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For additional information about general aviation, please visit the Manufacturing Database.
Welcome to the General Aviation/Business Aviation Industry Information Section on AeroWeb.
General aviation is defined as all aviation other than military and scheduled commercial air transportation.
This section covers global and U.S. sales and shipments of general aviation aircraft (excl. helicopters)
as well as sales by company, aircraft models, and general aviation aircraft fleets.
Quick Stats 2012:
No. of Aircraft Sold - World/US: 2,133/1,514
Global Revenues: $18.87 billion
Industry Leader: Cessna Aircraft Co. (571 units)
Bestseller: 172S Skyhawk SP (113 sold)
| General Aviation Industry Performance 2011-2012: | World Shipments | U.S. Shipments | World Revenues | Leader | Top Model |
| +0.6% | +3.3% | -0.9% | CESSNA | 172S Skyhawk SP |
| General Aviation Industry Performance 2010-2011: | World Shipments | U.S. Shipments | World Revenues | Leader | Top Model |
| +5.0% | +9.8% | -3.4% | CESSNA | 162 Skycatcher |
General Aviation Market Trends, Data and Stats | 2000-2012-2013+ |
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As of 2012, there are more than 360,000 general aviation aircraft in the worldwide fleet, ranging from two-seat training aircraft to intercontinental business jets. About 220,000 of these, or 61%, are based in the United States. There are nearly 4,000 paved general aviation airports in the U.S. This compares to only 500 airports served by commercial airlines. |
According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the general aviation industry contributes more than $150 billion to the U.S. economy annually and employs about 1.27 million people. In the U.S., every year, general aviation aircraft carry 166 million passengers. Over two-thirds of general aviation air traffic is for business purposes. |
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2012 Shipments and Sales Data - Following Just Below
Latest Q4 2012 Production and Sales Data U.S. General Aviation Aircraft Exports |
Top Aircraft Manufacturers and Bestselling Models
U.S. Aircraft Fleet Data and Forecast 2000-2033 |
U.S. and Global Shipments of General Aviation Aircraft |
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As illustrated by the chart, the recession from December 2007 to June 2009 had a massive
impact on the general aviation (GA) aircraft manufacturing industry. In 2010, however, the downtrend stopped
and the number of aircraft sold increased by 4.8% worldwide from 2,023 in 2010 to 2,120 in 2011. Shipments of aircraft manufactured in the U.S.
increased by 3.3% from 1,465 in 2011 to 1,514 in 2012.
In 2012, worldwide production grew slightly to 2,133 aircraft
(up 0.6%),
while shipments of aircraft produced in the U.S. increased 3.3%.
From 2007-2010, the global production of GA aircraft dropped a staggering 52.8% from 4,276 aircraft in 2007 to 2,020 in 2010. In the United States, manufacturers have experienced a 59.3% drop in aircraft production from 3,279 to 1,334 units.
A key reason for the major decrease in sales, apart from the poor economic environment, is that the average price per aircraft worldwide almost doubled from 2007 to 2010. This is discussed in further detail below.
Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Revenues from General Aviation Aircraft Sold |
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As illustrated by the chart, general aviation aircraft manufacturers have experienced a relatively modest drop in revenues as compared to the massive decrease in sales volumes.
From 2008-2012, revenues from the worldwide production of general aviation aircraft decreased by 23.8% from $24.77 billion to $18.87 billion. In the United States, manufacturers experienced a much larger 39.9% drop in revenues from $13.35 billion in 2008 to $8.02 billion in 2012.
The relatively small decrease in revenues is because manufacturers have been able to raise prices without, at the same time, experiencing too much of a drop in aircraft sales. This is discussed in further detail below.
Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Average GA Aircraft Price - U.S. and Global |
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As mentioned above, general aviation aircraft manufacturers have raised their prices tremendously to make up for lower sales volumes. Clearly manufacturers are aware that, at low levels of demand, private aircraft are a highly price inelastic type of product - thus prices can be raised without demand falling by nearly as much.
From 2007-2010, the average price of a general aviation aircraft (worldwide) has almost doubled from $5.1 million to $9.8 million (+91%). U.S. manufacturers also raised their prices, although less at +64% ($3.6 billion in 2007 to $5.9 billion in 2010).
