GA Shipment Figures point to Ongoing Recovery

General aviation aircraft shipments are up 6.7% over the first three quarters of 2022 when compared with the same period last year, showing that the industry is making good progess in its efforts to return to pre-pandemic levels.

The shipment results released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) over the weekend revealed that piston aeroplanes were up 8.8% and turbo-props 7.3%. A modest result of 1.8% for business jets brought down the average growth figure.

The total value of the new aeroplane market so far this year is $US 14.1 billion, up 4.8% on 2022.

"Demand for general aviation aircraft remains hardy as our industry continues to strategically navigate ongoing challenges, which include issues with supply chain and workforce shortages within our industry and within global regulatory authorities," said GAMA President and CEO, Pete Bunce.

"Deliveries are converging on, and in some cases surpassing, the levels we were experiencing prior to the pandemic, which is a testament to the strength of our industry and the importance and utility of general and business aviation."

Aircraft shipments for the third quarter of 2022 showed an increase of 4.2% across all sectors and were punctuated with some stand-out results, particularly from the Daher TBM 900 series, which recorded its best result since reporting began in 2015 and the Diamond DA62.

The story in the four-seat trainer market was much the same as with the Cessna 172SP leading the way with 56 airframes dispatched to customers against 38 SR20s and 25 DA40s. Pipers Pilot 100 and Archer III struggled to keep up, with only eight and 19 aircraft rolled-out. The results across the first three quarters of 2022 have been consistent for Vero Beach as they continue to battle in a tough market.

It's almost a laid-down misere that Cirrus SR22/T will lead the large piston single sector, and with 94 of the type sent to customers compared to the 12 C182Ts of the nearest competitor, it is clear that Duluth is putting more daylight between itself and second place with almost every quarter. Diamond's new DA50 has been touted as the next big thing in the sector, but with only six aircraft shipped for Q3, it has a long way to go to get Cirrus management worried.

The only stand-out in the piston twin market was Diamond's big DA62. The 13 deliveries reported was almost half of the entire sector for the quarter. Supported with seven DA42s, Diamond accounted for 20 of the 28 twins shipped. Once again, the traditional metal-clad Beechcraft Baron and Piper Seneca did not score.

At Daher, management will be strutting this week as the company reported 24 of the TBM 900 series shipped. The result is the best single quarter for the single-engine turbo-prop since Daher began reporting to GAMA in 2015. To put it into perspective, the customary rivals for the sector lead, the Cessna Caravan and Pilatus PC-12, recorded 13 airframes each. Piper's M500/M600 was down 29% with only 10 aircraft delivered.

Although Cirrus recorded no growth for the SF50 Vision Jet when comparing Q3 2022 to Q3 2021, shipping 23 airframes for both years, they continue to lead the single-pilot jet market. Embraer followed behind with 15 Phenom 100/300, 12 of which were 300Es and HondaJet was very flat, with the three HA420s reported a decline of 67% over Q3 2021.

Perhaps the most startling result was the 10 examples of the Cessna T206H sent to customers. Although that represents an increase of 900% over the single airframe dispatched last year, it is only slightly above the average quarterly results for the big high-wing. Clearly, Q3 2021 was not one of the T206H's better results.

Major Aircraft Shipments