AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS, that is general aviation producers (all non-military aircraft except airliners) had a very good year in 2004 producing just under 3,000 aircraft with a total value of $11.9bn nearly 20% up on the previous year and the third highest total of all time. 591 business jets were produced, Raytheon”s Hawker 800XP (de Havilland 125 to older readers - see photo) still the top seller with 50 units. Turboprops continued to be purchased with the Beech King Air family still leading on 102 units, Switzerland Pilatus next up with 70 PC 12s and the single engine Cessna Caravan selling a very respectable 64 units. Training and touring aircraft numbers continued to be well down on the halcyon figures of 30 years ago with Cirrus the largest producer at 553 units and Cessna and New Piper showing modest numbers.
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