[Avionics Today 11-04-2014] The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has released the 2014 third quarter General Aviation (GA) aircraft shipment report, with signs the industry is recovering. Total worldwide GA airplane shipments increased 5.7 percent to 1,678, and billings rose to $16 billion, up 4 percent when compared to the same period last year.
Piston-engine airplane shipments increased 9.2 percent to 806 units in the first nine months of 2014 and business jet shipments were up over last year, from 421 units to 460 units. But it wasn’t all good news, turboprop airplane shipments were down 3.7 percent this year, reflecting the challenges the industry is still facing.
“The optimism about the general aviation market on display at NBAA’s convention last week is reflected in the continued recovery of the business jet and piston-engine segments this quarter. New products are helping to fuel our industry’s continued growth as we continue to emerge from the recession,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce, who continued on to encourage tax incentives from Congress, which help spur the GA industry.