At a time when most North American on-demand, air-charter carriers and charter brokers are seeing a 25 percent decline in their business, for the second quarter, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association reported a 24.1 percent increase over the first half of last year in general aviation shipments. The record continued a record pace during the second quarter when deliveries totaled $12.1 billion.
Cessna delivered 15 Mustangs in the first quarter and another 19 in the second quarter. Eclipse, the only other VLJ currently on the market, delivered 112 in the first half for total billings of $142 million. Eclipse delivered 52 in the first quarter and 60 in the second.
"Shipments in the business jet and turboprop segments continue to rise steadily,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “Expanding worldwide markets are having a very positive affect on the turbine segments of our industry.
“Although total shipments in the piston segment are down for the first half of 2008, we believe the recent success of Oshkosh is a good indicator of sustained enthusiasm for the light end of the market,” said Bunce. “The Experimental Aircraft Association reported that attendance at AirVenture held steady. Despite uncertainty with fuel prices and strength of the North American economy, the energy surrounding the entire spectrum of general aviation remains robust. Our piston manufacturers continue to generate excitement through new product introductions that incorporate innovative technologies and are paying increased attention to growth opportunities in the international market.”
Piston-powered airplane shipments totaled 1,034 units compared to 1226 units delivered in the first half of 2007, a 15.7 percent decrease. Turboprop shipments increased from 186 units in the first half last year to 222 units in 2008. Business jet shipments totaled 663 units in the first half of 2008, a 39.3 percent increase over the 476 units delivered in the second quarter of 2007.