The rotorcraft industry delivered 465 aircraft in the first six months of 2017, an increase of 16.8 percent compared to the same point in 2016, according to the recently-published second quarter rotorcraft shipment report from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).
According to the report, piston rotorcraft shipments increased from 116 last year to 127 in 2017. Turbine rotorcraft shipments also saw an increase in sales, growing from 282 last year to 338 in 2017, representing a 19.9 increase.
“The second quarter shipment and billing numbers provide a positive marker for the rotorcraft market stabilizing and are a solid bright spot for the general aviation industry in 2017,” Pete Bruce, president and CEO of GAMA, said.
Total rotorcraft billings increased from $1.52 billion in H1 2016, compared to $1.88 billion in H1 2017, a 23.9 percent increase. Additionally, single-engine turboprops increased from 87 last year to 112 in 2017 while multi-engine turboprops increase from 14 to 19 this year.
North America bought the most aircraft among GAMA geographic areas, increasing from 326 in the first half of 2016 to 411 this year. Europe bought the second most, increasing from 79 to 131 this year.