Gulfstream Aerospace has reported selling a record number of aircraft to international customers in 2000. International sales were particularly strong for the Gulfstream V and new Gulfstream V-SP.

The company moved its international sales headquarters to Farnborough, UK in late 1999 and has since been steadily increasing its sales force – an additional sales person in soon to be placed in Europe.

The company has also reached a milestone in the development schedule of the Gulfstream V-SP with the start of the flight test aircraft modification programme. The test aircraft will be the primary certification platform for the Gulfstream V-SP’s ‘Plane View’ cockpit suite.

“We are making excellent progress with the GV-SP programme and we remain on schedule for a first test-article flight in the fourth quarter of 2001,” said Pres Henne, senior vp of programs.

The company expects FAA certification followed by JAA verification of the GV-SP in the fourth quarter of 2002. The first customer delivery is planned for 2003.