GA Plane-Makers Bring In Record $15.1 Billion In Sales In 2005

General aviation aircraft billings jumped 27.2 percent to an all-time high of $15.1 billion in 2005, and industry leaders are optimistic that economic forecasts bode well for even better performances in the future. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association last week reported that GA plane-makers shipped 3,580 airplanes in 2005, a 20.8 percent improvement from 2004 and the most deliveries recorded by the industry in 22 years. "The outstanding 2005 shipment and billing figures demonstrate that general aviation is one of the brightest and most promising sectors of manufacturing," said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce.

The jump in billings corresponded with a 26.9 percent increase in business jet deliveries, from 591 in 2004 to 750 in 2005. Bombardier Business Aircraft helped bolster the delivery numbers, shipping 188 business jets in 2005 compared with 130 in 2004. Cessna, Raytheon and Gulfstream also reported gains in deliveries last year.

But the gains were not limited to business jets - piston-aircraft deliveries were up 20.2 percent from 2,051 in 2004 to 2,465 in 2005, and turboprop deliveries climbed 13.7 percent to 365. The piston market strengthened with the introduction of Garmin glass cockpits in venerable airframe designs, such as the Cessna 172, 182 and 206 and the Raytheon Bonanza and Baron. Mooney also is completing its comeback from bankruptcy: Its deliveries jumped from 37 in 2004 to 85 last year.