Prices went up every year from 2003/2004 - peaking in 2010. In 2011, worldwide general aviation aircraft prices dropped 8.0% followed by a 1.5% decrease in 2012. .
Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Global GA Aircraft Shipments by Type of Aircraft |
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As illustrated by the chart, piston-engine aircraft are the most frequently sold general
aviation aircraft worldwide followed by jets and turboprops.
In 2012, out of 2,133 aircraft sold worldwide, 881 (41.3%) were piston-powered,
672 (31.5%) were jets, and 580 (27.2%) were turboprops.
In 2011, sales of turboprop aircraft went up a whopping 42.9%,
while sales of jets and piston-powered aircraft fell 8.8% and 1.0%, respectively.
In 2012, sales of turboprop aircraft increased 10.3%,
while the sale of jets and piston-powered aircraft dropped 3.4% and 1.9%, respectively.
Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
U.S. GA Aircraft Shipments by Type of Aircraft |
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Among shipments of general aviation aircraft produced in the United States,
piston-engine aircraft are the most common type sold followed by jets and turboprops.
In 2012, out of 1,514 aircraft sold, 708 (46.8%) were piston-powered,
347 (22.9%) were jets, and 459 (30.3%) were turboprops.
In 2011, shipments of turboprop aircraft went up a massive 76.3%,
while sales of piston engine aircraft decreased by 7.0%.
The sale of jets, at 364 units shipped, was unchanged from 2010 to 2011.
In 2012, sales of turboprop aircraft increased 16.2%, while the sale of piston-powered aircraft
went up marginally (+0.3%). At the same time, jet shipments dropped 4.7%. For the first time,
sales of turboprop aircraft produced in the U.S. are higher than the sale of jets.
Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
U.S. General Aviation Aircraft Exports |
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As illustrated by the chart, from 2008 to 2011, U.S. general aviation aircraft exports decreased from 1,161
to 486 aircraft or a drop of 58.1%.
In 2012, however, exports jumped to 720 aircraft (+48.1%), regaining the terrain lost in 2011.
Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Percent of U.S. GA Aircraft Production Exported |
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As illustrated by the chart, a major shift in U.S. general aviation export trends has occurred between 2004 and 2010. In 2004, U.S. general aviation manufacturers only exported 14.1% of all aircraft produced. By 2010, the percentage of aircraft exported has increased to 51.6%.
In 2012, the export rate decreased to 47.7% from 36.3% the year before.
Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Shipments of GA Aircraft | Q4/2005 - Q4/2012 |
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The global general aviation aircraft manufacturing industry had a somewhat disappointing fourth quarter. Aircraft production was down 3.7% from 765 aircraft produced in Q4 2011 to 737 in Q4 2012.
U.S. general aviation manufacturers saw shipments decrease by 1.7% (-9 aircraft) in Q3 2012 compared
to the same quarter last year. U.S. general aviation aircraft shipments fell from 521 planes in Q4 2011 to 512 in Q4 2012.
In Q4 2012, the U.S. increased its global general aviation aircraft production market share to 69.5% from 68.1% in Q4 2011.
For more information, click to download the Latest 2012 Quarterly Shipments and Sales Report.
Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Revenues from GA Aircraft Sold | Q4/2005 - Q4/2012 |
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While worldwide general aviation aircraft shipments (see chart above) are down 3.7% in Q4 2012,
revenues from the sale of aircraft decreased even more. In Q4 2012, global revenues decreased 5.6% from
$6.94 billion in Q4 2011 to $6.55 billion in Q4 2012.
For more information, click to download the Latest 2012 Quarterly Shipments and Sales Report.
Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Quarterly Shipments of General Aviation Aircraft |
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Same data as above but displaying all quarters from Q1 2006 until now.
For more information, click to download the Latest 2012 Quarterly Shipments and Sales Report.
Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Quarterly Revenues from Aircraft Sold |
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Same data as above but displaying all quarters from Q1 2006 until now.
For more information, click to download the Latest 2012 Quarterly Shipments and Sales Report.
Source: General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Top-10 General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturers |
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In 2012, Cessna Aircraft Co. sold more general aviation aircraft (571) than any other company and more than twice
as many as Cirrus Aircraft (253) in second place. Bombardier and Air Tractor come in as #3 and #4 with 179 and 169 aircraft shipments in 2011.
