Shipments and billings decline in ’09
With worldwide shipments and billings of general aviation airplanes down in all categories in 2009, the global economic downturn led to one of the toughest

With worldwide shipments and billings of general aviation airplanes down in all categories in 2009, the global economic downturn led to one of the toughest years ever for general aviation manufacturers. But General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) chairman Rob Wilson said that a “mixed scorecard” of recovery indicators suggests the GA industry is “well positioned for growth.

“The inventory of used aircraft has peaked and is now declining, flying hours are on the rise and inquiries for new orders are beginning to grow again,” he told attendees at GAMA’s annual industry review and market outlook briefing in Washington last month. He added that last year also showed that the fastest expanding markets were again outside North America, illustrating worldwide recognition of the importance of general aviation to conducting business in a global economy.