Top Turbine: More R66s were delivered than any other turbine. In fact, across all types, it was only bested by its piston sibling, the R44. Photo: RHC
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has published its deliveries and billing report for the first quarter of 2024. The report makes interesting reading, noting that deliveries of piston helicopters, the vast bulk of which are Robinson-built, have remained stable, while deliveries of turbine helicopters declined by 14.4% compared to the same period last year to 131 units.
An examination of the details of the report reveals some interesting data: while light singles dominated deliveries across all manufacturers in the quarter, numerically, Robinson’s R66 took the top spot with 34 delivered. This compares with 21 H125s delivered by Airbus, with third place, a two-way tie between Leonardo’s AW119 and Bell’s 505. It was also good to see that Enstrom had delivered 2 480Bs in the quarter.
For the multiengine types, the pace was a good deal slower, with 14 examples of the top-performing marque for the quarter, the Airbus H145, delivered. Meanwhile, 12 UH-60M/S-70s were delivered and eight AW-139s.
GAMA said that much of the slowdown in deliveries is a result of the industry facing supply chain issues, with GAMA CEO and President Pete Bunce noting, “Our industry continues to be challenged by significant supply chain issues across the board that range from raw materials, through forgings and castings, to basic parts availability. These challenges are most acute in our engine sector. Workforce availability is yet another area that is constraining production. However, we are encouraged to see deliveries of business jets continue to increase and remain optimistic that this trend will include other aircraft segments as the year progresses.”
Bunce is also encouraged by the recent passage of the FAA reauthorisation and the new leadership atop both the FAA and EASA ‘working to strengthen the effectiveness of their bilateral relations’.
To read the full GAMA report, click HERE
