GAMA found that aircraft shipments rose across all segments compared to 2022, coming in at 3,050 airplanes and 962 helicopters delivered in 2023. The numbers represent year-on-year increases of 9 percent and 9.8 percent, respectively. Overall airplane billings for last year rose 2.2 percent to $23.4 billion while total helicopter billings increased 11.2 percent to $4.4 billion.

“For the first time in more than a decade, the general aviation manufacturing industry has eclipsed 4,000 aircraft delivered,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “In addition to this strong showing, there are robust and growing order backlogs for all segments of aircraft. This is a testament to the resilience of our industry and the integral role that general and business aviation plays in our communities.”

Breaking down the numbers, piston airplane deliveries were up 11.8 percent from 1,505 in 2022 to 1,682 in 2023. Turboprop shipments also surged, hitting 638 delivered last year and improving 9.6 percent over the previous year. While business jet deliveries saw the least change, the segment still increased 2.5 percent with 730 delivered.

On the rotorcraft side, 209 piston helicopters shipped last year, up from 194 in 2022. Turbine helicopter deliveries jumped 10.4 percent. GAMA noted that fourth-quarter data from Leonardo Helicopters was not available when the report was published, so it excluded Leonardo’s Q4 2022 data from its comparison.

• READ MORE: GAMA Reports Year-Over-Year Increase in Aircraft Shipments In a ‘Governed’ Recovery

“While the deliveries from 2023 are very encouraging, our industry faces headwinds from ongoing supply chain issues, workforce shortages, uncertainty and unpredictability from global regulators, and shortsighted efforts aimed at curbing business and general aviation, particularly in Europe,” said Bunce. “As civil aviation’s innovation incubator, our entire GA industry is focused on new aircraft and technologies that will lead the way in safety and sustainability for the entire aviation sector. This progress is dependent on having effective, predictable, and accountable regulatory processes, and a supportive business environment.

“Therefore, it is crucial that the U.S. Congress passes a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, a fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill for the FAA, and a tax measure, which is pending, that promotes research and development.”

GAMA’s full report is available on its website.

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Embraer delivered 75 aircraft during the fourth quarter of 2023, including 49 executive jets, 25 commercial jets, and one C-390 military jet. For the full year, the company’s deliveries totaled 181 aircraft, an increase of 13 percent from 160 in 2022.

• READ MORE: Embraer Deliveries Up 30 Percent in Third Quarter

The Executive Aviation unit ended the year with a total of 74 light jets delivered, marking a 12 percent increase over 2022 and the highest volume in seven years. Deliveries of medium jets rose 14 percent to 41 aircraft. The backlog grew by $400 million to $4.3 billion.

Embraer’s Defense & Security unit won a deal to supply its C-390 Millennium military transport jets to South Korea, making that country the first C-390 customer in Asia. Last year Austria and the Czech Republic also selected the C-390 in 2023, as did the Netherlands in 2022.

• READ MORE: South Korea to Buy Embraer C-390 for Military Transport

The Commercial Aviation unit reported a 12 percent increase in deliveries of E-Jet aircraft to 64. Within the E-Jet family, deliveries of the E2 models more than doubled to 39 aircraft in 2023. The backlog rose to 298 aircraft, or a total of $8.8 billion. Highlights for the year included the Canadian carrier Porter Airlines placing an order for 25 E195-E2 passenger jets, adding to previous existing firm orders for 50 aircraft.

Embraer’s Services & Support business backlog grew to $3.1 billion in 2023, its highest-ever level. The company said growth momentum benefited from its earlier announcement of a deal that has doubled its maintenance service capacity for executive jets in the U.S. The expansion includes the addition of three executive aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities at Dallas Love Field, Texas (KDAL); Cleveland, Ohio (KCLE); and Sanford, Florida (KSFB).

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The net gain through the first half of 2023 puts the industry on even footing for measured growth year over year.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released the figures Tuesday in its Second Quarter Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report, pointing to good trends overall for the year. However, the association tempered its enthusiasm with a distinct warning of rough times ahead if the FAA cannot secure steady leadership—and if the reauthorization bill currently in play fails to make good on the current spirit of bipartisanship shepherding its passage through Congress.

