First-quarter delivery numbers released last month by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) show a healthy and continued growth trend in both the jet and turboprop sectors. Overall, the manufacturers delivered 16 percent more aircraft in the first three months of this year than they did in the same period last year. Turboprops saw the biggest jump, with 30 percent more aircraft rolling out the door, compared with an increase of almost 12 percent for jets.
In all, 288 turbine aircraft were delivered between January 1 and March 31, compared with 247 in the same period last year. Turboprop deliveries increased to 77 this year from 59 in the first quarter of last year. Total aircraft shipments worldwide, however, were down slightly, to 842, due to weak demand for piston aircraft, compared with 847 in the same period last year. Total billings were strong, though, up 11.3 percent to $4.5 billion.
