US general aviation manufacturers have reported a 62% increase in sales for the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year, according to figures from the US General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
A total of 956 aircraft were shipped in the first half, to the end of June, compared with 591 in 1997, with aircraft billings rising by over 20% to $2.4 billion.
"Strong demand for piston-engine aircraft and continued strength in the jet and turboprop markets has boosted the overall shipment totals," says GAMA.
Deliveries of piston aircraft nearly doubled, to 672 units, while jet deliveries rose by over 20% to 173 units. Turboprop shipments also climbed, to 111 - a rise of more than 12% over 1998.
"These numbers are remarkable," says GAMA president Ed Bolan. "We have already delivered more piston aircraft in the first six months of this year than we delivered in all of 1996."
Export shipments rose 36% to 251 units and billings totalling $642 million.
Source: Flight International
