Bull market ahead?
There hasn’t been much positive news coming from general aviation lately what with the sharp downturn in sales and flying activity, and the cheap shots that some politicians and pontificators have been taking at business aviation. However, even though the latest accounting of new-aircraft sales is dismal, there is some good news in there for Twin Commander owners.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has released its report on first-quarter 2009 deliveries of new general aviation airplanes, and turboprops were the only segment that showed an increase in sales compared to the same periord in 2008.
Though it was a modest increase—just 3.4 percent—turboprop sales in the first three months of the year were dramatically better than business jets—down 35.7 percent, and piston-powered airplanes, which were off 55.1 percent compared to the first quarter of 2008.
The reason for the good showing of turboprops is the same reason that Twin Commander values should remain solid through this downturn: as with cash, efficiency—performance verses fuel consumption—is king.
“The Honeywell TPE331 engines that power turboprop Twin Commanders are rightly known for being the most fuel-efficient in their class,” noted Twin Commander Aircraft President Matt Isley. “Fuel-efficient performance will never go out of style,” he added.
“Twin Commander owners should feel confident that the market will increasingly turn to the inherent value that performance-based turboprops like Twin Commanders deliver. We feel bullish about the future of Twin Commanders in the marketplace.”
Discuss this article in the forums...