“The growth of our industry remains strong as manufacturers continue to deliver and take orders for new aircraft,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA’s president and CEO. “As we look towards the future, it will be imperative that we have stability, accountability and sound direction from regulatory authorities, particularly in the United States. Not only does the FAA need an effective permanent leader during this transformative time for aviation, but the agency is in the process of being reauthorized by Congress. 

“We are encouraged by the bipartisanship we have seen throughout the legislative process and hope that the momentum to finalize an FAA reauthorization bill continues to build so that the agency can enhance its ability to deliver critical activities that promote safety, innovation, and efficient promulgation of rules, policy, and guidance that preserve global aerospace leadership.”

Improving Numbers Across the Segments

The news is positive in each of the primary segments: piston, turboprop, jet, and helicopters. With jets registering the smallest percent increase in deliveries, the total rise for that segment over the first half of last year (2.4 percent) is reflected in the little nudge the total billings received for the period (up 1.4 percent). However, that’s still $100 million more overall in total airplane billings.

With the piston segment, numbers went up 11.4 percent over last year’s first half, with leadership from Cirrus Aircraft—delivering 84 SR22Ts in Q2—Diamond, Piper, Tecnam, and Textron Aviation. Deliveries of Textron Aviation’s single-engine piston line gained from the fact it shipped twice as many 172s in Q2 as in Q1—happy news for the numerous flight schools with the Skyhawk on order. 

But at nearly $1.7 billion in billings for the first half of 2023, that wasn’t enough for TextAv to jump the ring to contest Gulfstream and Bombardier for total overall take. Gulfstream stands ahead by a nose on the year, with $2.508 billion (on 45 total units shipped), against Bombardier’s $2.485 billion (51 units shipped).

Rise in Rotorcraft Shipments, Too

While over the first six months of 2023 numbers improved across the board, significant progress took place in the rotorcraft sector. A bump of nearly 30 percent in total helicopter billings reflected good news for a segment that struggled a bit, particularly in its piston segment. Those days seem to be over, at least for now, with the growth showing evenly across the rotorcraft market.

“The helicopter industry continues its rebound from the pandemic period, and I expect that helicopter sales will continue to climb,” said James Viola, president of Helicopter Association International, in response to the report. “Because most helicopter crews fly public service missions, most of our aircraft continued to operate during the pandemic, so our recovery has been quick and positive. Advanced air mobility (AAM) is on the way, but helicopters will continue to fly vital missions until suitable replacement AAM aircraft are available.”

Six-Month Aircraft Shipment and Billing

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Piper’s airplane deliveries for the recent quarter increased by seven, or almost 14 percent, while revenue rose by $9 million, or more than 19 percent. The results reflect strong demand for Piper’s M-Class high-performance top-endtop-ene models as well as its training aircraft.

• READ MORE: Sierra Charlie Aviation Orders 50 Archer TX Trainers from Piper Aircraft

Piper said the backlog for the M-Class retail backlog has grown into 2024, while the backlog for trainers extends to late 2025 and 2026, depending on the model.

“The demand of our high-performance M-Class family, featuring the turboprop M600/SLS and M500 as well as the piston-powered M350, is evident in our steady growth,” said John Calcagno, president and CEO of Piper Aircraft. “While new deliveries continue to be strong in Q2 2022, near new, used model availability remains at record lows of about two percent.At the same time, Seminole, Archer, and Pilot 100i sales increased 20 percent versus Q2 2022. We continue to see unprecedented demand for our robust trainers that are built for the rigors of real-world training environments, meeting the demands of world-class training academies all over the world.”

• READ MORE: Piper Aircraft Announces New Parts Manufacturing at Oshkosh

In addition to success in the domestic market, Piper reported sales around the world continue to grow, with international deliveries up by 50 percent compared with last year’s second quarter. The company also said its brisk delivery performance reflects the diversity of its model lineup, which makes its aircraft appealing to a wide range of pilots.