After a disappointing 2011 with shipments down 15% to 136, Piper Aircraft had a strong 2012 and reported sales of 158 aircraft (+22 units or +16%)
and retook the ground the company lost in 2011. Diamond Aircraft had a disappointing 2012 and saw sales fall to 156 aircraft
from 185 the year before (-29 units or -16%). This places the company in 6th place in 2012 down from 4th place in 2011.
The financially troubled Hawker Beechcraft sold 45 fewer aircraft in 2012 at 153 (down from 198 or -23%).
Company was in 3rd place on the list in 2011 but fell into 7th place in 2012.
In 2011, Cessna Aircraft Co. manufactured more general aviation aircraft (689) than any other company and more than twice
as many as Cirrus Design (255) in second place.
Hawker Beechcraft have sold 198 aircraft in 2011 aircraft vs. 214 in 2010 or -7.5%.
However, the company remains in 3rd place. Piper Aircraft had a disappointing 2011 with shipments down 15% to 136.
Bombardier had a strong 2011 with a 21% sales increase from 150 aircraft in 2010 to 182 in 2011.
However, the biggest surprise in 2011 is Diamond Aircraft. The company's sales increased from 129 aircraft
in 2010 to 185 in 2011, an impressive 43% jump. This takes the company from 7th place in 2010 into 4th place in 2011.
When general aviation aircraft manufacturers are ranked by sales revenues, other companies, namely the jet manufacturers, dominate the playing field. Bombardier, #3 by units sold, now takes the lead with total 2012 sales of $5.83 billion ahead of Gulfstream with $4.07 billion. Dassault, a company not even in the top 10 in terms of units sold, now takes 3rd place with 2012 sales of $2.94 billion. Cessna, the big leader by units sold, is now only in third place with $1.85 billion in sales.
*Does not include revenues from the sale of twin-aisle aircraft such as the A330 and B747-8.
Top-10 Best-Selling General Aviation Aircraft Models |
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The best selling general aviation aircraft (data does not include helicopters) in 2012 was the Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP with 113 units sold - up from 77 in 2011 or +46.8%. Cessna also takes the 2nd place in 2012 with the 208B Grand Caravan (96 sold vs. 83 in 2011) followed by Diamond Aircraft's DA40 in third place (93 sold). Cirrus SR22 and SR22T, #2 and #3 in 2011, respectively, are ranked as #8 and #4 in 2012. Other strong performers are the Cirrus SR20 which went from 14th place in 2011 to 5th place in 2012 with 84 units sold vs. 48 the year before. Gulfstream's G-Series takes 6th place ahead of Air Tractor's AT-502B. Flight Design's ASTM CT Series of Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) is in 9th place (#4 in 2011) with the Pilatus PC-12 maintaining its 10th place from 2011.
The best selling general aviation aircraft in 2011 was the Cessna 162 Skycatcher with 168 units sold - up from 22 in 2010 or +664%.
The #1 in 2010, Cirrus Design's SR-22, takes 2nd place in 2011 with the SR-22T in third place. Other strong performers are the Diamond DA-40
and Diamond DA-42 from Diamond Aircraft. The DA-40 is now in 8th place (10th in 2010), while the DA-42 comes in as no. 9 (14th in 2010).
The Cessna 172S Skyhawk remains a top seller with 77 aircraft shipped in both 2010 and 2011.
Embraer's Phenom 100 fell all the way from 2nd place in 2010, to a position as #17 on the 2011 sales list. Sales dropped from 100 aircraft
to just 41 in 2011. In third place comes Cessna's C208B Grand Caravan followed by the Pilatus PC-12, the Cessna 172S Skyhawk,
and Gulfstream's G-Series (including the new G650 with 12 shipments in 2011).
No. of Aircraft in the U.S. Business/General Aviation Fleet |
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As a result of the 2007-2009 recession, the U.S. general aviation aircraft fleet has shrunk from 231,606 aircraft in 2007 to an estimated 220,670 in 2012 - a decrease of 4.7%. The fleet is, however, expected to grow to 221,085 aircraft by the end of 2013.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Forecast for the Future Size of the U.S. GA Aircraft Fleet |
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In its forecasts for the general aviation industry, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates that the U.S. general aviation aircraft fleet will grow from an estimated 221,085 aircraft in 2013 to 246,375 aircraft in 2033. This is equal to an average annual rate of growth of 0.52%.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
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