Wide-Cabin, High-Speed G150 On Schedule for First Customer Delivery in 3Q/06

Gulfstream Aerospace has roiled out the first wide-cabin, high-speed G150 business jet aircraft. First announced in September 2002, the G150 remains on schedule for customer deliveries in the third quarter of 2006.

The G150 rolled out of the Israel Aircraft industries (IAI) manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv, Israel. in attendance were certifying authorities, supplier representatives and members of Gulfstream's G150 development team, many of whom work inTel Aviv to oversee the building of the Gulfstream-designed aircraft in collaboration with the IAI development team. Once built and certified by both the Federal Aviation Administration and the Israel Civil Aviation Authority - which is scheduled for the first quarter of 2006 - the G150 will be flown to Gulfstream's Dallas facility for the final phase of its manufacturing.

"Our Gulfstream team in Israel has done an excellent job managing the design and build of the first G150," said Bryan Moss, president, Gulfstream. "They've sacrificed time away from their families to ensure this project is on budget and on schedule. Additionally, I want to thank the folks at IAI for their continuing cooperation and collaboration with our Gulfstream team in Tel Aviv, as well as with our management team from Savannah during their regular visits to the IAI facility."

At the ceremony, Moshe Keret, the president and chief executive officer of Israel Aircraft industries said, "Over the years, IAI has established an excellent reputation in designing and manufacturing business jet aircraft. Once again, we have proven our technological capabilities, both in engineering and in manufacturing in this exclusive branch of our industry.

"We wish to express our appreciation and thanks to the dedicated team that has performed all of the work and has presented us today with a high-quality aircraft while upholding a very demanding schedule. IAI will continue to protect its reputation as a world leader in the development and manufacturing of new aircraft," Keret said.

The G150 is an entirely new cabin design for Gulfstream. The G150's cabin height is just three inches shorter than in the large-cabin G450 and G550 series aircraft. The resulting effect is the G150's spacious cabin, designed and outfitted by the same team of professionals who design and install interiors for Gulfstream's larger aircraft.

"We designed this aircraft to meet the needs of specific customers who use their aircraft primarily to transport eight or fewer passengers between cities within a continent," added Moss. "G150 owners will appreciate the operating efficiencies associated with this aircraft as well as the benefits of Gulfstream's world-renowned standard of excellence in product design, innovation and product support."

To offer customers a better look at the G150, Gulfstream developed a true-to-size replica of the G150 cabin and cockpit to take on the road to cities throughout the United States. According to Moss, the G150 has been well received by business-jet operators and prospective customers who have visited the G150 mock-up.

Inside the aircraft, the G150 can accommodate six to eight passengers in a choice of several cabin configurations. its wide-body fuselage provides stand-up headroom, ample aisle space and generous legroom and headroom when seated. Like all Gulfstream customers, G150 customers can choose from a wide selection of fine leathers, upholstery fabrics, wood finishes and floor coverings.

Powered by two Honeywell 731-40AR engines, the G150 can reach speeds of up to Mach .85 and altitudes of 45,000 feet, well above commercial traffic and weather. At a long-range cruise speed of Mach .75, the G150 can fly four passengers nonstop up to 2,700 nautical miles, longer than any other aircraft in its class. That's the equivalent of Los Angeles to New York, London to Moscow, or Rio de Janeiro to Santiago.

FMI: www.gulfstream.com