Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

Gulfstream Aerospace reduced G550 production rates in the fourth quarter of last year and will lower rates of the G450 this quarter, while G280 and G650 production will be increased slightly, Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO of parent company General Dynamics, announced today during an investor conference call. She called the move “part of the transition from the G450 and G550 to the new G500 and G600,” noting that G450/550 backlog still extends to the first quarter of next year.

 


As a result, shipments of “green” Gulfstreams will decrease by about 6 percent this year—to 104 large-cabin jets and 34 midsize jets—though revenues are expected to climb slightly, to about $8.9 billion versus 2015’s $8.85 billion, thanks to a better aircraft mix. Last year, Gulfstream handed over 112 green large-cabin jets and 35 midsize jets, compared with 115 and 29, respectively, in 2014.

 


Still, Novakovic said Gulfstream “had more orders for in-production aircraft in 2015 versus 2014,” with G650 backlog extending into the first quarter of 2018. She noted that demand for large-cabin jets is “reasonable,” despite reports that this market is deteriorating. North America continues to dominate, with 70 percent of Gulfstream’s sales last year coming from this region. However, Novakovic added that Asia Pacific sales increased slightly.

 


The book-to-bill ratio at Gulftream was 1:1 last year, and the funded backlog stood at $13.292 billion at the end of the fourth quarter, up nearly $200 million from a year earlier.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

G450/550 Production Cut as Gulfstream Moves to G500/600

Shipments of “green” Gulfstreams will decrease by about 6 percent this year, though revenues are expected to climb thanks to a better mix.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Strong North American market boosts overall activity

Business Aircraft Flying Soars Higher in December

Matt Thurber

The Super Versatile Jet is full of surprises

Pilot Report: Pilatus PC-24

Charles Alcock

Latest version of the design was unveiled at the recent China Airshow in Zhuhai

Manta Steps Up Work on Ann6 Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

The SUV of jets can land on unpaved runways and has a massive cargo door

Flying the Updated Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Air Bravo purchased the freighter version of the twin-turboprop

Cessna SkyCourier Certified by Transport Canada

Jessica Reed

Pilatus and Piper products make up the majority of sales

Western Aircraft Achieves $2B in Total Aircraft Sales

AmyWilder

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

More In Aircraft

Business Aircraft Flying Soars Higher in December

Strong North American market boosts overall activity

Pilot Report: Pilatus PC-24

The Super Versatile Jet is full of surprises

Manta Steps Up Work on Ann6 Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

Latest version of the design was unveiled at the recent China Airshow in Zhuhai

Flying the Updated Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet

The SUV of jets can land on unpaved runways and has a massive cargo door

Cessna SkyCourier Certified by Transport Canada

Air Bravo purchased the freighter version of the twin-turboprop

Western Aircraft Achieves $2B in Total Aircraft Sales

Pilatus and Piper products make up the majority of sales

Reality's Digital Mirror with Dassault's Virtual Design

Digital twins transform product development and manufacturing

People in Aviation

People in Aviation - January 2025

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN