Last year was a very good year for GA. That’s the word from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), which just released its 2004 numbers.
Industry billings totaled $11.9 billion, the third highest ever and a 19.1% increase above 2003 billings. Total number of airplanes shipped in 2004 increased to 2,963, a 10.3% increase over last year.
“Bonus depreciation, coupled with the continuing growth of the U.S. economy, helped make 2004 a turning point for our industry,” said James Schuster, GAMA’s chairman. “The fact that total shipments increased indicates that this turnaround is broadly based. GAMA member companies believe this bodes well for the future of general aviation.”
Shipments of piston-powered airplanes increased by 155 units to 2,051, a 20-year high. Turboprop shipments increased from 272 airplanes in 2003 to 321 in 2004. Shipments of GA business jets also were higher, up 14.1% percent from 518 units in 2003 to 591 in 2004.