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The Light Aircraft Sector Shines

In 2022, the light sport and kitbuilt markets showed steady sales.

[Credit: Jim Barrett]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Despite significant global challenges in 2022, including war and economic instability, the U.S. light aircraft market demonstrated remarkable resilience and robust growth, with overall registrations increasing by 18 percent year-over-year and surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
  • This growth was fueled by strong performance across categories, notably a 44% surge in Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (ELSA) registrations, alongside solid gains in Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) and kit-built segments.
  • Van's Aircraft's RV-12 series was the best-selling light aircraft model, with ICON's A5 leading ready-to-fly SLSA and Zenith dominating kit aircraft sales, fostering an optimistic outlook for continued industry growth into 2023 and beyond.
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The year started with hope. As 2022 arrived, the U.S. and most countries were emerging from two years of difficult lockdowns. The good news? A flood of subsidy money buoyed markets—and I’ve long observed that when equities are rising, light sport and sport pilot-eligible kit aircraft sell well. Economists call this a “wealth effect,” where rising asset values give stockholders confidence that good times are here. Aviation translation: Pilots can afford an airplane to have fun.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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