Every month my Czech friend, Jan Friedrich, compiles FAA registration data. These data are available to anyone but it takes a several hours to comb through the database while applying industry knowledge because the information, while accurate, is not straightforwardly presented. Welcome to Just Aircraft, who qualified for the Top 20.
Through the first six months of 2008, Light-Sport Aircraft deliveries have reflected the same challenges afflicting the rest of general or sport aviation…and for that matter, the overall U.S. economy. In fact, LSA registrations aren’t off as badly as are GA deliveries, perhaps due to significantly better fuel economy in an LSA. These FAA registrations can be analyzed to show trends. *** In the first half of 2008, the LSA industry registered 248 aircraft, which is 22% of all registrations from April 2005 through December 2007 (1,118). Many find it interesting to observe how market leaders compare. If a supplier registered less than 22% of their fleet in 2008, they slipped in market share (even if they registered more total airplanes). If they exceeded that figure, they gained market share. In the first half of 2008 gainers included: Remos up 62%; Czech Aircraft Works 47%; FPNA 45%; Gobosh 38%; Tecnam 35%; Aeropro 32%; and AMD 28%. All brands named above had a smaller total number of previously-registered aircraft than the leading sellers, so the percentage value isn’t particularly meaningful other than to rank the increases by brand. *** By the number of aircraft registered, Flight Design stayed out in front adding 33; Tecnam 24; CZAW and Remos 21 each; American Legend 18; AMD 13; and CubCrafters 10.
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