General Aviation Information and Statistics
AOPA General Aviation Trends Report
Fourth Quarter 2010
Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association
421 Aviation Way, Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 695-2230
Executive Summary
Numbers Year-to-Date (YTD) for 2010 saw mixed results in terms of flight activity, pilot certification, aircraft shipments and aviation safety. All comparisons are based on Year-to-Date comparisons from 2009 to 2010.
Overall, measures of flight activity remained stable compared to the previous year. Center activity increased 6% compared to last year’s figures, while activity at towers decreased 3% compared to 2009.
Total gallons of Avgas sold showed an increase over last year’s numbers by 10%. The average regional price (excluding Hawaii and Alaska) for a gallon of Avgas rose by $0.40 to $4.99 as compared to 2009, when it was $4.59 as reported by 100LL.com.
Trends in certificate issuances YTD compared to 2009 experienced decreases in all areas except Students (up 2%) and CFI Ratings (up 3%). Decreases: Privates (down 25%), Commercials (down 29%), ATP Ratings (down 1%), and Instrument Ratings (down 31%).
Total U.S. shipments of general aviation aircraft (including Single-Engine Piston, Multi-Engine Piston, Turboprops, and Business Jets) fell behind 2009 totals by 16%.
The Air Safety Institute reports fewer general aviation accidents in 2010 than in the same period last year. Accidents Year-to-Date 2010 showed a decline of 7% (1,208 in 2010), compared to 2009 (1,294 in 2009).
GA Trends Statistics YTD Comparison Fourth Quarter 2010
| 2009 | 2010 | % Change | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLIGHT ACTIVITY | ||||
| Centers - Aircraft Handled | 6,257,782 | 6,610,024 | 6% | 352,242 |
| Tower Operations | 27,599,226 | 28,564,472 | 3% | 965,246 |
| Gallons AV Gas Sold (in 000's) | 180,858 | 198,836 | 10% | 17,978 |
| PILOT CERTIFICATION | ||||
| Student Issuances | 55,786 | 56,658 | 2% | 872 |
| Private Issuances | 19,893 | 14,977 | -25% | -4,916 |
| Commercial Issuances | 11,383 | 8,056 | -29% | -3,327 |
| ATP Issuances | 3,113 | 3,072 | -1% | -41 |
| CFI Rating Issuances | 4,348 | 4,486 | 3% | 138 |
| Instrument Rating Issuances | 25,337 | 17,603 | -31% | -7,734 |
| AIRCRAFT SHIPMENT & REGISTRATION | ||||
| GA Shipments | 1,587 | 1,334 | -16% | -253 |
| AVIATION SAFETY | ||||
| GA Accidents | 1,294 | 1,208 | -7% | -86 |
Flight Activity
Centers
YTD 2010 saw a total of 6,610,024 IFR aircraft were handled at ATC centers. This total represents an increase of 6%, 352,242 more aircraft handled compared to 2009.
Towers
General aviation tower operations increased 3% in 2010 (965,246 more aviation tower operations) compared to 2009.
Aviation Gasoline
Gallons of Aviation Gasoline sold - A total of 198,836 million gallons of aviation gasoline (100LL) were sold YTD 2010. This total represents a 10% increase compared to the previous year.
Pilot Certification
Student Certificates Issued
A total of 56,658 student certificates were issued in 2010. This figure is up compared to last year’s figures by 2% (872 more new student certificates issued).
Private Certificates Issued
A total of 14,977 private certificates were issued in 2010, a 25% decrease compared to the same period in 2009 (4,916 less issuances).
Commercial Certificates Issued
The number of new commercial pilot certificates issued in 2010 reached a total of 8,056. This number represents a 29% decrease compared to 2009 (3,327 less new commercial pilot certificates issued).
ATP Certificates Issued
A total of 3,072 new ATP certificates were issued in 2010, a decrease of 1% (41 fewer ATP certificates issued) compared to 2009.
CFI Certificates Issued
YTD 2010 saw 4,486 CFI ratings issued. This total represents a 3% increase compared to the same period in 2009 (138 more CFI ratings issued).
Instrument Ratings Issued
Instrument ratings issued YTD 2010 totaled 17,603. This total represents a 31% decrease compared to the same period in 2009 (7,734 less instrument ratings issued).
Aircraft Shipments
U.S. aircraft manufacturers shipped 1,334 general aviation aircraft in 2010. This total represents a 16% decrease (253 fewer aircraft) over the same period in 2009.
Aviation Safety
General Aviation Accidents
There were a total of 1,208 general aviation accidents in 2010, down 7% (86 fewer accidents) than during the same period in 2009 (1,294).
