Jet and Turboprop Shipments Set Records

Shipments and billings for GA jets and turboprops set records in the second quarter, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

Billings in this category totaled $12.1 billion for the first six months of 2008. Compared to the first half of 2007, billings increased 24.1 percent.

Turboprop shipments rose from 186 units in the first half of 2007 to 222 units in 2008. Business jet shipments totaled 663 units in the first half of 2008, a 39.3 percent increase over the 476 units delivered in the same period in 2007.

Meanwhile, piston-powered aircraft orders dropped 15.7 percent compared to 2007. Shipments totaled 1034 units in the first half of 2008 compared to the 1226 units delivered in the first half of 2007.

The growth of worldwide markets is a boon for the turbine industry, according to a GAMA statement.