Scott Neal Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales-Gulfstream Aerospace

Customers have become increasingly interested in features of the cabin environment that enhance health and wellness. Gulfstream leads the industry in providing a healthy cabin experience with 100% fresh, never recirculated air, low cabin altitudes, whisper-quiet noise levels and an abundance of natural light thanks to Gulfstream’s large, panoramic windows. Gulfstream has recently added even more enhancements to the signature Gulfstream Cabin Experience with an air ionization system. Gulfstream’s plasma ionization system, which operates whenever the aircraft environmental control system is active, works by emitting positive and negative oxygen ions that actively seek out and inactivate harmful molecules in the air and on surfaces.Click here to add your own text

Scott Neal

My name is Enes Kocatopcu and this year I graduated from Eskişehir Technical University, from the Department of Aviation Management. During my university education, my aim was to learn and improve myself by accessing knowledge and by questioning, and to also mutually benefit from sharing what I learned with my social and professional environment. During my time at the university, I volunteered for various scientific research teams and student clubs. Gaining knowledge is a precious journey, and I recently had the opportunity to have a conversation with an industry executive in the first edition of “Business Cockpit” Interviews which gave me a glimpse into the field of aviation. I learned some new information and valuable insights about the future of aviation which I am pleased to share.

Before I share the interview, let me provide background on how this interview series came to be. During my last year at university, I met Mr Can Erel, who is known for his military and civil aviation activities, but especially for his efforts and dedication to training and mentoring aviators of the future as aeronautical engineers. We held meetings to participate in the @ Team project, which was planned and implemented at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. A few weeks later, I learned that Mr Erel was planning remote business conversations with aviation decision-makers under the title “Business Cockpit”. He intended to prepare this project with a task group consisting of young aviators preparing to take part in the industry, and I became a volunteer candidate. After the necessary evaluations, I was very happy when I learned that I had been selected as the first member of that task group, as a fresh graduate from the Department of Aviation Management and the Vice President of the School’s Civil Aviation Club.

During our frequent meetings with Mr Erel, he highlighted that air cargo, business jets, air ambulances, and general / sports aviation are areas that have serious development potential in the aviation industry, significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. . I know that Can Erel was a member of the team to create the idea and strategize of my aviation school. During our meetings, he has stated that the concept of the “Global Economy” and its impact area would change with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said “Design and Production” oriented changes would occur in aviation as in every field, that the volume of business jets would grow more than expected. He wished to supply and put business jets into service with mobile EMS kits and start operating them in our country if he had enough capital. He then shared his idea of “Business Cockpit Interviews”. We wanted our first interview to be on the subject of business jets and to associate it with China, which has the most significant development potential on a global scale, and it is one of the most ambitious regions in the field of “Design and Manufacturing.”

I was given full support in this activity from my esteemed mentors; Mr Hakan Çağlayan, Körfez Aviation Manager for business, and Dr Ferhan Kuyucak Şengür, Professor, Department of Aviation Management of Eskisehir Technical University.

When we contacted Gulfstream Aerospace China General Manager Mr Bin Zhang and with his positive response to the questions, we had prepared, the scope of our first e-interview finalized. I focused on this theme in my research afterwards. Our research showed that there are a total of 13 Gulfstream business jets in Turkey consisting of 1 G450 and 3 G550s used by operators in general aviation, and 1 G-IV, 1 G150, 4 G450s, 2 G550s, and 1 G650 in the air taxi field used by seven operators. We conducted a detailed review of Gulfstream Aerospace company and its products in this field. The company has been developing its product range, placing particular importance on technological superiority. I had the pleasure of conducting an e-interview with Mr Scott Neal, the Vice President of the company responsible for global sales, after the midterm review silence of Gulfstream, a subsidiary of General Dynamics. The anticipated developments in the field of business jets attracted my attention also in this interview. I would like to thank Mr Zhang, the company’s corporate communications managers, and of course Mr Neal and my mentors who made this interview possible. We wish you a pleasant reading!

Enes Kocatopcu (EK): Before the pandemic, how would you evaluate the business jet industry? What were the global trends in the business jet industry at that time?

