Gulfstream Delivers 300th G550

Taiwan’s Win Air To Manage Aircraft For Customer

SAVANNAH, Ga., June 3, 2011 — Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. recently delivered its 300th large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 business jet. The aircraft was delivered to a Taiwanese customer and will be managed by pioneering Taiwan charter and aircraft management company Win Air.

Gulfstream celebrated the milestone at its Brunswick, Ga., service center, where the aircraft was outfitted. Gulfstream Brunswick employees and Win Air personnel attended.

“Win Air is the first company of its kind in Taiwan, and we are once again proud to do business with its president, David Fei, and his organization,” said Roger Sperry, Gulfstream regional senior vice president, International Sales, Gulfstream. “Win Air took delivery of a G550 last year, which was the first business jet to receive Taiwanese registration. Win Air knows the Gulfstream aircraft well and will be able to handle any questions or concerns its customer may have.”

Win Air, which started as a private flight department, earned its Air Operator Certificate (equivalent to Part 135 certification) from Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration in August 2010. The company operates two U.S.-registered aircraft, a Gulfstream G450 and a GIV, along with its two Taiwan-registered G550s.

The G550 along with its sister, the G500, were officially introduced Sept, 9, 2002, at the National Business Aviation Association convention in Orlando, Fla. The first G550 was delivered on Sept. 17, 2003. Later that year, the G550 development team was honored for its technological breakthrough with the National Aeronautic Association’s Robert J. Collier Trophy, the most prestigious aviation award in the U.S.

Powered by enhanced Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan engines, the G550 has a range of 6,750 nm (12,501 km) at Mach 0.80 and a high-speed cruise capability of Mach 0.87. With its long legs, the G550 easily links Hong Kong with Los Angeles and Paris, and Tokyo with New York.

The G550 has a 12-month dispatch reliability rate of 99.87 percent. In addition, it has compiled 50 city-speed records, including one in February 2010. On Feb. 17, a G550 reached a top speed of 532.19 mph in a flight from London to Tokyo.

Win Air will take delivery of the first G650 to enter service in Taiwan. This aircraft, Gulfstream’s new flagship, will also be available for charter and offers the top speeds, longest range and most comfortable and productive cabin of any aircraft in the industry.

Win Air’s location, Taipei Songshan International Airport in downtown Taipei, is ideal for business travelers.
Source: Gulfstream
Photo: Rob Vogelaar, ZAPP