US general aviation manufacturers delivered more than 2,500 aircraft last year, almost 14% more than in 1998. Similar or better growth is projected for this year, says the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
The value of the aircraft shipped by GAMA member companies rose by over 35% last year, to a record $7.9 billion. Billings passed $3 billion for the first time just three years ago, notes GAMA president Ed Bolen.
Shipments totalled 2,525 aircraft, of which 1,747 were piston-powered (up 13.9%), 514 were business jets (up 29.9%) and 264 were turboprops (down 2.6%). The number of aircraft exported rose by 5%, to 562, while their value rose by almost 53% to account for 27.3% of total billings.
Other measures of the US general aviation industry's health also improved last year: the number of corporate flight departments expanded by 6.6%; companies owning fractional aircraft shares soared 50%; charter operations jumped by over 20%; general aviation flying activity increased by 3-4%; student pilot starts rose by 14%; and GAMA member employment grew by 7.6%.
Source: Flight International
