GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP
424B4, 1998-05-13
AIRCRAFT
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<PAGE>
                                                Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4)
                                                      Registration No. 333-50555


                               18,000,000 SHARES
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                        GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORPORATION
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                           (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
 
                            ------------------------
 
    Of the 18,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered, 14,400,000 shares are
being offered hereby in the United States and 3,600,000 shares are being offered
in a concurrent international offering outside the United States. The initial
public offering price and the aggregate underwriting discount per share will be
identical for both offerings. See "Underwriting".
 
    All of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being sold by the
Selling Stockholders. See "Selling Stockholders". The Company will not receive
any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares.
 
    The last reported sale price of the Common Stock, which is listed under the
symbol "GAC," on the New York Stock Exchange on May 12, 1998 was $43.00 per
share. See "Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy".
 
    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 12 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK.
                             ---------------------
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
      EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
         PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
             REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               INITIAL PUBLIC          UNDERWRITING               PROCEEDS TO
                                               OFFERING PRICE           DISCOUNT(1)         SELLING STOCKHOLDERS(2)
                                            ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------------
<S>                                         <C>                    <C>                    <C>
Per Share.................................         $43.00                  $1.50                    $41.50
Total(3)..................................      $774,000,000            $27,000,000              $747,000,000
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
    Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
    Securities Act of 1933.
 
(2) Estimated expenses of approximately $1,500,000 are payable by the Company.
 
(3) The Selling Stockholders have granted the U.S. Underwriters an option for 30
    days to purchase up to an additional 2,160,000 shares at the initial public
    offering price per share, less the underwriting discount, solely to cover
    over-allotments. Additionally, the Selling Stockholders have granted the
    International Underwriters a similar option to purchase up to an additional
    540,000 shares, as part of the concurrent international offering. If such
    options are exercised in full, the total initial public offering price,
    underwriting discount, and proceeds to the Selling Stockholders will be
    $890,100,000, $31,050,000 and $859,050,000, respectively. See
    "Underwriting".
                            ------------------------
 
    The shares offered hereby are offered severally by the U.S. Underwriters, as
specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their
right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that the shares
will be ready for delivery in New York, New York, on or about May 18, 1998
against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
 
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
 
                      MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
 
                                            MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
 
                            ------------------------
 
                  The date of this Prospectus is May 12, 1998.
<PAGE>
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (the "Company") is subject to the
informational requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy
statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed
by the Company may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices located at Northwestern
Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and
7 World Trade Center, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such
materials may also be obtained upon written request from the Public Reference
Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20549, at
prescribed rates. The Commission also maintains a Web Site at http://
www.sec.gov, which contains reports and other information regarding registrants
that file electronically with the Commission. In addition, such material may
also be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
(the "NYSE"), 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which the Company's
common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), is listed.
 
    The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), with respect to the shares of its Common Stock being offered
hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission. Statements made in this Prospectus
as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are not
necessarily complete; with respect to each such contract, agreement or other
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference is made to
the exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved, and each
such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference. For
further information with respect to the Company and the Common Stock, reference
is hereby made to the Registration Statement.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
    The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
 
    1.  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
       1997;
 
    2.  The Company's Proxy Statement for its 1998 Annual Meeting of
       Stockholders, dated March 25, 1998;
 
    3.  The description of the Common Stock of the Company, which is contained
       in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the
       Commission on August 29, 1996;
 
    4.  The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 10, 1998;
 
    5.  The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 16, 1998;
 
    6.  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
       31, 1998; and
 
    7.  All other documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a),
       13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this
       Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offerings of the shares.
 
    The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the
written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the
documents which are incorporated herein by reference, other than exhibits to
such information (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into such documents). Requests
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
should be directed to the Company, P.O. Box 2206, 500 Gulfstream Road, Savannah,
Georgia 31402-2206, Attention: Investor Relations, telephone: (912) 965-3000.
 
                            ------------------------
 
    Any statement contained in a document or a portion thereof which is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document or
portion thereof which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified shall
not be deemed to constitute a part of this Prospectus except as so modified, and
any statement so superseded shall not be deemed to constitute part of this
Prospectus.
 
