Gulfstream has been named the top business aviation brand in the Asia Pacific region by aviation market intelligence specialist Jetnet.

The news came as Gulfstream announced at the 2016 Singapore Airshow that its Asia-Pacific fleet continues to grow, reflecting its position as the top-rated brand in the region.

Jetnet’s latest iQ Report, published quarterly, lists Gulfstream first in its Brand Reputations of Aircraft Manufacturers survey for Asia Pacific.

“Our brand reputation in Asia Pacific is second to none and that is reflected in our fleet, which has doubled in size from 142 aircraft in 2010 to 289 at the end of 2015,” says Roger Sperry, regional senior vice president, International Sales, Asia Pacific, Gulfstream. “That’s an average of more than 29 deliveries a year. We continue to welcome new customers who want to leverage the performance, comfort and reliability of our aircraft to expand their business interests around the world.”

The company’s fleet in Southeast Asia has doubled over the past five years to more than 60 aircraft. Nearly 25 of those aircraft are based in Singapore. As sales in the region increase, Gulfstream continues to invest in regional support and services for operators while also realigning the resources it’s had in place for several years.

Operators based in and travelling through Southeast Asia have Jet Aviation Singapore’s Gulfstream-authorised service centre at Seletar Airport as a strong resource for their maintenance needs.

The facility’s two hangars and workshops comprise nearly 9,290 sq m. Jet Aviation Singapore has Gulfstream technicians on-site to assist with airframe, avionics and interior work, including refurbishment, particularly for the G450, G550, G650 and G650ER, four of the most popular aircraft in the region.

“There is considerable Gulfstream expertise and knowledge among the staff at Jet Aviation Singapore and the US-based Gulfstream technicians we rotate through there,” says Mitch Choquette, vice president, Customer Support, Gulfstream. “This enhanced partnership with Jet Aviation benefits customers throughout the region, giving them a world-class service resource in Southeast Asia.”

Approximately $65 million in parts are positioned in Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing. 

Hong Kong is home to the Asia Customer Support Contact Center near Hong Kong International Airport, a valuable resource for Asia-Pacific operators. Facility personnel now include computer maintenance programme analysts, a technical systems specialist, an over-the-counter parts sales and warranty specialist, a regional sales manager for product support and a materials manager, along a with field service representative and field service operations manager.

Gulfstream’s Asia-Pacific presence also includes company-authorised service center Jet Aviation in Hong Kong and company-authorised warranty facilities Metrojet in Hong Kong; ExecuJet in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia; Jamco in Sendai, Japan; and Air Works in Mumbai, India.

Also in Hong Kong, FlightSafety International operates a Gulfstream Learning Center for technicians and pilots that features a level-D qualified full-flight simulator for the G550 and G450. 

Gulfstream also has Field and Airborne Support Team (FAST) technicians based in Hong Kong and Bangkok, who are particularly adept at rapid-response assistance to operators in aircraft-on-ground situations.

Gulfstream’s FAST service recently completed its 5,000th airborne support flight, achieving the milestone more than 13 years after the service was launched in May 2002.

The FAST service uses two aircraft to deliver flight-essential parts and technicians to operators in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In the case of mission No. 5,000, pilots Ty Ung and Shanon Baker departed Savannah to deliver a section of an engine bleed air duct to a G450 at its home base at Illinois’ Waukegan National Airport, which is approximately 45 miles north of Chicago. The aircraft made its scheduled flight the next morning.

“Returning an aircraft to service with minimal downtime is what FAST is all about,” said Derek Zimmerman, president, Gulfstream Product Support.  “It takes a tremendous effort to pull off a swift, well-co-ordinated response to operators whose aircraft are unexpectedly grounded as a result of needed parts or technical assistance. FAST members have consistently met the challenge and continue to find ways to improve on what they do.”

The airborne support element of FAST comprises two G150 aircraft, more than 50 technicians and pilots and a support team of more than 230 people. FAST also includes support vehicles throughout the US and Europe. Along with the airborne unit, FAST has a ground unit that includes 12 dedicated maintenance engineers who can be dispatched by airplane, train, automobile or van from their bases in Europe, Asia and the Middle East to resolve maintenance issues.

A wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics of the US, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically   advanced business-jet aircraft. 

Gulfstream has produced more than 2,500 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the G150, the G280, the G450, the G550, the G500, the G600, the G650 and the G650ER. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales.