Aerobatic Aircraft Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The aerobatic aircraft market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 7% during the forecast period.

The aviation sector has witnessed unmatched challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns implemented across various countries, supply chain disruptions, and shortage of raw materials led to production halts from the manufacturer which hampers the market growth during the pandemic period. The sector showcased a strong recovery post-pandemic in 2021 due to relaxations in lockdown norms and growing demand for these aerobatic aircraft.

An aerobatic aircraft is heavier than air (aerodyne) and it can be used in aerobatic competitions and flight exhibitions. There are mainly two types of aerobatic aircraft which are training and aerobatics. The first type includes the aircraft used for flight demos and training, which are mainly used for a range of training purposes or military fighters. The second type includes aircraft specially designed for aerobatic applications. To withstand aerobatic flight, aerobatic aircraft are equipped with various systems such as inverted oil systems, inverted fuel systems, aileron spades, symmetrical wings, and aerobatic propellers. Several innovations have been made in these sport aircraft categories which include different devices that enable inverted flight, transitional maneuvers, and an array of aerodynamic moves.

Increasing demand for aerobatics aircraft for training purposes is driving the growth of the market. The aerobatic light sport aircraft are designed to be easily flown with a variance of speed exhibitions. Thus, growing of such aircraft for leisure activities also drive the market growth.

Key Market Trends

The Leisure Activities Segment is Projected to Show Significant Growth During the Forecast Period

The leisure activities segment of the market is expected to show significant growth during the forecast period. The growth is due to the increasing demand for light sport aerobatic aircraft and growing investments in leisure activities. Aerobatic flying is mainly done for sports, entertainment, and general flying competitions. For instance, in June 2022, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation in India announced a new policy for air sports in India. The National Air Sport Policy (NASP), 2022, listed 11 games under this category. The sport includes aerobatics, amateur-built and experimental aircraft, gliding, parachuting, powered aircraft and rotor aircraft, and aero modeling and rocketry. According to the Indian government, the small-sized industry is worth nearly Rs 80 crore. The Edge 540 aerobatic aircraft developed by Zivko Aeronautics is popular for racing and aeronautics. It is a single-engine aircraft with a climbing rate of 3,600+ feet per minute. Furthermore, the aerobatic championships and competitions organized by various federations and associations across the globe boost the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific Will Showcase Remarkable Growth During the Forecast Period

Asia Pacific is projected to show significant growth in the aerobatic aircraft market during the forecast period. The rising adoption of aerobatic aircraft for training and instruction purposes and increasing demand for these aircraft for recreational purposes drive the growth of the market across the region. Furthermore, rising investments in tourism and sports activities boost the market growth during the forecast period. For instance, in October 2022, The Indian Air Force (IAF) signed a contract worth Rs 6,826 crore for the procurement of 70 indigenous trainer aircraft, HTT-40 at the DefExpo 2022 at Gandhinagar. It was designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The aircraft would be used for aerobatics, basic flight training, instrument flying, and close formation flights. It has unique features such as hot-refueling, running change-over of pilots, and short-turnaround time.

In addition to that, in September 2022, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT) of the Indian Air Force performed an air show in Guwahati. Surya Kiran is an Indian Air Force aerobatics demonstration team, also known as the IAF Ambassadors. Pilots get training on such aircraft before they start flying any military aircraft due to the small size and compactness of aerobatic aircraft. Thus, growing investment in the procurement of aerobatic aircraft and rising demand from defense forces for the training of pilots drive the growth of the market across the Asia Pacific during the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

The aerobatic aircraft market is consolidated in nature with the presence of few players holding significant shares in the market. Some prominent market players are American Champion Aircraft, VANS AIRCRAFT, INC., WACO Aircraft Corporation, Pacific Aerospace, OSKBES MAI, and others. Key players in the market are focusing on the design and development of advanced aerobatic aircraft used for various end-use applications such as training, sport, entertainment, and others.

Growing investments in the development of innovative systems and technological advancements in aerobatic aircraft drive market growth. For instance, in September 2021, Bartolini Air, a European flight-training provider took delivery of the first new CAP10C NG. The launch customer re-introduced the aerobatic airplane, which was used for upset-recovery training. Bartolini Air announced that it has received the first New Generation (NG)-series airplane.

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