Scott Neal (SN): Gulfstream entered the pandemic with an innovative product line, strong business and a great deal of interest in our products around the world, all of which have helped us weather the crisis. We are in a strong position thanks to our geographically diverse distribution of products, our unmatched customer service and our outstanding support. As far as trends, business-jet customers around the world are showing an increased interest in the ultralong range, large-cabin aircraft Gulfstream offers – the G500, G600, G650, G650ER and G700. This portfolio provides a compelling mix of range capabilities at high speeds, so customers can choose an aircraft that best fits their mission requirements. We also see continued interest in our super-midsize G280 for customers who need a nimble aircraft for shorter trips and one that can access hard to- reach airports and does so with the performance features of a large-cabin aircraft.

EK: How has COVID-19 affected the Business Jet Industry? How would you evaluate this effect on operators and private ownership?

SN: The COVID-19 crisis and its impact on travel really make the case for business aviation. Business jet operators and passengers have much more control over schedules and routes as well as health and safety when travelling on a private jet.

EK: What has changed in the customer experience during COVID-19? In terms of customer experience, what changes do you expect in the business jet industry post- COVID-19?

SN: Customers have become increasingly interested in features of the cabin environment that enhance health and wellness. Gulfstream leads the industry in providing a healthy cabin experience with 100% fresh, never recirculated air, low cabin altitudes, whisper-quiet noise levels and an abundance of natural light thanks to Gulfstream’s large, panoramic windows. Gulfstream has recently added even more enhancements to the signature Gulfstream Cabin Experience with an air ionization system. Gulfstream’s plasma ionization system, which operates whenever the aircraft environmental control system is active, works by emitting positive and negative oxygen ions that actively seek out and inactivate harmful molecules in the air and on surfaces.

The plasma system is available as a retrofit on the Gulfstream G650 and G650ER, G550, G450 and GV models, with additional installation options pending foreign certification. International certifications are currently in development.

EK: Does Gulfstream plan to expand its service network (maintenance centre) geographically?

SN: Over the past few years, Gulfstream Customer Support has been expanding significantly around the world, and we have recently seen a number of new service centre openings. In July, our new service centre in Farnborough, England, opened, following U.S.- based expansions in Savannah, Georgia; Van Nuys, California; and Appleton, Wisconsin.

These new expansions allow us to enhance service opportunities for our customers and construct even bigger hangars to accommodate the large-cabin Gulfstream aircraft that are in high demand around the world. The new facility at Gulfstream Farnborough, for example, can accommodate up to 13 G650, G650ER or G700 aircraft, once the G700 enters service.

EK: What do you think the most important difference is between you and your competitors?

SN: Gulfstream is a financially strong company, thanks to the backing of our parent company, General Dynamics. With General Dynamics’ support, Gulfstream has consistently invested in research and development which has allowed us to bring new technologies to the industry. The G500, G600 and G700 are the latest results of that research and development and feature the Symmetry Flight Deck, the most technologically advanced flight deck in the industry, with the only electronically linked active control sidesticks, most extensive use of touchscreen technology and the most robust data concentration network. These are all great safety differentiators for pilots and passengers.

EK: Is there a new Gulfstream aircraft model project in the near or far future?

SN: Our focus is to continue to deliver our outstanding products around the world, increasing deliveries of the G500 and G600 and continuing to progress the flight-test program of the new industry flagship G700.

EK: What would you say about the business jet industry in Turkey?

SN: Gulfstream has seen good interest from potential and existing customers in Turkey and is optimistic about the growth of the business-jet industry in the region. The market has responded well to Gulfstream’s large-cabin, long- and ultralong-range aircraft offerings.

EK: Do you have any advice for the business jet industry in Turkey?

SN: As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect the business-jet industry to see interest in flying privately increase. It’s important to continue to innovate and ensure a solid support system and access for operators in the years to come

Scott Neal has been senior vice president of Worldwide Sales since 2011. Before that, he was a top Gulfstream sales executive in the Eastern and Central United States sales regions. In his earlier years at Gulfstream, Neal served in the pre-owned aircraft sales and sales engineering groups. Prior to joining Gulfstream, Neal held positions of increasing responsibility at Raytheon Corporate Jets and British Aerospace Inc.