General aviation airplane shipments in the first quarter ticked up 2.3 percent from a year ago, though billings slid 10.9 percent, according to data released today by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Overall, the industry shipped 434 airplanes worth $3.6 billion in the first three months.
Piston airplane shipments increased 6.3 percent, to 203 units, in the first quarter, while business jet deliveries climbed 6.6 percent, rising from 122 last year to 130 in the most recent first quarter. Since Dassault reports deliveries only at half- and full-year intervals, the first-quarter business jet numbers do not include any Falcon shipments.

The number of pressurized business turboprops handed over to customers in the quarter plunged 42.8 percent year-over-year, from 50 to 35 airplanes, almost entirely the result of fewer King Air deliveries. During the first three months, Textron Aviation handed over 12 King Airs, down from 26 a year earlier.

“The first quarter shows mixed results for our industry, but with several bright spots,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “We expect future growth to be driven by the introduction of new products, which underscores just how important it is for the U.S. Congress to pass certification reform legislation to facilitate the future of aviation manufacturing.”