But Total General Aviation Market Remains Contracted In The
Second Quarter
On August 4th, GAMA
released the industry's second quarter shipment and billings
figures. Piston-powered airplane shipments totaled 434 units while
turboprop shipments were at 191 units. Both figures represent
significant declines from the same period last year.
Even with the pressure on the current general aviation new
aircraft market, Cirrus Aircraft saw significant share growth on a
substantial rise in airplane deliveries in the second quarter
versus the first quarter. "While the overall market remains very
challenging and is at significantly contracted levels versus a year
ago, we saw several bright spots in the second quarter GAMA
delivery data" said Todd Simmons, Vice President of Marketing at
Cirrus. "We have made substantial product improvements across our
product line, SR20, SR22 and TURBO, in just the last 12 months.
With this latest industry delivery information, the market is
clearly showing its preference for new Cirrus Aircraft."
"The list of upgrades and new offerings that are driving growth
include Flight Into Known Icing protection for SR22 and SR22 TURBO
models, a comprehensive new design for this class of
aircraft; the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin avionics platform - the
most advanced, capable and feature-rich panel available in the
market today and available on all three Cirrus models; and "X" and
"Xi" upgrade editions that allow customers to personalize a new
Cirrus to their exclusive and individualized tastes." Simmons
noted.
In the second quarter of '09, Cirrus shipped 82 aircraft, an
increase of 43 aircraft over the last quarter deliveries or 210%
growth on a quarterly basis. Total Single Engine Piston (SEP)
market deliveries by all manufacturers were up at a lower rate of
145%. Cirrus increased its market share leadership from 51% in the
first quarter to 64% in the second quarter of 09 for all SR22
comparable aircraft.
As of the second quarter, Cirrus Aircraft delivers SR22 model
aircraft (normally aspirated and turbo) at a rate of over
three-to-one over the next closest all-metal competitor in the
category and over four-to-one when compared to the next closest
all-composite aircraft in the category. The Cirrus Aircraft SR22
(normally aspirated and turbo) remains the best-selling model of
SEP airplane for the seventh year in a row.
In the quarter, Cirrus Aircraft averaged nearly 30 aircraft
deliveries per month, shipped the most Single Engine Piston
airplanes worldwide, and increased its market share position by
more than ten percentage points over the first quarter in the
Single Engine Piston category.
GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce noted early signs of recovery
for the larger industry. "We are encouraged that the overall
economic picture is showing some signs of improvement, which is a
crucial condition for recovery in the general aviation market.
Flight hours are stabilizing, used inventories are beginning to
shrink, and our manufacturers are seeing signs of renewed interest
in airplane purchases. We are also encouraged by reports that
accelerated depreciation, passed by Congress earlier this year, is
stimulating some new orders. Even though it is too early to
distinguish these indications as a trend, we are hopeful that this
momentum will continue through the second half of the year."
More specific to Cirrus Aircraft, Simmons concluded, "Without
question our product enhancements for new aircraft and very robust
activity in our pre-owned business are moving the needle for
Cirrus"