Report Remains Mixed, Business Jets Strong 

GAMA on Thursday published the second quarter 2014 general aviation aircraft shipment report. Industry airplane shipments increased 4.8 percent to 1,110 units while airplane billings rose to $10.9 billion, up 4.5 percent. GAMA also released quarterly shipment data for rotorcraft manufacturers for the first time.

"Deliveries of turboprops this quarter were flat, but the encouraging numbers in the piston airplane and business jet segments drive the industry's optimism about global general aviation growth. Here at Oshkosh, enthusiasm toward the light airplane industry is clearly palpable," said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. "However, there is still a great deal of work that remains to make this recovery sustainable over the long term. This includes streamlining certification processes around the globe for both new production and equipage of safety-enhancing technology in the existing fleet. In the United States, we need the leaders of the Department of Transportation to put high priority on their rulemaking processes to meet the December 2015 Congressionally mandated deadline for full implementation of the Small Airplane Revitalization Act that the FAA Administrator has publicly stated will improve general aviation safety."

"Reauthorizing the U.S. Export-Import Bank is also critical to keeping the industry moving forward and ensuring a level playing field for all general aviation manufacturers worldwide. We are encouraged by legislation being introduced today by a bipartisan group of Senators, led by Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), to reauthorize the Bank for five years, which will provide businesses with the certainty and predictability in financing they need as they plan their production schedules and future hiring for 2015 and beyond," Bunce said.

GAMA began publishing annual rotorcraft shipment data several years ago and the association's website provides this historical data. The rotorcraft manufacturers delivered 409 combined piston and turbine helicopters during the first six months of 2014. The billing figure for the rotorcraft shipments was $1.2 billion. "This additional fidelity about rotorcraft manufacturers will help us better tell the economic impact story of this important segment of GA," said Bunce.

FIRST SIX MONTHS OF SHIPMENTS OF AIRPLANES MANUFACTURED WORLDWIDE 

FMI: www.gama.aero