MARK BURNS, GULFSTREAM Mark Burns leads Gulfstream Aerospace as its president and CEO under parent company and steward General Dynamics. Business Air posed three quick questions for Burns to illuminate for our audience about the exciting and challenging business aviation marketplace and Gulfstream’s strategies to push it forward.
QUESTION 1
Business Air: The G650 series has a great reputation among pilots for its fuel economy while still moving along at a very respectable Mach number—do you see the G700 and G800 fulfilling this same promise? Mark Burns: Gulfstream has invested significantly in our new fleet to provide the industry’s most fuel-efficient aircraft. The new G700 and G800 aircraft build upon the speed and efficiency of the G650/G650ER aircraft with the all-new, more fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines,
and the new advanced winglet design that enhances high- speed aerodynamic efficiency. The result is that the G700 and G800 will be up to 20% more fuel efficient at Mach 0.90 than competing aircraft. Our own pilots have already taken the G700 around the world, touting more than 30 city-pair speed records along the way. We expect the G800 to build on these accomplishments, and more, as it progresses through its flight-test program.
QUESTION 2
Business Air: The global supply chain continues to flex— how did Gulfstream keep delivery numbers in 2022 on target in light of ongoing constraints? Mark Burns: The current supply chain environment is a challenge, but it has not significantly impacted our business. Gulfstream has a strong supply chain team that maintains close communication and collaboration with our existing base of more than 2,000 suppliers. We
partner with these suppliers to mitigate any potential impacts and ensure the quality and availability of parts with the shared objective of delivering on our promises to our customers. Even before the pandemic, Gulfstream took significant aspects of our supply chain in-house, such as wing production, giving us even more control and advantage in today’s environment.
QUESTION 3
Business Air: Utilization of private aviation got a boost over the past three years with new users entering the market. Has Gulfstream seen an uptick in new customers—and how can you retain them? Mark Burns: Gulfstream has seen a significant increase in the sale of aircraft to new customers. Our investments in our new family of clean-sheet aircraft have proved to be well-received in the market, and have resulted in a record number of orders over the past two years.
The benefits of private aviation have never been clearer. New customers are enjoying the safety, comfort, productivity, and flexibility that a Gulfstream aircraft provides, backed by Gulfstream’s worldwide customer support team, which provides dedicated service across an expanding network of more than 30 facilities around the world. This team works tirelessly to ensure every customer receives the best in customer service following their aircraft purchase to ensure they remain a lifelong Gulfstream customer.
17
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online