The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today published its first quarter 2019 aircraft shipment and billings report. Results showed increases across the airplane segments of the industry, but a slowdown in rotorcraft shipments compared to the first quarter of 2018.
“While our rotorcraft segment experienced some headwinds, our airplane segment remains strong,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “Statements by our member companies point to solid order intakes during the first quarter, laying down a positive marker for later in 2019.”
The piston airplane market led the increase in deliveries at 248 units, a 24.0% increase from the same period in 2018. Turboprop and business shipments also increased year-over-year, at 7.0% and 6.8% respectively. Piston rotorcraft shipments in the first quarter of 2019 were 66 units, compared to 77 units in 2018. There were 104 turbine rotorcraft shipments in the first quarter of 2019, compared to 134 in the first quarter last year.
| Segment | 2018 | 2019 | Change |
| Piston Airplanes | 200 | 248 | +24.0% |
| Turboprop Airplanes | 115 | 123 | +7.0% |
| Business Jets | 132 | 141 | +6.8% |
| Total Airplane Shipments | 447 | 512 | +14.5% |
| Total Airplane Billings | $3.83B | $4.24B | +10.5% |
| Piston Rotorcraft | 77 | 66 | -14.3% |
| Turbine Rotorcraft | 134 | 104 | -22.4% |
| Total Rotorcraft Shipments | 211 | 170 | -19.4% |
| Total Rotorcraft Billings | $0.60B | $0.51B | -15.1% |
