WASHINGTON, DC, April 28, 2006 – Today, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced that manufacturers have recorded the highest first quarter billings in history. Billings for the industry totaled $4.0 billion, an increase of 39.7 percent compared to 2.9 billion in for the first quarter of 2005. Shipments for the first three months of 2006 totaled 845, a 34.1 percent increase over the 630 airplanes shipped in the first three months of 2005.

"These positive figures, if sustained, are an indication that the year will be a solid one for general aviation," said Pete Bunce, GAMA’s President and CEO. “All segments of the general aviation manufacturing industry are continuing to increase at strong levels.”

Piston-engine aircraft shipments totaled 597 units compared to 434 units delivered in the first quarter of 2005, a 37.6 percent increase. Turboprop shipments increased from 57 units last year to 59 units this year. Business jet shipments were 189 in the first quarter of 2006, a remarkable 36.0 percent increase from the 139 units delivered in the first quarter of 2005.

“Based on the encouraging market activity throughout the industry in this first quarter, and the exciting new technologies and products on the horizon, it is hard to not get excited about the future of general aviation," said Bunce.