                            ------------------------
 
    CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFERINGS MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN THE
COMMON STOCK AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFERINGS. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING".
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
    THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY INFORMATION IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE
DETAILED INFORMATION AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO
APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN.
UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS, (I) GIVES EFFECT
TO THE REPURCHASE OF ALL OF THE OUTSTANDING PREFERRED STOCK AND THE EXCHANGE,
REDESIGNATION AND 1.5-FOR-1 STOCK SPLIT OF THE COMMON STOCK, WHICH OCCURRED IN
OCTOBER 1996 (COLLECTIVELY, THE "1996 RECAPITALIZATION"), (II) ASSUMES THAT THE
OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTIONS GRANTED TO THE UNDERWRITERS ARE NOT EXERCISED, (III)
ASSUMES THE SALE OF COMMON STOCK IN THE OFFERINGS AT $43.00 PER SHARE, AND (IV)
ASSUMES THE ISSUANCE OF 2,873,778 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK BY THE COMPANY TO
CERTAIN SELLING STOCKHOLDERS PURSUANT TO THE EXERCISE OF OUTSTANDING OPTIONS AND
THE SALE OF SUCH SHARES IN THE OFFERINGS. UNLESS THE CONTEXT REQUIRES OTHERWISE,
REFERENCES TO THE COMPANY OR GULFSTREAM REFER TO GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE
CORPORATION, ITS PREDECESSORS AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND REFERENCES TO "COMMON
STOCK" REFER TO THE COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE, OF GULFSTREAM
AEROSPACE CORPORATION. REFERENCES IN THIS PROSPECTUS TO (I) MILES ARE TO
NAUTICAL MILES; ONE NAUTICAL MILE IS EQUAL TO 1.15 STATUTE MILES; AND (II)
FISCAL YEARS ARE TO THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE COMPANY ENDED DECEMBER 31 OF THE YEAR
SPECIFIED (e.g. FISCAL 1997 REFERS TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997).
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
OVERVIEW
 
    Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is recognized worldwide as a leading
designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of the most technologically
advanced intercontinental business jet aircraft. Since 1966, when the Company
created the large cabin business jet category with the introduction of the
Gulfstream II, the Company has dominated this market segment, capturing a
cumulative market share of approximately 60%. The Company has manufactured and
sold over 1,000 large cabin business aircraft since the introduction of the
Gulfstream product line in 1958.
 
    The Company has developed a broad range of aircraft products to meet the
aviation needs of its targeted customers (which include national and
multinational corporations, governments, governmental agencies, heads of state
and wealthy individuals). See "Business--Customers and Marketing". The Company's
current principal aircraft products are the Gulfstream
IV-SP-Registered Trademark-, the Gulfstream V-Registered Trademark- and
Gulfstream Shares-Registered Trademark- (fractional ownership interests in
Gulfstream IV-SPs). As an integral part of its aircraft product offerings, the
Company offers aircraft completions (exterior painting of the aircraft and the
installation of customer selected interiors), financial services and worldwide
aircraft maintenance services and technical support.
 
    Since 1994, Gulfstream has significantly increased its profitability and
market share by broadening its product offerings, increasing its production
capacity and reducing its cost structure. In 1997, the Company's revenues grew
by 79%, to $1,903 million, from $1,064 million in 1996, and operating profit
increased nearly fivefold to $229 million in 1997 from $50 million in 1996. At
March 31, 1998, Gulfstream had a firm contract backlog for 88 aircraft, valued
at approximately $2.8 billion. During the quarter ended March 31, 1998, the
Company also signed a contract valued at approximately $335 million (which is
not included in backlog) for 12 Gulfstream IV-SPs to expand its highly
successful fractional ownership program into the Middle East. Including this
contract, the Company had a total of 100 aircraft, valued at approximately $3.1
billion of potential future revenues, under contract.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    Gulfstream's strategy is to continue to dominate the large cabin, long range
business jet market and expand the Company's customer base by offering the most
technologically advanced business aircraft and a broad range of complementary
transportation services. With the completion of the $285 million Gulfstream V
development program, the Company has introduced the world's first ultra-long
range
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
business aircraft and received the 1997 Robert J. Collier Trophy for outstanding
aeronautical achievement. The performance and first-to-market advantages of the
Gulfstream V, as well as the continuing popularity of the Gulfstream IV-SP, have
created exceptional demand for the Company's products, with 100 aircraft
currently under contract.
 
    In order to capitalize on the Company's strong product demand and meet its
customers' growing transportation needs, Gulfstream has been and will continue
to (i) expand its production capacity, (ii) increase the breadth of its products
and services and (iii) invest in product innovation. The Company's co-production
strategy is successfully underway, with production nearly doubling from 27
aircraft in 1996 to 51 in 1997. Through ongoing productivity improvements,
Gulfstream plans to deliver 58 aircraft in 1998 and 64 aircraft in 1999, without
adding to its existing physical plant. Since 1995, the Company has also
successfully expanded its product offerings to include Gulfstream Shares, with
total aircraft ordered to date of 29 in North America and 12 overseas, and
Gulfstream Financial Services, which facilitated financing for over $550 million
of new and pre-owned aircraft sales in 1996 and 1997. The Company plans to
continue to introduce new products and services in order to grow its revenue and
customer base, as well as invest in research and development to maintain its
leadership position in the marketplace.
 
