General Aviation Shipments Shift Upmarket as Beechcraft Ends Bonanza, Baron Production
GAMA's second-quarter 2026 report shows modest overall shipment growth, but piston deliveries are fading as buyers move toward higher-priced turboprops like the Beechcraft Denali.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) second-quarter 2026 shipment report shows 1,458 airplanes delivered through the first half of the year, up modestly from 2025, with piston deliveries at 786 units. However, the underlying trend is a shift toward more expensive aircraft.
Textron Aviation announced in November 2025 that it would end production of the Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Baron G58, citing sustained sales decline and a redirect of resources toward the Beechcraft Denali single-engine turboprop. The Bonanza and Baron combined for only four deliveries worldwide in the first six months of 2026, according to GAMA data.
The Denali, in development since 2016, is expected to list at roughly $6.4 million to $6.6 million, compared with about $1 million to $1.3 million for a new Bonanza or Baron. First deliveries of the Denali are anticipated this year following certification of the GE Catalyst engine in February 2025.
Sources
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