In 2017, 2,234 airplanes were shipped worldwide, a 2.5-percent increase from the previous year. The rotorcraft sector, that includes helicopters, also increased, by 7.5 percent, and shipments reached 861 units.
Billings, however, for airplanes fell during 2017 by 4.2 percent, while rotorcraft billings grew 1.4 percent compared to 2016.
Business jets saw a 1.3-percent increase, but turboprop deliveries fell 3.3-percent.
“Notable from these numbers is that the rotorcraft segment stabilized after several years of declining deliveries,” the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) said. “Piston rotorcraft experienced the largest increase of all segments at 264 unit deliveries compared to 224 in 2016, a 17.9-percent increase. Preliminary turbine rotorcraft data also indicates an increase of 3.9 percent, to 662 aircraft delivered.”
Last year’s results are encouraging, GAMA President Pete Bunce said, and the industry is very optimistic about the future.
The industry’s 2017 numbers were announced at a Feb. 21 news conference. After the announcement, GAMA executive committee members spoke about the industry’s challenges as well as its future growth. Hybrid and electric propulsion also was discussed.
Challenges include the implementation of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out mandate that has a deadline of Jan. 1, 2020.
ADS-B technology is used for air-traffic control.