Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
US general aviation (GA) manufacturers increased aircraft deliveries by almost 40% in 1997 and saw sales value rise by almost 50%. Figures compiled by the USGeneral Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) show that in 1997 member companies delivered 1,569 aircraft valued at a record $4.7 billion. GAMA is forecasting further increases for 1998, citing record order backlogs.
Shipments in 1997 were boosted by a 64% increase in the number of piston powered aircraft delivered, to 985, while billings soared on a 44% rise in the number of business jets delivered, to 348. A decrease of 18% in turboprop aircraft deliveries is attributed to the completion of large fleet orders that buoyed the 1996 total, says GAMA.
The used aircraft market was also strong in 1997, says GAMA. Sales reported by the US National Aircraft Resale Association rose by almost 12%, to 2,837, with sales of used business jets jumping by 14.5%, to 1,525. Other positive indicators cited by GAMA president Ed Bolen include increased GA and business aircraft flying in 1997; an 8.3% increase in student pilot starts; and a 3% decrease in the number of GA accidents.
GAMA chairman Art Wegner, chief executive of Raytheon Air-craft, says that piston aircraft sales have been boosted by the 1994 General Aviation Revitalisation Act, while business aircraft sales have been buoyed by a robust US economy and growing corporate profits. Interest rates on aircraft financing dropped in 1997 to their lowest levels in recent years, he says.
Wegner cautions that the threat of user fees still hangs over the USGA community. In late 1997, after sustained lobbying by the industry, GA fuel taxes were reinstated for a period of 10 years, but calls for user fees will be reconsidered by Congress this year. A switch from taxes to fees would be "devastating", he says.
Raytheon led deliveries of turbine business aircraft in 1997, shipping 194 King Airs, Beechjets and Hawkers compared with Cessna's 174 Citations (see table). Including non-US manufacturers, Bombardier was placed third, with 83 Challengers and Learjets, followed by Gulfstream (51 aircraft shipped) and Dassault (48 Falcons). Raytheon also delivered 42 Beech 1900D regional airliners and 16 military Beechjets and King Airs, while Cessna shipped 78 single turbine Caravans and six military Citations.
Cessna led piston deliveries, shipping 360 aircraft, compared with New Piper Aircraft's 222, Raytheon's 134 and Mooney's 86.
Gulfstream led GAMA's 1997 financial league table, reporting billings of almost $1.72 billion (an increase of 121% over 1996), compared with Raytheon's $1.32 billion (up 17%) and Cessna's $1.22 billion (up 47%).
Source: Flight International