22 February 2018
Sales of new piston-engine aircraft were up 6.5% in 2017 over the previous year, according to figures released yesterday by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
Overall, general aviation aircraft deliveries were up 2.5% year on year, although the value of those aircraft, known as ‘billings’, declined slightly, by 4.2% to $20.2 billion.
The helicopter market is starting to recover after a years in the doldrums and worldwide rotorcraft shipments rose 7.5%. Rotorcraft billings increased by 1.4%, to $3.7 billion in 2017.
The business jet sector also recovered a little, growing by 1.3%, rising from 667 to 676 units. Driving this growth are the several new aircraft models that entered into service in 2017, said GAMA.
Turboprop deliveries slowed to 563 aircraft, compared to 582 deliveries in 2016, a 3.3% decline.
“The 2017 year-end results were encouraging, especially with the delivery growth we saw in the business jet, piston airplane and rotorcraft segments,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce.
“Looking ahead, we’re optimistic given some very positive economic indicators, stabilization in the used business aircraft market, new manufacturing techniques spurred by additive manufacturing, and innovative aerospace technologies driving urban air mobility platforms, electric and hybrid propulsion, unmanned aerial vehicles and commercial space.”
Cirrus Aircraft had another good year – it’s fourth in a row where sales have grown – selling 350+ SR piston aircraft in 2017, and 25 of the new Vision Jet.
| Segment | 2016 | 2017 | Change |
| Piston Airplanes | 1,019 | 1,085 | +6.5% |
| Turboprops | 582 | 563 | -3.3% |
| Business Jets | 667 | 676 | +1.3% |
| Total Airplane Units | 2,268 | 2,324 | +2.5% |
| Total Airplane Billings | $21.1B | $20.2B | -4.2% |
| Piston Rotorcraft | 224 | 264 | +17.9% |
| Turbine Rotorcraft(*) | 637 | 662 | +3.9% |
| Total Rotorcraft Units | 861 | 926 | +7.5% |
| Total Rotorcraft Billings | $3.6B | $3.7B | +1.4% |
