Association Focuses On 'The Opportunities And Goals That Lie Ahead'

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has released the 2012 year-end shipments of general aviation airplanes.

GAMA also expanded the data to include delivery data for helicopter manufacturers. Most general aviation aircraft flying in the world today were built by GAMA member companies.
 
"While the 2012 shipment and billing data were mixed, the numbers don't reflect the amount of development work in progress in general aviation," said Brad Mottier, 2013 GAMA Chairman. "The general aviation segment is poised for resurgence in the next few years as these new technologies certify and enter the market."
 
"The GAMA committees will focus on lowering the barriers in general aviation to enable advanced technologies to more easily enter service and help improve safety," said Mottier. "GAMA will also continue to expand the association throughout the general aviation industry as well as internationally."
 
"2012 saw an expansion of the GAMA membership to the agricultural airplane segment and helicopter manufacturers," said GAMA's President and CEO Pete Bunce.

"The data that we are publishing today reflects deliveries through the full breadth of certified general aviation manufacturing and the significant impact our industry has in creating more jobs and boosting the global economy. The current economic challenges and changing market dynamics have broad implications for the industry. That is why we have an aggressive agenda for 2013 that is aimed at increasing government effectiveness, advancing policies that strengthen general aviation, and raising general aviation safety levels worldwide."

Turboprop airplanes ended the year positive at 580 deliveries compared to 526 in 2011. The piston engine segment declined slightly to 881 units which is a decline of 1.9 percent. Business jet shipments also declined from 696 to 672 units.
 
GAMA represents over 80 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation airplanes and rotorcraft, engines, avionics, components and related services. GAMA's members also operate repair stations, fixed based operations, pilot and maintenance training facilities and they manage fleets of aircraft. GAMA fosters and advances the welfare, safety, and interests of general aviation by working with governments and the industry to promote a better understanding of the important role general aviation plays worldwide in economic growth and development. GAMA is headquartered in Washington, DC, with a European office in Brussels, Belgium.

FMI: www.GAMA.aero