But Total General Aviation Market Remains Contracted In The Second Quarter

On August 4th, GAMA released the industry's second quarter shipment and billings figures. Piston-powered airplane shipments totaled 434 units while turboprop shipments were at 191 units. Both figures represent significant declines from the same period last year.

Even with the pressure on the current general aviation new aircraft market, Cirrus Aircraft saw significant share growth on a substantial rise in airplane deliveries in the second quarter versus the first quarter. "While the overall market remains very challenging and is at significantly contracted levels versus a year ago, we saw several bright spots in the second quarter GAMA delivery data" said Todd Simmons, Vice President of Marketing at Cirrus. "We have made substantial product improvements across our product line, SR20, SR22 and TURBO, in just the last 12 months. With this latest industry delivery information, the market is clearly showing its preference for new Cirrus Aircraft."

"The list of upgrades and new offerings that are driving growth include Flight Into Known Icing protection for SR22 and SR22 TURBO models, a  comprehensive new design for this class of aircraft; the Cirrus Perspective by Garmin avionics platform - the most advanced, capable and feature-rich panel available in the market today and available on all three Cirrus models; and "X" and "Xi" upgrade editions that allow customers to personalize a new Cirrus to their exclusive and individualized tastes." Simmons noted.

In the second quarter of '09, Cirrus shipped 82 aircraft, an increase of 43 aircraft over the last quarter deliveries or 210% growth on a quarterly basis. Total Single Engine Piston (SEP) market deliveries by all manufacturers were up at a lower rate of 145%. Cirrus increased its market share leadership from 51% in the first quarter to 64% in the second quarter of 09 for all SR22 comparable aircraft.

As of the second quarter, Cirrus Aircraft delivers SR22 model aircraft (normally aspirated and turbo) at a rate of over three-to-one over the next closest all-metal competitor in the category and over four-to-one when compared to the next closest all-composite aircraft in the category. The Cirrus Aircraft SR22 (normally aspirated and turbo) remains the best-selling model of SEP airplane for the seventh year in a row.

In the quarter, Cirrus Aircraft averaged nearly 30 aircraft deliveries per month, shipped the most Single Engine Piston airplanes worldwide, and increased its market share position by more than ten percentage points over the first quarter in the Single Engine Piston category.

GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce noted early signs of recovery for the larger industry. "We are encouraged that the overall economic picture is showing some signs of improvement, which is a crucial condition for recovery in the general aviation market. Flight hours are stabilizing, used inventories are beginning to shrink, and our manufacturers are seeing signs of renewed interest in airplane purchases. We are also encouraged by reports that accelerated depreciation, passed by Congress earlier this year, is stimulating some new orders. Even though it is too early to distinguish these indications as a trend, we are hopeful that this momentum will continue through the second half of the year."

More specific to Cirrus Aircraft, Simmons concluded, "Without question our product enhancements for new aircraft and very robust activity in our pre-owned business are moving the needle for Cirrus"

FMI: www.cirrusaircraft.com