Aircraft shipments down in second quarter

Total general aviation airplane shipments fell 9.8 percent in the first half of the year, from 1,039 units in 2009 to 937 units this year, according to figures from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. Still, billings totaled $9.4 billion in the second quarter, up 0.2 percent over the previous quarter.

Piston-powered airplane shipments dropped only slightly to 425 units compared to 434 units delivered in the first half of 2009. Larger decreases were recorded for turboprop shipments, down 17.8 percent from 191 units in the first six months last year to 157 in 2010, and business jet shipments totaling 355 units, a 14.3 percent drop over the 414 units for the same period in 2009.

There were 38 multiengine piston aircraft delivered in the first half of 2010, including 18 in the first quarter and 20 in the second.

Among the major manufacturers, Cessna Aircraft shipped 244 aircraft in the first half of 2010, doubling its shipments in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the first. The total includes 58 172S Skyhawk SP aircraft, 48 Caravans, and 41 Mustang entry-level jets. Hawker Beechcraft shipped 83 aircraft in the first half including 10 Bonanzas, 12 Barons, and 27 jets. It shipped an additional 43 military aircraft, including 38 T–6A Texan trainers. Cirrus Aircraft shipped 127, including 110 Cirrus SR22 models. Piper Aircraft shipped 75 aircraft, including 22 Warriors, 16 PA-46R Matrix aircraft, and 12 Malibu Mirage aircraft. Bombardier delivered 82 aircraft, including 25 Global 5000/Express XRS aircraft and 23 Challenger 605 aircraft. Diamond delivered 70 aircraft in the first half, including 26 DA40 aircraft, 18 DA42 aircraft, and 18 DA20 aircraft. Pilatus has delivered 25 aircraft while Gulfstream delivered 56 aircraft in the first half.