Gulfstream Aerospace is one of the most recognized names in the aviation industry, synonymous with high-performance business jets, luxury travel, and medevac and SIGINT aircraft for the military. However, the company’s journey to its present stature was marked by several mergers, acquisitions, and strategic shifts, leading to its current versatility. A key part of its evolution involves the lesser-known but crucial role of American Jet Industries (AJI). In this article, we will explore American Jet Industries' transformation into Gulfstream Aerospace and how it left a lasting legacy in the world of private aviation.
The origins of American Jet Industries
American Jet Industries (AJI) was also a product of mergers and changes that preceded Gulfstream Aerospace. Before becoming AJI, the company was known as California Airmotive Corporation, based in Burbank, California. It was formed by Mr. Allen Paulson, a former Flight Engineer on Trans World Lockheed Constellations who started his career in aviation as an aircraft mechanic and later became a successful entrepreneur. Once he left TWA, he bought his first aircraft engines in 1951, then spare aircraft parts in 1953 that he started reselling to other airlines, and then his first aircraft in 1955. Paulson stripped some old aircraft that were beyond repair for parts and scrapped the rest. In 1958, he started buying larger airline equipment and whole aircraft. During that time, Paulson also bought his first “corporate transport” - a Beech 18. Despite being a CEO with a private plane, he nevertheless continued w