GAMA Shipment Report Shows GA Growth

According to the report, the first half of 2012 saw an increase in total billings for the industry of 13.2 percent compared with the same period last year. “When coupled with the positive trend we are seeing in the used market, we may finally be witnessing the start of our recovery,” said GAMA’s president and CEO, Pete Bunce.

While piston deliveries are still on a slight downtrend, with a 1.6 percent drop, business jet and turboprop producers saw promising growth over the same time period. The greatest growth was gained by business jet manufacturers, which saw an increase in deliveries of 13.1 percent. Turboprop producers also saw significant growth with a 10.5 percent increase.

All told the total number of shipments increased by 5.9 percent. The higher growth realized in airplanes of higher value accounts for the much greater increase in total billings. Last year saw an increase in total billings of 0.4 percent over 2010 despite a total decline in deliveries of 3.5 percent, according to GAMA's 2011 General Aviation Statistical Databook and Industry Outlook. With such a strong first half, the number s for 2012 look a lot more promising.