AIG Orders Bombardier Global 5000

Bombardier announced yesterday that American International Group has ordered a Global 5000 business jet for delivery in the first quarter of 2005. In a brief ceremony at the convention yesterday, Capt. Franklin Davis, head of AIG's flight department, signed one of four certificates commemorating the order, with John B. Link, director of its maintenance operations; Peter Edwards, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft; and Chuck Couture, AIG's chief pilot.
A shortened version of the Global Express, the Global 5000 gained its launch customer-TAG Aeronautics-in November 2001. Bombardier is not disclosing the current order position, save to say that AIG's order is but "one of many."

50 Years of Safe Flying at AIG
Fresh from marking its Global 5000 order at NBAA, AIG will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of its flight department, American International Group Aviation, Inc. at Teterboro, N.J., on September 18. Founded with a de Havilland Dove twin-prop and subsequently using a Howard 500, the unit went on to turbines in 1968 when a Dassault Falcon 20 arrived.
It has now grown to a fleet of 11 fixed-wing aircraft, some of which are assigned to subsidiary companies of AIG, such as ILFC and American General. Types include King Air 200, Sabre 65, Citation, Falcon 900EX and 2000, Gulfstream IV and V. Capt. Franklin Davis, who has been with the flight department for half its existence, is seeking a Dove to grace the anniversary celebration next week. Can any NBAA delegate help?

By Paul Jackson