Gulfstream, Embraer Tie for Best Bizjet Product Support

In this year’s AIN Product Support Survey, Embraer and Gulfstream tied for first place in business jet support.The results were released on Friday. Both companies’ support scores dropped to an overall average of 8.1 (out of 10), down from 8.2 for Embraer and 8.3 for Gulfstream in last year’s survey. This is the first time in many years that Gulfstream hasn’t owned the top spot by itself.

Bombardier and Dassault Falcon tied for second place, with an average score of 7.8. Bombardier’s Global and Challenger support jumped to number two from last year’s tie for sixth place, reflecting efforts Bombardier has put into product support. And Dassault’s support for Falcons made a giant leap to number two from last year’s seventh place. Rounding out the jet results were Gulfstream midsize jets, 7.7; Bombardier Learjet, 7.5; Cessna Citation, 7.4; Boeing Business Jets, 7.3; and Hawker Beechcraft, 6.4.

The turboprop segment saw the same rankings as last year, headed by perennial favorite Mitsubishi for its support of the MU-2 at 9.2 (down from 9.4 last year), followed by Pilatus in second place at 7.9. Beechcraft’s support for the King Air fleet garnered a rating of 7.0, down from 7.2 last year. In rotorcraft support, Bell Helicopter again took the top spot, with an average score of 7.2, followed by AgustaWestland, Sikorsky and Airbus Helicopters (née Eurocopter).