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While the numbers indicate the market is holding steady, there are signs of concern. Bottlenecks in certification and supply chain, and a minor downtick in business jet operations—depending on whom you speak with—continue to produce drag on an industry seeking to innovate sustainable and efficient solutions in the face of outside attacks on the use of private aviation.

GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce was blunt about the success of the industry in spite of that friction. 

“The continued health of the general aviation manufacturing industry is encouraging, particularly in light of persistent supply chain, workforce, and North American regulatory process challenges,” said Bunce in a statement from GAMA with the report. “Our manufacturers are focused on meeting this thriving product demand with new aircraft which incorporate advanced technologies that further enhance safety and fuel performance. During this transformative time in aerospace, our manufacturers continually demonstrate that our sector is the technology incubator for safety and sustainability.” 

Outside Pressure Creating Friction

The events of the past week drew Bunce’s comments to a specific point. “This message is being emphasized this week at [the European Business Aviation Conference and Expo] in Geneva and will also be a focus at the Paris Air Show as we counter the shortsighted, irrational attacks directed upon business aviation in Europe. 

“In stark contrast, emphasis on our demonstrated record of environmental sustainability leadership was very well received on Capitol Hill in early May when GAMA member company leaders participated in more than 125 meetings with U.S. legislators. Other issues discussed with senators and representatives across the political spectrum included the immediate need for a confirmed FAA administrator, improved training for the young FAA workforce, strengthened bilateral engagement, and timely passage of an FAA reauthorization bill to provide clear, multiyear direction for the agency.” 

The full downloadable report can be found here.

First Quarter 2023 Shipments and Billings

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While the company registered many of the same supply chain challenges that have plagued the aviation industry as a whole, those obstacles were surmounted by the team’s efforts.

• READ MORE: We Fly: Daher TBM 960

“Last year’s business performance benefitted from the dedicated efforts of our production, delivery, and sales teams on both sides of the Atlantic, along with our firm engagement to deal with the aviation industry’s continued supply chain challenges and employment shortages,” said Nicolas Chabbert, senior vice president of Daher’s Aircraft Division, in a statement.

Chabbert also credited the introduction of the FAA- and EASA-certificated TBM 960 and FAA-blessed Kodiak 900 with “energizing” sales for the next two years. FLYING demoed the TBM 960 for its Q3 issue last year—and the Kodiak 900 is featured in our next “We Fly” report in Issue 934, currently on its way to subscribers.

Market Segments 

North America continues to be the strongest market for Daher’s sales in the TBM line, with 40 units going to those customers in 2022, followed by 11 deliveries to clients in Europe. The remainder of the 56 total 960s delivered went elsewhere globally.

The Kodiak series totalled 17 deliveries to a blend of corporate flight departments, private owners, and special missions operators in North America, and one unit to a European customer. One Kodiak 900 was delivered within the total, marking the debut for the new model.

Official delivery numbers for the industry will be disclosed in the upcoming 2022 report from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association on February 22.

A New Base

Daher inaugurated a new U.S. headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in late January, strengthening its position as a global aerospace firm. The move consolidates the company’s administrative and management functions into a single Florida base located near its TBM and Kodiak service facility in Pompano Beach (KPMP), as well as its newly acquired aerostructures plant in Stuart (KSUA). 

• READ MORE: Swiss Pilot Takes the Next TBM 960

From the new location—convenient to both the Ft. Lauderdale (KFLL) and Miami International (KMIA) airports—Daher expects to expand further into the North American market not only in aircraft and aerostructures manufacturing but also logistics and services.

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With a fleet totaling 165 in the field—and on the water and in the air—ICON reports that the A5 has notched more than 30,000 hours. Part 23 type certification lies just over the horizon, by its estimates, and that date looks to be hitting around the end of Q1 2023. With the TC in hand, the company can expand its international footprint, and it’s in the hunt for sales partners to make that happen.

