Maintaining the gold standard

摘要

With record backlog and demand for its business jets, and a new G650 to join its large-cabin family, Gulfstream faces the challenge of maintaining its award-winning service and support. TIM ROBINSON looks at how the company is keeping the gold standard for its customer support in its 50th anniversary year. On first glance, the high-end business jet market might be thought of as an exotic niche market, with a handful of aircraft sold every year. However, this year Gulfstream celebrates its 50th anniversary, with more than 1,600 aircraft in service. Indeed, as the majority of these aircraft are Rolls-Royce powered (beginning with the R-R Dart, used on the very first turboprop G1) if Gulfstream were an airline, it would be R-R's biggest installed fleet. What is more, is the growth is recent and accelerating.