The General Aviation Manufacturers Association published its Third Quarter 2022 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report. The aircraft manufacturing industry’s results for the first nine months of 2022, when compared to the same period in 2021, point to increasing aircraft deliveries across all segments along with an increase in the overall value of the aircraft shipments.

“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 Pete Bunce, President and CEO, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). “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.

“As we look to the future, we must focus attention on the need for training of the regulator workforce and leveraging of bi-lateral safety agreements between regulatory bodies to improve both certification and validation processes,” continued Bunce. “At the same time our industry will continue to foster the momentum we have created on addressing environmental issues, which includes advancing technology that improves efficiencies of aircraft and operations; supporting the production, distribution and uptake of SAF.”

Aircraft shipments through the third quarter of 2022, when compared to the same period in 2021, saw piston airplane increase 8.8 per cent with 1,012 units, turboprops increase 7.3 per cent with 383 units, and business jet shipments increase 1.8 per cent with 446 units. The value of airplane deliveries through the third quarter of 2022 was US$14.1 billion, an increase of approximately 4.8 per cent.

Helicopter shipments through the third quarter of 2022 were up when compared to the same period in 2021; piston helicopter deliveries increased 3.8 per cent with 137 units, and turbine helicopter deliveries increased 7.1 per cent with 439 units.

Looking at helicopter manufacturers, GAMA reports the following year to date aircraft deliveries (listed alphabetically): Airbus 177, including 71 in the most recent third quarter; Bell 108, 49 in third quarter; Enstrom 0; Guimbal 18, 9 in third quarter; KAMAN 1, 0 in third quarter; Leonardo 77, 34 in third quarter; Robinson 188, 66 in third quarter; Schweizer RSG 5, 2 in third quarter; Sikorsky 2 civil aircraft, 0 in third quarter. Sikorsky had 62 year to date military deliveries, all Black Hawks, with 20 in third quarter. Bell also had 19 total military aircraft – H-1 and V-22 – deliveries year to date.

(Image: GAMA)