• READ MORE: ICON A5 Among Aircraft To Appear at Detroit Auto Show

Deliveries Almost There

ICON shares the trials felt around the industry as far as meeting its delivery expectations—but it is happy to say that even in spite of supply chain woes and increased components costs, it is tracking to send 35 aircraft out the door in 2022—a little short of its target. The company looks ahead to a better 2023, with a backlog that will take it through June, and 80 percent of those orders for the higher-end Garmin G3X-equipped A5. It hopes to build and send off between 55 and 60 amphibs next year, all told.

“We had initially targeted more than the 35 A5s that will be sold in 2022,” said ICON CEO Jerry Meyer. “Like others in our industry and beyond, we faced supply chain challenges that caused us to lower our production goal. The good news is we pushed though and we’re in a better position because of it. We still are experiencing isolated shortages and longer lead times, but things are trending in a positive direction.”

In order to make that higher rate, ICON has been at work on optimization. According to an additional statement shared with FLYING, it’s “a big focus in 2022—we worked tirelessly as a company to control costs, optimize our production process, and put the company on a path to success. We made significant progress thanks to our incredible team.” Workforce has reportedly not been an issue for the company’s production footprint in Tijuana, Mexico, and completion and delivery center in Vacaville, California.

ICON concluded: “Our investors are committed, and we are evaluating a global capital raise to help accelerate product development projects that will enhance marketability.”

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AEA said avionics sales increased 4.6 percent from the second to the third quarter this year, marking nine consecutive quarters of increasing sales, the association said. Comparing July to September 2021 with the same period in 2022, avionics sales increased by 23.2 percent.

The report was compiled using data from participating companies, AEA said.

The news comes as the aircraft purchasing market has also seen an uptick, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s (GAMA) third-quarter shipping and billing report released in November.

• READ MORE: Aircraft Deliveries Up in Q3 Across All Segments: GAMA

The $2.08 billion in forward and retrofit sales for the first nine months of 2022 was 18.3 percent more than during the same period in 2021, AEA said. Following earlier trends, forward-fit sales led the way over retrofits, with $407 million and $333 million, respectively. 

AEA said the more than $407 million in forward-fit sales was the largest in the report’s history, topping the previous high of $376 million that came back during the 2019 second quarter.

• READ MORE: Garmin to Supply G3000-based Flight Deck for Special Forces’ Strike Aircraft

The rise in sales has been focused on one region, according to the report. The U.S. and Canada generated 73.7 percent of the nine-month sales activity this year.

“While year-over-year avionics sales in the retrofit market are nearly flat, the overwhelming majority of the total sales growth is taking place in the forward-fit market,” AEA president and CEO Mike Adamson said in a statement. “Avionics installed in newly manufactured aircraft were valued at more than $400 million this quarter for the first time in our report’s history, and our industry is seeing a healthy demand for brand-new general aviation aircraft.”

• READ MORE: New Trends in Inflight Connectivity

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Though it didn’t specify how much it would miss its target, the OEM said that the final figure would not be “materially short of the ‘around 700’ delivery target.” In 2021, Airbus delivered 661 aircraft to customers worldwide.

In the same update, the company said it delivered 68 commercial aircraft in November to 40 customers, bringing total deliveries up to that point to 565 deliveries to 72 customers for the year. The OEM received 29 new orders in November and 14 cancellations, bringing Airbus’ backlog to 7,344 aircraft.

• READ MORE: 737 Max Orders Help Boeing Crush Airbus at Farnborough Airshow

It also said it would slow the production rate of its Airbus A320 jetliner for 2023 and 2024, making 65 instead of 75 per month. It said it hopes to regain the capacity to produce 75 per month by the middle of the decade 2025.

The European manufacturer will disclose its full-year 2022 commercial orders and delivery results in early January 2023 and overall full-year results in February 2023.

In its global market forecast that stretches between 2022 and 2041, Airbus forecasts that demand for passenger traffic will grow annually by 3.6 percent over the next 20 years. Based on that, Airbus predicts a need for 39,490 new passenger and freighter aircraft over the next 20 years. It expects 31,620 to be single-aisle and 7,870 to be widebodies.

