General aviation manufacturers are effusive after 2023 set new 10-year records for aircraft shipments.
The General Aviation Manufacturers' Association (GAMA) published figures last week that showed aeroplane and helicopter deliveries combined passed the 4000-unit mark for the first time since GAMA began recording helicopter shipments in 2011.
The result came despite ongoing supply chain issues that have hampered manufacturing right across the world, leading manufacturers to reach for bottles of Veuve Clicquot.
"Compared to 2022, which was already a very successful year, Pilatus achieved a 10% increase in sales and added 6% to its operating income," Pilatus Aircraft said in a statement.
"The total number of aircraft deliveries is impressive, too: all in all, 47 PC-24s and 101 PC-12s were handed over to customers last year."
Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus Aircraft added: “These impressive results will provide the basis for a promising, successful, sustainable future.”
Pilatus grew significantly in 2023, and now has 2848 employees. In January, Pilatus announced it was taking over all machinery and 230 employees of RUAG Aerostructures Schweiz in Emmen, Switzerland, with the aim of increasing aircraft production.
Over at Wichita, Kansas, the impressive results for Cessna and Beechcraft have prompted Textron Aviation to claim leadership of several market segments.
According to Textron Aviation, they now lead the market in total jets, mid-size jets, light entry jets, business and utility turbo-props and light single pistons.
Cessna's C172SP certainly rules the single-engined trainer market, with the 180 deliveries the second-best result in the past 10 years, eclipsed only by the 240 rolled-out in 2020.
However, other claims are contentious depending on how the market is defined. For example, Cirrus' SF50 Vision Jet out-sold the Cessna M2 more than three-fold, with 96 and 25 deliveries respectively. The difference is the SF50 is a single-engined jet and the M2 is a twin.
"Legendary status is not solely defined by numbers. It is earned through consistent commitment to our customers' success,” said Ron Draper, President and CEO.
“This achievement is a result of the collective efforts of our team, leveraging the talent of our employees, the expertise of our suppliers and the partnership and feedback from our customers.”
Similarly, Brazilian jet builder Embraer also claimed the number one spot in the light jet market.
" [The] Phenom 300 series has maintained its status as the world's best-selling light jet for 12 consecutive years, while also attaining the best-selling twinjet for the fourth year running, according to data released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)," Embraer said in a statement.
"To achieve this distinction, the company delivered 63 Phenom 300 series aircraft throughout 2023."
On top of that, Embraer also delivered 11 Phenom 100EVs, but it is the larger Phenom 300 that is making the biggest mark in the delivery figures.
“The Phenom 300 series continues to demonstrate Embraer’s commitment to delivering the ultimate experience in business aviation,” said Michael Amalfitano, President and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets.
“For more than a decade, the aircraft has earned well-deserved recognition and continues to excel in terms of performance, technology, comfort, and support.
"With our ongoing dedication to our loyal customers, we will continue to develop the program based on customer feedback, industry trends, and new technologies.”
Meanwhile in Tarbes, France, Daher is popping corks over the delivery figures for the TBM and Kodiak ranges.
Daher shipped 56 of the TBM range and 18 Kodiaks in 2023, and also collected another 100 orders for delivery in 2024-25. Both were comparable with the returns in the 2022 year, when the company logged 56 and 17 shipments respectively.
"These figures reflect the market’s stabilisation as we continue to see a strong demand for TBM and Kodiak aircraft, although challenges persist in affecting our industry – including employment and supply chain issues,” said Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of Daher’s Aircraft Division.
“There have been efforts made to address these difficulties and improve the situation. We are seeing the results of our solutions in the employment field through internal training and the attraction of new talent.
"For the supply chain, the importance of delivering on time will enable us to continue seeking opportunities in a strong market.”
In further news, one of the largest internet aviation news sites AvWeb has reported that Textron has suspended the order books for the Beechcraft G36 Bonanza and G58 Baron. It is thought that either the company can't keep up with the backlog of orders, or they're looking to remove the models from the range.
Textron sold only five of each in the 2023 calendar year.