General aviation shows mixed results in 2012, app looks to re-energize the community
February 13, 2013, 10:58 am
General aviation aircraft deliveries and billings showed mixed results last year, as experts anticipate stronger numbers in the next few years. According to the General Aviation Manufactures Association, airplane shipments increased only 0.6 percent in 2012, while billings fell 0.9 percent over that same time, when compared to 2011. According to officials, GAMA members delivered 2,133 airplanes in 2012, while billings were $18.9 billion. Brad Mottier, GAMA chairman, said the numbers do not reflect the amount of development made in the general aviation community in 2012. He added that the industry is poised for growth in coming years as new technologies enter the market. Moving forward in 2012, it will be a goal of general aviation to ease the red tape for enabling pilots to use advanced technologies to help improve safety numbers. “2012 saw an expansion of the GAMA membership to the agricultural airplane segment and helicopter manufacturers,” said GAMA's President and CEO Pete Bunce. “The data that we are publishing today reflects deliveries through the full breadth of certified general aviation manufacturing and the significant impact our industry has in creating more jobs and boosting the global economy. The current economic challenges and changing market dynamics have broad implications for the industry. That is why we have an aggressive agenda for 2013 that is aimed at increasing government effectiveness, advancing policies that strengthen general aviation, and raising general aviation safety levels worldwide.” App looks to boost general aviation enthusiasm
While many believe the general aviation industry will continue to grow, one company is looking to increase communication and promotion with a mobile application and website. Jason Simon and Jason Clemens recently co-founded SocialFlight, a new mobile app and website that looks to re-energize enthusiasm in the general aviation community. The app and website will allow users a one-stop destination for all aviation events. The co-founders compiled a database of every fly-in, air show, pancake breakfast, safety seminar and event you can think of pertaining to general aviation. Pilots can even put in their location, how far they are willing to travel and what events they would like to attend, and the application will create a personalized list for them. "SocialFlight maps out all of the events and motivates us to get out there and enjoy them,” said Rob Holland, world renowned aerobatic performer and part of the SocialFlight beta test group. "It's the first app I've seen that actually promotes general aviation and fosters our community. SocialFlight is intuitive, user-friendly, and will really energize GA flying by answering the age old question: Where am I going to fly today?” Before taking to the skies, however, pilots in the general aviation community should look into pilot insurance to safeguard their families' future.
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