Spain's Executive Airlines reports complete satisfaction with G150 dispatch reliability, maintenance and support. "The G150, along with the other Gulfstream models, has the highest dispatch reliability index among all the jets we operate," the company says. "The best features are product quality and performance.

"The worst feature of the configuration is that the G150 does not have a door to separate the cabin crew from the passengers. This is an aspect which is important in charter services to enable passengers to enjoy privacy." The G200, Executive Airlines points out, has this door. But Executive Airlines stresses overall satisfaction. "The G150 has excellent product characteristics as well as performance. It also has a significant range and is capable of easily reaching all European destinations. The G150 is an excellent jet relative to its performance and price."

Austria's Avcon Jet is among operators reporting a high degree of satisfaction with the G150 although it does point out that baggage space can be a problem. The company says: "The best features on the G150 include the wide cabin and cleverly thought through layout as well as the high cruise speed over the range. A drawback of the G150 is the overall size of the baggage compartment. There is only 80 cubic feet which means that customers going for a short round of golf and a shopping trip to Milan or Paris will be able to buy the whole collection but might have to leave the extra golf bag at home."

But Avcon Jet is happy with the maintenance, the dispatch reliability and the operating capability. It says: "To date the maintenance items have been undertaken as pre-planned in the appropriate guidelines. The actual intervals are satisfactory for the aircraft size and we have not seen any unscheduled events crop up."

The company praises the dispatch reliability. "So far, yes, we are happy, very much so. The aircraft is performing to our very high expec-tations. This point is probably one of the most critical for commercial operation, as we must be able to rely on the fact that the aircraft can and will fly when we deem fit for it to do so. Fortunately Avcon Jet has a large fleet and would, in the event of a problem, be able to rely on an appropriate substitute aircraft to undertake the mission, but we have not had to undertake this step to date."

The G150, Avcon says, very much fits its mid-range, midsize fleet criteria. "Most of the flights on the G150 are undertaken between 500 nm and 2,000 nm, which is the range where this specific aircraft is able to shine, especially when customers require specifically large cabin configurations."

Other EBAN readers report they are generally satisfied or very satisfied with the Astra/G100's dispatch reliability, operating capability and value, although 25 per cent of respondents would welcome improvements in the global reach of support and this is promised by Gulfstream (see manufacturer's comment below).

Holger Obst of Vibro Air Flugservice agrees with the verdict of Executive Airlines when considering his own Astra SP. "The most desirable upgrade for the G100, the G150, is already on the market," he says. His analysis accurately sums up the general opinion of Astra/G100's owner and operator respondents to the EBAN aircraft satisfaction survey. "We are very satisfied with the maintenance support. There is great customer service by the manufacturer and service centre. The dispatch reliability is very satisfactory. Although the aircraft is old it has very good reliability." There is also satisfaction with the operating capability. "The Astra/G100 has a good range and speed although the engines are not optimal for hot and high conditions. I am satisfied with the value. The best thing is the 0.82 Mach speed and the range that enables 2,000 nm to be accomplished without problem. The worst thing is the smaller cabin compared to other mid-size competitors."

All respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with the dispatch reliability. "The G100 has proved very reliable. We have one instance of AOG and for the age of the aircraft we are very happy," says one respondent.

He is one of the minority unhappy with maintenance support. "It is difficult to find a suitable facility for the aircraft. They are far from base and getting support is difficult. EASA regulations make it highly difficult to operate in this environment. "Only by implementing a combination of JSSI and contracted engineer do we support our operation. But I am very satisfied with the dispatch reliability.

"The aircraft performs very well. The combination of good range and high and efficient cruise levels makes it very attractive for our long range flights. From our base we can reach anywhere in Europe without refuelling and with four passengers.

"The owners are impressed and their expectations on the aircraft have been met. It is fast, efficient and has a very quiet cabin. But landing and take-off performance makes it difficult to operate into certain airports."

Manufacturer's comment

Gulfstream is delighted to learn of the positive survey responses of owners and operators to the G150. The G150 is the result of a significant number of changes recommended by owners and operators of the G100 who were part of a formal Gulfstream customer advisory team, an offshoot of Gulfstream's customer advisory board.

It is heartening to hear that the recommendations they made, and which we incorporated in the new G150, are being so well received. The G100 is no longer in production. It was replaced by the G150 more than two years ago. Since then we have also announced the new G250, which will enter service in 2011. With respect to maintenance and service, the recent acquisition by our parent company, General Dynamics, of Jet Aviation should add to our ability to provide improved service around the world.