WASHINGTON, DC, October 28, 2004 ─ Today, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced that the general aviation industry continued a strong recovery through the third quarter of 2004. Industry billings were up 19.7 percent to $8.1 billion for the first nine months of 2004, while total units rose 7.7 percent to 1,928.

“Recovery of the U.S. economy and accelerated depreciation enacted by Congress for operators of new airplanes stimulated every segment of our industry,” said Ron Swanda, interim president of GAMA. “But the growing, worldwide attraction of using general aviation airplanes for safe and efficient air travel is a fundamental growth factor that should not be overlooked.” Congress responded to the success of accelerated depreciation by extending the placed-in-service date for an aircraft until December 31, 2005.

Shipments of piston-powered airplanes manufactured worldwide in the first nine months of 2004 were up 70 units, 1342 from last year’s 1,272. Turboprop shipments increased from 163 airplanes in the first nine months of 2003 to 194 this year. Business jets were also up with first nine months shipments increasing 10.4 percent, from 355 units last year to 392 units this year.

(Revised November 15, 2004)