Story ID: 
GA Shipments and Backlogs Keep Climbing
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: General aviation manufacturers continue to show steady growth in deliveries and backlogs.
Word Count: 156
General aviation manufacturers continue to show steady growth in deliveries and backlogs. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), airframe builders delivered 2,842 piston and turbine airplanes in the first nine months of this year-nearly 19 percent more than the 2,391 shipments made in the same period last year. Business jet deliveries scored the highest growth rate–23.3 percent (629 shipped in the first three quarters of this year versus 510 in the same timeframe last year). Turboprop shipments increased 12.4 percent (from 228 to 256 period over period). Industry billings were up 28.6 percent, to $13.2 billion. “Our manufacturers have seen growth in all airplane segments, part of which we attribute to strengthening sales in Europe, and into Russia, China and India,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “Business people and government officials are recognizing the dynamic role that general aviation plays in building a vibrant economy and, as our manufacturers continue to bring new innovations to market, we expect this trend to continue.”