For you guitar and aviation nuts

[pukematrix]

I'm not quite sure how I came across this article, but I'll set this right here.

It's an interesting article from Business Jet Traveler Online (yep, that's a thing). A two part interview, first with Kurt Listug and then Bob Taylor. It touches a bit on their history together, how they started, their innovations, and what's next for the company. Of course the focus is really on how they've leveraged business jet travel to support their business.

After doing the charter thing for a number of years, they purchased a used Hawker 850XP around the turn of the century.



They used that mostly for domestic travel, but as the European business picked up and as Bob was traveling more and more to Cameroon and other parts of the world in search of timber, they upgraded to the longer range Gulfstream 450.



I put in a respectable number of miles each year flying domestically and internationally for work. For the long haul flights to the other side of the globe, I've considered myself fortunate that corporate policy permits business class bookings. My overseas flights are usually in the 19-20 hour range, all legs included. That doesn't include the additional hours baked in for layovers, customs, etc. I can generally get some work done on the flight, but by and large travel on that scale can become a productivity killer quick as fatigue sets in.

All that to say, while I'll likely never in a million years (or miles) be in a position to travel in the same rarefied air as Bob and Kurt, I can certainly appreciate why they do it. Time is money, after all.

My favorite part of the interview, though, was when Kurt was asked about naming the company Taylor.

"It’s a great name for an American guitar, don’t you think? Listug? Not so much."

[HHP]

If I was a pro musician or in the business, based on the history, I wouldn't get within 10 miles of a small or private plane.

[philo426]

Those wings are mighty thin,where are the fuel tanks?What is the range (with safety margins)?

[pukematrix]

HHP - I'm not going to deny it, the same thing entered my mind. Considering that the lowest bidder often wins the maintenance contract would give me sufficient pause, I think.

philo426 - No sure on the fuel tank question. I don't consider myself that well informed on the technical ins and outs, though I do enjoy the occasional aviation topic that comes up here on occasion. Quickly available information the range, though, has the G450 with a range of ~5K miles with eight passengers and three crew at .80 mach. Capable of an altitude of 44K feet.

[valleyguy]

Business aviation has come a long way since the days of Buddy Holly's flight. Flying in these aircraft is as safe as general aviation flights. They get the best pilots and the best maintenance. If you can afford a $40 million plane, you're not going to scrimp on maintenance or pilot salaries.

[valleyguy]

Just read the article and this quote jumped out at me:

Well, we have great respect for Martin, but we are different. They build East Coast-style guitars. We build West Coast-style guitars.

WHAT?

[HodgdonExtreme]

Originally Posted by HHP

If I was a pro musician or in the business, based on the history, I wouldn't get within 10 miles of a small or private plane.

Just stay away from Beechcraft and you'll be pretty much ok...

Especially the Bonanza:

[philo426]

Yes combining the horizontal stabs and rudder made for an unstable air frame.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by HodgdonExtreme

Just stay away from Beechcraft and you'll be pretty much ok...

Especially the Bonanza:

Wow, new 'V' bracing tail-plane!

[Ozzy the dog]

Originally Posted by HHP

If I was a pro musician or in the business, based on the history, I wouldn't get within 10 miles of a small or private plane.

Much rather have something like this



Driven by this guy

[ManyMartinMan]

Just have John Travolta shuttle you in his 727.

[6L6]

Neil’s flying has all been by private jet since the late 60’s. He flew to Woodstock in a Learjet. It’s worked out fine for him.

[Bluside]

Originally Posted by ManyMartinMan

Just have John Travolta shuttle you in his 727.

I believe he has a B-707.

[HHP]

Originally Posted by Ozzy the dog

Much rather have something like this



Driven by this guy

I think naming your plane "Book of Souls" is just asking for it. If I had to have one, I'd call it the "Eternal Condor" or the "Flying Angel" or something.

[Fogducker]

I'm an incurable "old school" man! Stinson, Luscombe, Taylorcraft, Aeronca, Piper airplanes Schleicher and Schweizer gliders, floats-wheels-skis and gliding! Guitars? Acoustic all the way, Martin, Gibson, Greven, Glyph ukes. Maybe I'm in the wrong thread!

Fog