411A, I was thinking about something you put in an earlier post, and that was to have 5 pilots total (instead of 6). I agree with you about hours, as I'd like to see the pilots get about 300-400 hours each per year.
I'd like to see the 757 pilots get at least 120 hours per year each on that aircraft, as I'd feel safer knowing that they were not only current in their training, but current in their experience. Consequently I might have to limit the number of pilots who are dual qualified for that reason. I'll just have to think about the 757 pilot situation further, as I think that aircraft will only fly about 20 hours a month.
You know I'm glad I'm taking the time now to work through the pilot issues, because it's gotten a little more involved than I expected, but I really want a very satisfactory arrangement for all concerned and it's been worth the effort.
On the GV, I like the parameters of the aircraft and feel that it's exactly what I need. However Rolls-Royce and Gulfstream are going to have to get their act together on this aircraft, or I'm going to have to make another choice. I'm not going to put up with the maintenance problems it's currently having.
I honestly don't understand the management at Gulfstream. If I owned Gulfstream, I'd have the engineers all over the issues with this aircraft. There are a lot reasons to take care of these problems now, but one main reason is the impact on future sales of the GVSP if these issues are not corrected soon. Gulfstream also has a direct competitor in the GLEX that they're going to lose market share to, if they don't deal with these problems. If I owned Gulfstream, solving the GV problems would be the number one priority, but they're distracted right now with the development of the GVSP, the development of an enhanced GIVSP, the acquisition of Galaxy Aerospace, and the market exploration of a supersonic jet. It's hard to have a future if you can't take care of the present, but I digress.
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Safe flying to you...
[This message has been edited by Flight Safety (edited 21 June 2001).]