DUDE, WHERE’S MY RECESSION? (CONT’D) I don’t think it’s online anywhere, but I just got my latest Aviation Week and here’s a report that suggests things aren’t too slow:

G650 Customers Wait in Line

Gulfstream’s planned output of 83 G650 business jets in the first 2.5 years of production is oversubscribed by a factor of six to seven, says parent company General Dynamics. Gulfstream began accepting $500,000 refundable deposits on the new $58.5 million ultra-long-range jet on April 15, signing time-stamped letters of intent with customers that it is now working through to convert to orders.

Seems like this is one of the first places a business could cut back. Am I wrong?

UPDATE: Maybe. A reader emails:

The G-650 is an awesome airplane, and it fits a market niche that currently has no competition. In re:
recession, the Gulfstream customer generally doesn’t worry too much about recessions, so I’m not sure if it’s a good indicator. I don’t imagine Ferrari is feeling much of the pinch of any recession either.

One thing to mention though, the G-650 will have a lower carbon impact than any other large corporate jet. Maybe we can sign Al Gore up for one!

I can’t speak for Al, but if Gulfstream wants to lend me one, I promise to blog evenhandedly about the experience. I could use a lift for my next dive trip!

UPDATE: The full story is online now. Thanks, AvWeek!