Worldwide deliveries of new general aviation aircraft continued to recover somewhat in the third quarter but remain down from last year.
According to figures released by the Washington based General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), 436 new aircraft were delivered during the most recent quarter, up from 419 in the second quarter and 372 in the first quarter. For the year, deliveries are down 9.8 per cent from the first nine months of 2010, while industry billings have fallen 10.2 per cent, from US$13.5 billion to US$12.1 billion.
Deliveries of piston-powered aircraft have fallen 8.8 per cent, turboprops are down 5.9 per cent and business jets have dropped 13 per cent, according to the group.
GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce said the industry faces fragile economic conditions in its traditional markets in the US and Europe, and he continued his aggressive push-back against per-flight user fees proposed by the Obama administration.
“This is not the time for new, undue government burdens to be imposed on general aviation,” he said. “Misguided tax policies that single out our industry, unquestionably endanger jobs.”
