Over 1,770 piston aircraft delivered - and the trend is rising
According to the GAMA Annual Report 2024, last year 1,772 brand-new piston aircraft delivered. This corresponds to a Growth of over five per cent By comparison, in 2014 there were still 1,123 machines - that means growth of more than 57 % in just ten years. The reasons for this include
- the continuing Young pilots,
- the need for modern training aircraft,
- the continuous Further development of existing aircraft models,
- and the growing market for Special applications such as agriculture, disaster control or aerial surveying.
Market leader by far: Cirrus Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft from Duluth (Minnesota, USA) remains the undisputed leader in the delivery statistics. The model SR22T, a state-of-the-art single-engine aircraft with turbocharger and glass cockpit, is one of the bestsellers. The slightly smaller SR20 also remains popular with flying schools and private owners.
A characteristic feature of Cirrus is the standard CAPS parachute system (Cirrus Airframe Parachute System)which provides additional safety. With over 700 aircraft delivered in 2024, the manufacturer continues to dominate the premium piston aircraft segment.
Cessna and Piper: The classics hold their own
The traditional brands Cessna (a company of the Textron Aviation Group) and Piper Aircraft remain indispensable market players. Cessna continues to supply large numbers of the 172 Skyhawk - probably the best-known training aircraft in the world. Just as popular are the Cessna 182 Skylane and Cessna 206 Stationairespecially for operators with a bush or utility focus.
Piper scores with the Archer TX and LX for pilot training and the Piper M350a pressurised, high-performance machine in the upper piston segment.
Diamond Aircraft: Austrian quality on the rise
One notable newcomer is once again Diamond Aircraft Industries from Wiener Neustadt (Austria). The company was able to further consolidate its market position in 2024. The twin-engine DA42-VI and the single-engine DA40 NGboth with Austro diesel engines (an in-house development of the company) and modern avionics systems.
Diamond's aircraft are considered to be particularly economical, environmentally friendly and reliable - characteristics that make them particularly attractive to flight schools, universities and police or environmental authorities.
Air Tractor: Workhorse from Texas
Also represented in the ranking is Air Tractora manufacturer from Olney, Texas. Its robust, large-area Single-seater with piston engine are designed for tough use: Agricultural spraying, fire fighting and other specialised tasks.
Especially the model AT-402B with over 600 hp and a large payload capacity is very popular around the world - including in South America, Australia and South-East Asia.
The variety is growing: from school aeroplanes to workhorses
The top ten best-selling piston aircraft in 2024 show The scene remains diverse. The market ranges from classic VFR training aircraft to fully equipped IFR touring aircraft and highly specialised work aircraft. This also shows how much Piston aircraft despite electric and hybrid alternatives are still in demand - not least because of:
- their comparatively Low acquisition and operating costs,
- the global infrastructure for maintenance and fuel supply,
- and the great Variety of models and configurations.
Outlook: Change with a tailwind
Even if the electrification and hybridisation of aviation continues to advance, the classic piston aircraft will continue to play an important role in the future. an indispensable part of general aviation for many years to come remain. The first electric aeroplanes such as the Pipistrel Velis Electro are gaining in importance, but still in small quantities.
Progress in piston aviation itself continues - for example through more modern avionics, More efficient motors and the increased use of alternative fuels such as Unleaded AvGas or SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel).
Top 10 best-selling piston aircraft in 2024
| Place | Model | Manufacturer | Deliveries 2024 (estimated) | Special features / areas of application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cirrus SR22T | Cirrus Aircraft | ~540 | High-performance single engine with turbocharger, IFR-capable, with CAPS parachute system |
| 2 | Cirrus SR20 | Cirrus Aircraft | ~170 | Training and touring aircraft, glass cockpit, popular with universities |
| 3 | Cessna 172S Skyhawk | Textron Aviation | ~160 | The classic for flight training, robust and widely used |
| 4 | Piper Archer LX/TX | Piper Aircraft | ~120 | IFR-capable training aircraft with modern glass cockpit |
| 5 | Diamond DA40 NG | Diamond Aircraft (AT) | ~100 | Diesel single-seater with efficient Austro-Engine, popular with flight schools |
| 6 | Diamond DA42-VI | Diamond Aircraft (AT) | ~90 | Modern twin-engine training aircraft |
| 7 | Cessna 182T Skylane | Textron Aviation | ~80 | Versatile touring aircraft with higher performance than the 172 |
| 8 | Air Tractor AT-402B | Air Tractor (USA) | ~70 | Working aircraft for agriculture & firefighting |
| 9 | Piper M350 | Piper Aircraft | ~50 | Pressurised cabin, 350 hp, in the upper premium segment of piston aviation |
| 10 | Tecnam P2010 TDI | Tecnam (Italy) | ~40 | Light aircraft with diesel engine, increasingly widespread in Europe |
Source references:
GAMA
