You Can't Cut The Line For A G650, The $65 Million Private Jet Billionaires Are Drooling Over

Business Insider ^ | 6/26/13 | Alex Davies

[LibWhacker]

For more than two years, there's been speculation about who is lining up for the Gulfstream G650, the new private jet that has quickly become one of the most impressive aircraft in the skies today.

In 2011, the New York Post reported Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffet, and Ralph Lauren were all lining up to drop $65 million on the jet.

But for those who are just looking to get on the list now, the next available plane won't be delivered until 2017 — and there's no way to jump the line, Gulfstream says.

"You are not allowed to sell your position," communications head Steve Cass said in an interview at the Paris Air Show.

Customers sign a contract that includes a non-assignability clause, he explained. Of course, you are allowed to sell the G650 once you take delivery, but "if we get any indication that you sold, or were conspiring to sell the aircraft beforehand, we will take remedy to that," Cass said. "We do not want speculators in the marketplace."

[Gay State Conservative]

I may be in the minority but if I was a billionaire the only type of aircraft I’d ever want is a single engine Piper Cub that I could cruise around in on a nice day.My Dad,a child of the Depression,taught me many valuable lessons...one of the most important...one of the most valuable...of which is “live below your means”.He did...and I do.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Sage advice.

[llevrok]

but if I was a billionaire.....

Were I a billionaire, I'd definitely use private jets (I used to fly commercial 150,000 miles a year and hate airports, commercial flying with a passion after 25 years of that)

But I'd lease rather than buy if the numbers worked even close in that favor.

[A.A. Cunningham]

[clintonh8r]

I never play the lottery, but when asked what I would buy if I ever did win, I always say that I’d buy a private jet. That would probably be the only purchase I’d make that would be somewhat life-changing.

[Jane Long]

Wonder if Rush has one on order. Or Beck...since he just surpassed El Rushbo...and The Oprah, on the Forbes list.

[Cementjungle]

My cousin recently got to ride on his new son-in-law's private jet from Santa Barbara to San Francisco. I found it interesting that while waiting at the hangar for a minor mechanical issue to be resolved, he saw Harry Reid arrive on a private jet, and walk off with his golf clubs.

It's nice that our public servants fly around on private jets.

[Rokurota]

What’s the cost of just keeping one of these? Hangar fees, maintenance etc...?

[peridot]

Rush talked about this several weeks ago. Said he was given a private tour at the local airport and was vey impressed. Seemed to indicate he would stick with his old one.

[Theoria]

I think rush has a 550, he was pretty stoked about that. But, I wouldn’t be surprised if he got the 650 he was raving about it a few weeks ago.

[taildragger]

I get the impression Rush ordered one eon’s ago. FWIW, I got to ride aboard a GIII and I think it had the winglet upgrade. What an amazing way to get around. But like the gent said, live below your means....

[ThomasThomas]

So if 65 million isn’t below the means of a billionaire?

[SPI-Man]

As they say, “if you have to ask you can’t afford it”
I have not been in the business for 12 years, but we used to use a rule of thumb of $1,000 per operating hour plus crew, plus maintenance, plus other misc items. Of course if you lease the price will vary and the variance in cost between the smallest least costly “private jet” and a Gulfstream will astonish you.

All that said, I thank God that for 30 years there were people willing to pay the price so I could earn a living.

Additionally, my memory isn’t what it used to be so I could be WAY off from the numbers others might have seen. That comes with breathing in way too much jet fuel fumes!

And although Gulfstreams are excellent aircraft and American made, I believe the French have built the most beautiful and well engineered series of aircraft with the Falcon family from Dassault. I love them.

[Gay State Conservative]

It’s about 6.5% of a billionaire’s net worth.Anothet factor that I failed to mention is that shiney objects don’t impress me.For example...I’m perfectly happy with my $30 Casio watch despite the fact that I could afford something noticeably more expensive (as can 99% of Freepers).

[BatGuano]

The J-3 Cub was the first airplane that I flew. After 7 years in the Air Force and 33 years of Airline flying and owning and flying an Aztec for 10 years, I agree with you.

Just a single engine light plane to fly around the flag pole!

[Bobalu]

Another Grumman plane, much older than the Grumman G650 would IMO be a lot more fun.

The Grumman Albatross

[GOP Poet]

I do so love shiny things ;). However it doesn’t stop me from loving and befriend those who are otherwise less interested. Variety is the spice of life for this girl. The air can get pretty rarified in the ‘shiny things’ world.

[primatreat]

I am not a billionaire but I hated airports myself. Started a business in ‘71 and used my GI bill to get my commercial, multi and instrument ticket and picked up a Meyers 200 D. For twenty five years if flew into airports to the general aviation area and never stood in line, etc. Flew out early and left late. Accumulated 4000 hours in that time period. Now I hate to go to and airport and be treated like a “gob of snot” by the goons. I retired!

[DCBryan1]

Id rather have a PBY Catalina with live .50 BMGs on it ;)