Slow and Steady Rate of Climb

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) is an industry trade association representing the interests of general aviation aircraft manufacturers and stakeholders. The Washington, D.C.-headquartered organization seeks to foster and advance the general welfare, safety, interests, and activities of the global business and general aviation industries.

On 22 February 2023, during the association’s annual State of the Industry Press Conference, GAMA released its 2022 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report—a well-crafted lens through which the wellbeing of the general and business aviation sectors may be perspicaciously assessed.

Overall—in comparison to 2021—increases in shipments were noted across the entirety of aircraft segments. Cumulatively, 2022 preliminary deliveries were valued at $26.9-billion, a year-to-year increase of six-percent.

GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce stated: “The general aviation manufacturing industry continues to show increasing strength despite workforce and supply chain challenges across our industry. Our product development across the spectrum of fixed wing, rotorcraft, and Advanced Air Mobility vehicles is spurred by the recognition that our industry is the safety and sustainability technology incubator for global civil aviation. These safety, performance and sustainability efforts are built upon progress with lighter weight materials, new structural and wing designs, fly-by-wire control replacing heavy hydraulic systems, additive manufacturing reducing the number of parts, lighter weight and more reliable avionics, and engines and airframes that can fly on a one-hundred-percent sustainable aviation fuel blend. Of course, the impressive list of progress doesn’t even begin to touch on the revolution of electric, hybrid, and hydrogen propulsion our companies are developing. As we look towards FAA reauthorization in the U.S., we will be looking for Congress to focus the FAA on improving their processes to facilitate the certification of new technologies as well as support their validation efforts globally to deliver safety, performance, and sustainability benefits.”

Of airplane shipments, 2022 saw 1,524 new piston-engine airplanes delivered, an increase of 8.2% over 2021’s totals. Turboprop deliveries in 2022 totaled 582 aircraft, a 10.4% increase over the previous year. Business jet deliveries increased by only two units—from 2021’s total of 710 aircraft to 2022’s total of 712 aircraft. The total value of 2022 airplane deliveries was $22.9-billion—an increase of approximately 5.8% over 2021. All told, 2022 saw OEMs deliver 2,818 fixed-wing aircraft for total billings of $22.9-billion—a 5.8% increase over 2021.

Piston helicopter deliveries in 2022 totaled 194 units, an increase of 7.2% over 2021. Turbine helicopter deliveries totaled 682 units in 2022, an increase of 7.6% over the previous year. In all, 2022 saw OEMs deliver 876 rotary-wing aircraft for total billings of $4.0-billion—an increase of approximately 6.8% over 2021.

FMI: www.gama.aero, https://gama.aero/wp-content/uploads/2022ShipmentReport-0223-2023.pdf