Random Gulfstream photo #36

Classic Gulfstreams at Luton are few and far between these days. It was therefore nice to hear that G3 N818EC (399) arrived this morning from Venice. I believe that the last G3 to visit here was back in March 2017. Today's arrival was caught by Dave Lythgoe.

It departed to Milan on the Friday and my shot can be seen at the usual Flickr link.

Random Gulfstream photo #33

Hope you're not getting too bored with these random pictures coming along more frequently now. Another of those "had to use it pics". This time from my good friend John Lythgoe of G650 M-AAAL (6279) arriving at Luton from Geneva today. Some lovely winter sunshine.

Round-up 25/12

Suppose I'd better start by wishing all my readers a Happy Christmas and a great 2019. Am fairly confident there will be plenty of Gulfstreams and news in the next 12 months.
But now, back to business. G650 N640GA (6340) flew from Appleton to Savannah on the 18th and returned to Appleton on the 20th suggesting a delivery may not be far away. How long it will take to report this is anyone's guess with the current US Government shutdown which has taken the FAA register with it. Looked like G650 N650TY (6109) was being re-delivered to Portland on the 19th but returned to Long Beach on the 20th. It departed LGB on the 22nd heading to Guam and then onwards to Manila the following day. G500 N5GG (72014) was delivered Savannah-Teterboro-Boston on the 19th to become the 9th delivery of the type. G500 N518GD (72018) did flights from Savannah to White Plains and back on the 19th and I understand took up it's registration of N188SW and was delivered to White Plains on the 21st to become the 10th delivered. Also on the 19th (a busy day for sure) G280 N965GA (2165) ferried from Tel Aviv to Belfast. It positioned down to Luton the following day for some TLC. It attempted to depart on the 22nd but had to return. Still present as I write.

N965GA seen departing Luton on the 22nd by John Lythgoe



New British G650 delivered

G650ER G-DSMR (6329) arrived at Luton this morning on delivery. It departed Savannah last night and stopped off briefly at Ronaldsway (IOM). It is believed this will be a replacement for G-REFO (6075) which is now with it's new owner as N724AG. It was caught by John Lythgoe shortly after landing.



Round-up 6/3

3 G650 deliveries this last week. N1040 (6294) delivered to Cox Aviation on or about the 1st. They will now have operated at least 1 example of each of the 6 generations of Gulfstreams (thanks to FKL for this snippet). 6293 was cancelled to the Caymans on the 1st and became VP-CJH. Delivered to Hong Kong via Anchorage. 6292 was cancelled to the Isle of Man on the 3rd to become M-JSWB which is believed to be based in China. G650 N620GD (6320) departed Savannah on the 5th for Long Beach as GLF46. Looks like G550 N573GD (5573) flew for the first time on the 20th. Closer to home, the 200th different G650 has now visited Luton. In fact the 201st and 202nd arrived shortly after.

VP-BOT arriving Luton on the 3rd to become the 201st here. Pic by John Lythgoe



5 years of G650 service

5 years ago today, the first 2 G650s were delivered to customers. N711SW (6007) to Steve Wynn and N100A (6010) to Exxon Mobil. Both are cherished registrations and have been carried by G2s about 40 years ago. The 280th G650 should deliver imminently which means that deliveries are averaging out at about 1 a week! Long may this continue.

N711SW was the first G650 to visit Luton back in February 2013. Believe 192 different frames have visited now. N100A was seen at Zurich in January 2014 but was first seen here the year before. Thanks, as always, to FK Larkin for his input with this post.



Catbird Gulfstreams

"Catbird" is the callsign of the personal transport of the Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH) US Navy. Based at NAS Sogonella in Sicily with VR-1 squadron. The first use of this goes back 60 years when the aircraft used was an R4D. It then transferred to a C-131 (141020 was a regular in Northolt in the 70s) and then to P-3 Orion. In 2004, delivery was taken of an ex Air Force machine 30500 (382) with the registration carried being abbreviated to 500. This was retired in 2014 and replaced by C-20G 165151 (1199) which is current. The badge carried was designed by an artist from Walt Disney so a copyright to this effect has to be included.

165151 at Southampton last week by Antony Pratt

via milart.com

830500 departing Luton in May 2012



Another upgrade

Have been sent a shot of G650 N662GA (6262) landing at Long Beach yesterday by Michael Carter. This has been seen here previously carrying N313RG. This registration is current on G5 (504) but has N315RG reserved. The old N315RG on G550 (5262) has already gone to N312RG. Confused?

G5 N313RG seen at Luton in August 2010



Saudi G4 fleet departs

5 of the 6 Gulfstream 4s operated by Saudia have recently been transferred to Jet Midwest, probably for parting out as the oldest is nearly 30 years old. HZ-AFU (1031) became N431TL, HZ-AFV (1035) to N435TF, HZ-AFX (1143) to N143PK, HZ-AFY (1166) to N166JM and HZ-MFL (1128) to N428BC. This just leaves HZ-AFW (1038). These have now been replaced by Falcon 7Xs.

HZ-MFL in June 2008 and HZ-AFX in September 2006. Both at Luton.

Pendley Aviation upgrades

Pendley Aviation, based at Luton, have said goodbye to their G200 G-ZZOO (163) which departed to St. Johns in Canada on 19th April and subsequently became N163GA. It has been traded in for brand new G450 G-ULFM (4359) which has just been registered to them and should appear shortly. Hope to post a pic once it arrives but in the meantime ...

G-ZZOO departing Luton in 2015



Random Gulfstream photo #11

G3 N270MC (374) returned to Luton today from Amsterdam and was caught by John Lythgoe. It has also visited Birmingham and Liverpool lately as well as Luton last week. Con 374 was originally delivered to Dow Jones & Co. as N122DJ in 1983, replacing a G2 with the same registration.



Last G150 ferried to the States

IAI Gulfstream G150 N126GA (326) arrived at Luton last Wednesday (15th) from Belfast. It departed today to Shannon and Halifax en route to Dallas for completion. It was caught overnight by Westleigh Bushell sitting on stand 54. This is the 126th G150 and is believed to be the last one as no higher G150s appear on the US register.



Chinese market share of G650

There are currently 26 G650s based in China (including Hong Kong and Macau). There are a further 14 based in the Far East which represents about a fifth of all G650s delivered to date. This is therefore a vitally important market for the folks at Savannah. This figure is sure to increase this year. VP-CCW (6122) was caught by Keith Blackham at Luton earlier this week returning to Hong Kong.



200th G650 in service

G650 N650XA (6201) which is actually the 201st G650 built arrived at Luton this morning. It is operated by Aramco and was caught departing to Paris Le Bourget by Dave Lythgoe. Aramco's 2nd G650 N651XA (6211) should join the fleet in the next few months.



Random Gulfstream photo #4

Another great picture worth sharing here. This shot of G450 N71GE (4302) was taken by Antony Pratt at Luton at the end of December last year. Seen arriving from Le Bourget. My 100th post to this blog.