The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reported that in the first three months of 2013, total worldwide general aviation (GA) airplane shipments increased 9.6%, from 418 units in 2012 to 458 units this year. GAMA said billings for GA airplanes totaled $4.6 billion in the first three months, up 32% from the same period last year.

Turboprop shipments, which were up in 2012 due to strong agricultural sales, are now showing strength across the entire sector. The single-engine turboprop airplanes had a positive trajectory, up 14.6% to 102 units this year. In addition, the multi-engine turboprop airplanes were strong with 34 shipments compared to last year’s 19 airplanes.

Business jet shipments totaled 129 units, a 4.0% increase. The piston engine airplane segment was also positive, up 3.8% to 193 unit deliveries.

“We are very pleased to see a shift to the positive for GA airplanes, which extends across all airplane segments, for the first quarter of 2013,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “However, the performance was mixed within the segments, which demonstrates the need for industry’s continued engagement with elected officials and regulators throughout the world as we seek to strengthen the GA sector.”