In the area of single engine 4 place aircraft that are sold in volume new as personal aircraft most would agree there are essentially three main aircraft. The Cessna 182T, the Cirrus SR20 and the Diamond DA40. We exclude the C172 because though it is a tried and true training aircraft, its speed limits it as a highly usable traveling aircraft on the same level as the three named above.

The chart above shows sales data for these three comparable models from 2004 through 2011.

Review of the numbers indicates something that many folks might not have guessed and that is the Diamond DA40 has been the top seller in the category 6 out of 8 years. The Cirrus SR20 for all its marketing hype, parachute and sales feet on the street has never topped the chart or out sold the DA40 and has been in third place in 5 of 8 years.

The total unit sales count for these three aircraft from 2004 through 2011 is shown in the chart above. The Diamond DA40 stands out as the the clear leader over all. The most surprising part again is the lead the DA40 commands over the Cirrus SR20.

As all pilots know the market for general aviation aircraft contracted significantly from 2008-2010. The bottom appears to have been found and the industry projects significant growth going forward. In 2011 the break out for the three aircraft we are analyzing showed that the Cessna 182 sales had dropped to 25% market share that the Diamond DA40 had gained further market share.  Most notable in the year to year data was that the DA40 increased from 57 to 72 from 2010 to 2011, a 26% increase, where as the C182 dropped 37.5% and the Cirrus was only up 14% year over year for 2010 to 2011.

The source of our data is the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) which tracks and publishes all member manufacturers sales and delivery statistics.

Summary

This analysis shows that among these three competing aircraft  sales of all three have dropped significantly due to the general market conditions in the period viewed.  The DA40 has been the consistent leader of the pack and appears to be on a stronger growth curve in the present market solidifying a dominant market share position. The reasons for these sales results is not within the scope of this article but it is hoped that if you are seeking to purchase an aircraft this data will assist you in putting the relative market positions of these aircraft into focus.

This presentation provides a detailed explanation of what they did to dramatically improve the performance of the aircraft. Stay tuned for availability announcements.

Join in the relief efforts of Bahamas Habitat in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

The organization is coordinating pilots, volunteers, donors and others to mount a response to the remote islands of the Bahamas.

I assure you that if you support this group financially, your funds will be well used. You see I am the President and Chairman of the organization! Your donations are tax deductible.

Pilots with planes have the opportunity to fly missions delivering relief supplies. Signup on their website www.bahamashabitat.org now for updates and mission notifications.

John Fielding, a flying friend from Virginia called me on that Saturday and said, “Are you at home in Raleigh? If so, get in the closet!” Sure enough the dark red on the radar was coming our way. We watched as it grazed past our home to the East unfortunately causing some significant damage along its path. It made it’s way up the East side of Raleigh and on to Louisburg where my friend, Steve Merritt, manages the Triangle North Airport (KLHZ).

After the storm passed, the sky cleared to bright blue without a cloud in the sky. I took to the skies in a great Husky I just listed for sale and flew low and slow to take pictures of the path. Of course the Husky is the perfect plane for the mission! The airport faired well but a few hangar doors caused damage on one of my customer’s aircraft and a poor Tomahawk flew off its tie down and sailed into another plane. The weather is great now and we are looking forward to a great flying season putting all this behind us!  Check out my aerial pictures…

By now everyone has heard about the tornado that whipped through Sun N Fun 2011 on March 31st damaging over 40 aircraft, flooding the grounds and injuring 7 people. Most news outlets focused on the damage but what happened next that is the truly remarkable story. I went the next day expecting the worst and for the rest of the show to either be scrubbed or painfully slow and unattended. Boy, was I surprised. The Sun N Fun crew had done a fantastic job getting the place back into shape over night and the next several days were beautiful weather, crowds came out and it was very busy and successful event! Check out our video update from the next day, April 1st, 2011.

continue to see photos

From one of the pictures it appears the Diamond Booth may have slipped by unscathed.