• READ MORE: Airbus Highlights Efforts to Cut Greenhouse Gases

Airbus said it predicts the demand for Freighters to reach 2,440 aircraft over the two decades, with 900 of those being new-built. With sustainability sharply in focus and an industry commitment to get to net zero in carbon emission by 2050, OEMs are also keen on deploying more climate-friendly aircraft.

• READ MORE: JetNet CEO Greg Fell Issues a Call to Arms on Sustainability

According to Airbus’ report, only 20 percent of the current in-service fleet consists of the latest generation fuel-efficient aircraft and replacing older generation aircraft would be one of the most straightforward ways to decarbonize the sector.

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Overall, the news is good—at least on the airplane side of the house, with deliveries up nearly 10 percent over the same period in 2021 and the total dollar amount up by 5.2 percent.

Things were a bit more measured for rotorcraft, with deliveries overall gaining just 0.6 percent and total billings down by 5.6 percent, or roughly $100 million.

“Despite ongoing supply chain and workforce issues, our industry continues to make progress and strategically posture for the future, which is a true testament to our strength and durability,” said GAMA’s president and CEO Pete Bunce.

“Demand for general aviation aircraft continues at a robust pace. Since the initial setbacks of the pandemic, we have seen some segments make strides with growing backlogs and high rates of operations while others are still diligently working to navigate the path to recovery.”

Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Overall, results from the first half of 2022 indicate strongly that the industry is well into recovery from the anemic pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. In fact, shipments for airplanes overall came in slightly higher than the figures for 2019, with 1,174 deliveries through the end of June 2022 versus 1,137 for the same period in 2019.

Especially strong, compared to 2019, are single-engine piston airplane sales, which are nearly 9 percent higher than three years ago, with 638 shipments overall. 

Billings, however, are for the airplane segment in total versus pre-pandemic numbers, notching $5.271 million against $5.581 million—reflective of the fact that business jet sales (the most expensive mounts in the airplane category) still haven’t come back completely. There were 289 deliveries for the first half of 2022 and 333 for the term three years ago. Indications are strong from turbine-producing OEMs that as they work through backlogs of six to 18 months and solve supply chain pain points, those numbers will improve over the remainder of 2022.

So What’s Up?

The top winners for piston airplane shipments included Cirrus and Diamond, with significant increases in SR20 and DA40 shipments respectively.

In a statement to FLYING, Cirrus Aircraft CEO Zean Nielsen said the company historically has “consistently had a stronger delivery quarter in Q2 than Q1. Recently, we have seen momentum in our fleet business and delivered more aircraft to fleet customers in the first half of 2022 than we have in the past several years.

“In addition, our non-fleet flight training business continues to see strong growth; more people are choosing to make personal aviation a part of their lives and learning to fly in a SR20 at their local Cirrus Training Center. Both resulted in a strong 1H of SR20 training aircraft deliveries in 2022.”

Diamond also reported improvements post-pandemic. “Our Q2 numbers will have seen an improvement as our supply chain issues continue to recover from the COVID disruptions,” said Trevor Mustard, aircraft sales manager for Diamond in a statement to FLYING. “Additionally, there have been further efforts to ramp up our production at all our facilities in order to meet the steady demand from our customer base. Fleet (training) and private owners make up an estimated 60:40 percent ratio, respectively.”

Also back in the fight: turboprop sales, which suffered particularly in 2020, falling from 231 deliveries in 2019 to 152 in 2020 for the first two quarters of those years. Through June 2022, GA turboprop manufacturers reported 247 shipments with projections for a strong second half of the year as well.

The Not-So-Good News

Multiengine piston sales remain soft, though with some recovery in the first six months of this year—and rotorcraft sales overall are just beginning to bounce back. Helicopter OEMs shipped 414 total units in the first half of 2019, but just 257 in 2020 for that period, and 344 for the same range in 2022.

Six Month Aircraft Shipments and Billings

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