Peter Jackson's Pricey New Plane

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jul 23rd 2010 at 1:02AM

Here's something I didn't know about "Lord of the Rings" director Sir Peter Jackson, he's a plane junkie. New Zealand websites are reporting the Jackson paid around $50 million to pick up a Gulfstream G550. His new plane is able to fly non-stop from Australia to Los Angeles and will replace his older Gulfstream IV which had to make a fueling stop on the way because of its shorter range.

Jackson doesn't just like new planes, he's also a collector of World War I and replica planes and has a company, The Vintage Aviator which constructs and restores military aircraft. Around half of his vintage planes are in flying condition.

The new Gulfstream G550 will be parked in Melbourne instead of Wellington Airport as was originally thought. There was some concern about creating a hangar for the jet on short notice. The salty air in Wellington could damage a plane left sitting out in the open.

The G550 usually accommodates 12 to 16 passengers in leather seats and divans and can sleep five or six passengers. The article says that Jackson makes all the guests on his overnight flights to Hollywood wear pajamas.

Gallery: Celebrity Pilots

Tags: gulfstream 550, Gulfstream550, peter jackson

Filed under: Wings, Celebrity Shopping

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Debbie Jul 24th 2010 10:11PM

Gosh if he can afford that why can't he direct the Hobbit or buy it?

crazydudeguy99 Jul 25th 2010 1:30AM

Peter Jackson is the executive producer of the Hobbit so he does quite literally "own" it and in many ways has more creative control than the director.

al schrader Jul 25th 2010 7:31AM

Ok, so he's gonna fly it maybe 10 times then get bored with it. Works out to five million dollars a flight plus fuel, pilots, taxes, upkeep/storage & FAA scheduled rebuilds.
So six million dollars a flight. Now that's frequent flyer miles.
You can hire a Gulfstream with crew & food & drinks for a lot less & pajamas are allowed. How do I know ? I've prepared the food which includes Tenderloin Beef Medalions, Shrimp platter, Cob Salad, Brownies with shaved white chocolate and more & I've done it for people like Hillary Clinton, Elon Musk, Rudy Guiliani, etc.

Mathew Jul 25th 2010 11:43AM

...such a choice is most likely economic considering how much the man is in demand. I doubt very much he'll use it 10 times and get bored... remember he's a business and his staff also need to be transported. I suggest you keep to preparing food "Al Schrader" and living in other people's shadow.

Deb Jul 24th 2010 10:14PM

Gosh if he can afford all that why doesn't he just buy the Hobbit and direct it himself.?

Bill Jul 25th 2010 6:47PM

The three years I waited to see THE greatest trilogy of all time makes me say
"You've earned it Peter."
Can I have one?

bruce Williams Jul 25th 2010 2:18AM

Whew for a minute there, I thought this news article was going to be one of those in your face articles about conspicuous consumption by the obscenely rich. Glad to see it was a down-to-earth article about a guy who uses his $50 million dollar "spare" plane for pajama parties for the Hollyweird crowd. Thanks for brightening up my day.

BTDT Jul 25th 2010 2:21AM

Last I saw him he was twice that size. What happened?

mike Jul 25th 2010 12:56PM

There is logic in buying the bigger airplane...plus you can bet it will become part of a charter operation when not in use by its owner...these things dont just sit around. Many of the smaller aircraft refuel in HNL duting a flight to OZ. Nothing like going direct...airlines have been doing it for years. I'm jealous though...I work on a much smaller aircraft for a private owner...wish he would go buy the new Glufstream....it really is a superb piece of machinery...great choice Peter Jackson...way to go mate !!!!