Total worldwide sales of avionics for business and general aviation aircraft totalled just over $2.5 billion in 2014, representing a 4-percent year-over-year increase, according to figures released today by the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) at its convention in Dallas. AEA's annual market report shows that the value of sales was split fairly evenly between forward-fit (nearly $1.3 billion) and retrofitted equipment ($1.2 billion). At 51.4 percent, forward-fit equipment’s share of the market was slightly down from 2013, while the share for retrofit sales increased.

The dollar amount reported (based on net sales price) includes all components and accessories for cockpits and cabins, as well as software upgrades and portable equipment. The total covers both certified and non-certified electronics, in additon to all hardware, batteries and chargeable product upgrades. According to companies that separate their sales geographically, 62.6 percent of 2014 sales came from customers in North America, with the rest coming from around the world.

“The report indicates modest year-over-year growth in sales for the second straight year,” said AEA president Paula Derks. “Also of note is the fact that the first six months of 2014 contributed to a little more than half of the year’s total sales volume when compared with the third and fourth quarters. This might be worth watching in future years to determine if there exists some seasonality in sales trends with the course of a single year.”