Gulfstream Enhances Customer Support in Asia Pacific

Gulfstream Aerospace says that business has steadily increased for Gulfstream Beijing, its service center at Beijing Capital International Airport.

Since opening in November 2012, Gulfstream Beijing has grown to 45 employees, including more than 20 technicians, and continues to support Gulfstream operators on-site and across Greater China.

In December 2013, the facility earned Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) approval for 1A through 6A inspections for the G550, G450 and G200.

“Our fleet in Greater China has grown from 30 aircraft in 2008 to more than 130,” said Gulfstream’s Roger Sperry, regional senior vice president, International Sales, Asia Pacific. “Growth like that means more demand for regional service and support. We are committed to providing more of that year after year.”

Since April 2013, Gulfstream has increased its parts and inventory in the Asia Pacific region by approximately $10 million to nearly $67 million positioned over four distribution points, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangalore, India.

Recently, the company appointed Bill Guo as its second field service representative (FSR) in China. He will respond to the maintenance needs of customers based in and traveling through Shanghai and surrounding areas. In China, Guo joins Jenson Saw, who has been based in Beijing since January 2010.

Gulfstream also has FSRs in Hong Kong (three), Singapore (one) and India (one).

Before joining Gulfstream, Guo spent nearly two years as an engineering manager for Hanergy Jet in Beijing. He has also been a maintenance instructor, system engineer, aircraft configuration supervisor and technical service engineer for Chinese aircraft charter provider Deer Jet.

Guo earned a degree in aviation mechanical and electrical equipment maintenance from Xi’an Aeronautical University in China and holds a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration aircraft and powerplant license.

Gulfstream’s presence in Asia Pacific also includes factory-authorized service centers in Hong Kong and Singapore, both Jet Aviation facilities; and authorized warranty maintenance facilities Metrojet in Hong Kong; ExecuJet in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia; JAMCO in Sendai, Japan; and Air Works in Mumbai, India. Later this year, Jet Aviation plans to open a new maintenance hangar alongside its current maintenance and FBO operation in Singapore. The expanded facility will accommodate up to five of Gulfstream’s largest aircraft, the ultra-large-cabin G650.

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.

“Our Gulfstream Beijing staff has had more than 200 aircraft visits in less than a year-and-a-half of operation,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “CAAC facility certification for our new aircraft, the ultra-long-range, ultra-large-cabin G650 and the super mid-size G280, is expected this year.”