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Greg Norman Orders Boeing Business Jet The announcement was made at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Md. The hotel is located near the Congressional Country Club, which this week hosts the 1997 U.S. Open -- one of golf's four major championships. "I'm very impressed with the capability of the Boeing Business Jet," Norman said. "The aircraft's interior space and range are suited for my needs." Boeing Business Jets President Borge Boeskov said the order announcement is a significant milestone for the Boeing business venture. "Adding Greg Norman to our growing list of customers is as exciting as making a hole-in-one," he said. "We're thrilled that Greg has chosen the Boeing Business Jet as the solution to his business travel needs." The business jet, derived from the Next-Generation 737-700, will offer new dimensions in corporate air travel, including an 807-square-foot cabin interior -- nearly three times as spacious as conventional corporate jets. The versatile interior can be configured to provide space for offices, meeting rooms, individual work spaces, a private suite with a lavatory and shower, an exercise suite and an advanced satellite communications suite. Boeskov also announced that Norman will serve in an ambassadorial role for Boeing Business Jets and the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group. In this role, he will participate in a variety of sales, advertising and promotional activities. "We are extremely honored and proud to be associated with Greg Norman. He's a person of great integrity and character, and he will be a wonderful spokesperson for our company," Boeskov said. "His sphere of business interests and relationships are perfectly suited to further Boeing Business Jets' business development initiatives worldwide." In addition to the order from Norman, Boeskov reported that Boeing Business Jets has sold 14 additional jets so far this year, increasing the official business jet order total to 18. In addition to his international tournament schedule, Norman's interests in golf course design, property development, licensing, equipment manufacturing and distribution require Norman to travel approximately 250,000 miles per year (roughly equivalent to circumnavigating the earth 10 times). "These days, I'm as active in business as I am on the golf course," Norman said. "Boeing Business Jets have the space and flexibility that will allow me and my business team to travel anywhere in the world with just one stop, while allowing us to use our time efficiently -- arriving rested, refreshed and ready to go." Boeing and GE formed the joint venture month 2, 1996, to respond to the market demand for a larger, more versatile business airplane that can fly roughly 7,000 miles (more than 6,000 nautical miles or 11,000 kilometers). The airplane will cruise at speeds up to .82 Mach, equivalent to a ground speed of 550 miles per hour, and will be able to serve such routes as New York to Tokyo and London to Johannesburg. It will be powered by the world's best-selling engine, the CFM56, produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of GE and Snecma of France. The price of a Boeing Business Jet is $30.5 million (1995$). This price will rise to $32 million after month 1, 1997, when a Flight Dynamics Head-Up Guidance System (HGS®) and a second HF radio are included as part of the airplane's basic equipment package. Boeing Commercial Airplane Group will provide airplanes to Boeing Business Jets, which then will deliver them to a customer-selected completion center for interior installation and paint. Norman is scheduled to take delivery of the aircraft late next year. He said he has not yet selected a completion center. Boeskov said his organization is involved in contract negotiations with several other potential customers and that additional order announcements can be expected soon. |
