Gulfstream Aerospace has made refinements to the computer-based business aircraft ownership evaluation tool–called the Ownership Experience Index–that it introduced at last year’s NBAA Convention in Orlando, Fla. Allan Baylis, Gulfstream sales engineer, was on hand at Gulfstream’s LABACE exhibit in São Paulo, Brazil, in March to show attendees how to use the program to help identify the business jet that provides the best value for their particular needs–which may or may not be a Gulfstream airplane. Gulfstream’s customer advisory board recommended many of the refinements, he said.
The tool expands on the traditional value index factors that include range, cabin volume, speed, balanced field length and price. Added are numerous other parameters grouped under “technology” (Does the airplane have a HUD, enhanced vision system, advanced integrated avionics? What is its Mmo, max flight level, cabin pressurization altitude, noise ratings, engine shutdown rate and so on?); “service and support” (How many company-owned and authorized service centers and tech reps are available? Does the OEM have a customer advisory board?); and “cost of ownership” (What is the direct operating cost, residual value, dispatch reliability, TBOs, warranty periods, etc?). Many parameters require a value judgment on the part of the program user. Gulfstream sales engineers and marketing people had to make some arbitrary decisions when rating certain items (for example, Gulfstream’s PlaneView cockpit compared with Falcon’s EASy avionics), but the user is free to adjust these ratings to his or her own preference or judgment.
