According to GAMA, US-based manufacturers shipped 613 GA aeroplanes with a total value of US$2.1 billion in the first quarter of 2000. Compares with the same period last year, shipments increased by 22.1 per cent and the dollar value increased by 12.3 per cent. \r"This is a great start to the millennium," said Ed Bolen, GAMA president. "The $2.1 billion in billings is a record for the first quarter. The momentum generated promises to make 2000 another record year for every aspect of general aviation." A total of 136 jets were delivered in the first three months of the year, up 15.3 per cent on the 118 delivered in the first quarter of 1999. Piston-engine shipments continued to climb with deliveries up 20.9 per cent to 399 units. Turboprop shipments increased 44.4 per cent to 78 units. \rThe only downturn reported by GAMA is in export billings: They decreased by $451 million, 30 per cent below the "unusually strong" billings of the first quarter of 1999, says GAMA.