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Gulfstream Aerospace has celebrated the 55th anniversary of the first Gulfstream I (GI) flight. The twin-engine turboprop was the first aircraft specifically designed and built for business travel.
“The GI laid the foundation for the state-of-the-art Gulfstream business jets that we deliver to customers today,” said Gulfstream’s president Larry Flynn. “The GI, which was created by our predecessor, Grumman Aircraft Engineering Co., was ahead of its time in many respects, including performance, comfort, versatility and reliability. More than 50 of these aircraft are still in operation around the world, a testament to the aircraft’s tremendous reliability.”
The company delivered 200 GIs between 1958 and 1969, when production ceased. The aircraft was used by many US corporations for business travel, but also saw service with five US government agencies and all branches of the US armed forces. Several of the first Gulfstream aircraft were later converted into commuter airliners.
“The GI is a very important part of our history,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president sales and marketing. “It laid the foundation for what has turned into a long and successful line of business jets. Today, we have more than 2,100 aircraft in service and our in-production fleet – the G650, G550, G450, G280 and G150 – comprises the industry’s safest, most reliable and technologically advanced aircraft.”
