you and I pay for a new aircraft—increased 1.5 percent, from $20.2 billion to $20.6 billion. Meanwhile, worldwide rotorcraft shipments also rose—by 5.4 percent—from 926 to 976 units. The only disappointment in the year-end was that rotorcraft billings decreased slightly, by 0.7 percent, possibly reflecting growing demand for less-expensive training helicopters.
Notable from this data is that piston airplane deliveries increased by 5.0 percent, to 1139 units. Turboprop airplane shipments also increased, to 601 units. Business jet deliveries improved, from 677 to 703 units. There were 281 piston rotorcraft deliveries compared to 264 in 2017. Preliminary turbine rotorcraft delivery data shows a 5.0 percent increase, to 695 shipments. (GAMA cautions that fourth-quarter 2018 numbers from Italy’s Leonardo Helicopters were not available at their deadline—the final rotorcraft numbers could change.)
