Piston Shipments Down 4.2 Percent; Other Segs Up

Last week, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced airplane shipments and billings for the first half of 2007 at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual AirVenture.

In the first half of 2007, shipments of general aviation airplanes totaled 1,883 units, a 1.7 percent increase over the same period last year, with industry billings rising 11.7 percent to $9.8 billion.

"The innovative technologies that our manufacturers are showcasing at premier events like AirVenture have a direct correlation with making flying easier and safer," said Pete Bunce, GAMA’s President and CEO. “General aviation manufacturers are committed to creating a renewed interest in flying through the introduction of products that will spur more people worldwide to experience the exhilaration of flight."

GAMA notes that, following a string of impressive increases, shipments of piston-engine powered airplanes through the second quarter of 2007 were down slightly from the same period last year to 1,226 units, a 4.2 percent decrease. Turboprop shipments rose 15.2 percent from 158 units in 2006 to 182 units in 2007.

The business jet market segment grew by 14.7 percent with an increase in shipments from 414 units in the first half of 2006 to 475 units in the first half of 2007.

GAMA represents 60 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation aircraft, engines, avionics and related equipment. GAMA's members also operate fleets of aircraft, fixed based operations, and pilot training and maintenance training facilities.

FMI: www.gama.aero