    With the Gulfstream V development program now complete and the Company's
co-production program successfully underway, Gulfstream is poised for
significant earnings growth. As the Company continues to increase its
deliveries, enhance its manufacturing productivity and leverage its fixed costs,
Gulfstream is targeting 70% growth in fully taxed earnings per share in 1998, to
$2.85 per share, and 15% growth in 1999 and 2000. This targeted growth is
supported by the Company's 100 aircraft contracts, representing $3.1 billion of
future potential revenues. The Company is currently selling positions for
outfitted deliveries of Gulfstream IV-SPs in the fourth quarter of 1999 and
Gulfstream Vs in the first half of 2000.
 
MARKET LEADERSHIP
 
    GULFSTREAM IV-SP.  The Gulfstream IV-SP continues to dominate the long
range, large cabin business aircraft market, with 67 world records and a 62%
market share over the last three years for aircraft with comparable performance
and price. Worldwide demand for the aircraft remains strong, with 39 new orders
in 1997, 41 aircraft in backlog at March 31, 1998 and an additional 12 aircraft
under contract for the Middle East Shares program. The Gulfstream IV-SP has
recorded more than 850,000 flight hours and a 99.2% dispatch reliability rate.
Since the Company delivered the first Gulfstream IV in 1985, it has delivered a
total of 333 Gulfstream IV/IV-SPs, establishing this product as the most
successful long range, large cabin business aircraft in the history of business
aviation.
 
    GULFSTREAM V.  On April 11, 1997, Gulfstream received final FAA
certification of the Gulfstream V, the world's first ultra-long range business
jet. The Gulfstream V entered operational service in June 1997 and is still the
only certified and operating ultra-long range product in the marketplace. The
Gulfstream V has set 47 world and national records and met or exceeded all of
its performance specifications. As confirmation of the product's innovative
design and outstanding performance, the Gulfstream V received the 1997 Robert J.
Collier Trophy for aeronautical achievement and was selected by the United
States Air Force to provide intercontinental transportation for senior
government officials and dignitaries. As of March 31, 1998, the Company had
received a total of 90 orders for the Gulfstream V and, net of deliveries, had a
contract backlog of 47 aircraft. To date, the Gulfstream V has achieved a 99.5%
dispatch reliability rate, an impressive level for a new aircraft.
 
PRODUCTION EXPANSION AND PRODUCTIVITY
 
    PRODUCTION EXPANSION.  To meet the strong demand for its products,
Gulfstream has increased its production rate from 27 aircraft in 1996 to 51 in
1997 and is targeting 58 deliveries in 1998 and 64 in
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
1999. The Company plans to invest approximately $20 million of capital in 1998
to support its production expansion, with new tooling and business systems. To
date, the Company's production rate is seven months ahead of schedule.
 
    QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY INITIATIVES.  In 1997, Gulfstream initiated
cross-functional teams to focus on quality and efficiency in product design,
manufacturing and interior completions. Capitalizing on the collective expertise
of Gulfstream's highly skilled workforce, the Company reduced the Gulfstream V's
final assembly production time from 75 days to 30 days in just over six months
and the total manufacturing hours per aircraft by nearly 50%. At the same time,
the manufacturing process has been redesigned to give Gulfstream the flexibility
to change its annual production mix between Gulfstream IV-SPs and Vs to respond
to customer demand. Similar initiatives are underway in the completions area,
with a goal to reduce the Company's completion cycle time by nearly 50% over the
next twelve to eighteen months. Largely as a result of these efforts, Gulfstream
expects gross margins (excluding pre-owned aircraft) to improve from 20% in 1997
to the mid-20s by the end of 1998.
 
    INTEGRATION OF PRODUCTION, COMPLETIONS AND SERVICE.  In order to minimize
duplicate costs and continue to improve manufacturing productivity, Gulfstream
has combined the management of its green aircraft production, its interior
completions and its service business. The Company currently outfits nearly 100%
of its new aircraft interiors, up from 70% in 1990, and is targeting to almost
double its completion deliveries in 1998. By integrating green aircraft
production with completions, Gulfstream has the opportunity to build common
customer configurations into the initial aircraft production line and
significantly reduce rework and duplicate costs. In addition, this organization
change enables the Company to maximize its engineering and material resources
and negotiate better terms for its material and parts contracts through
long-term supplier agreements.
 
EXPANDING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
 
    As part of the Company's strategy to offer its customers a broad range of
transportation services, Gulfstream has introduced a number of new products
since 1995. These products have expanded the potential market for Gulfstream, as
well as increased sales to existing customers.
 
    GULFSTREAM SHARES.  In 1995, the Company introduced a Gulfstream IV-SP
fractional share ownership program, Gulfstream Shares, in conjunction with
Executive Jet International ("EJI"). Gulfstream Shares provides customers with
the benefits of Gulfstream aircraft ownership at a substantially lower cost and
has significantly increased Gulfstream's potential customer base. Over 60% of
the current Shares customers are either first time buyers of an aircraft or are
trading up to the Gulfstream IV-SP from a smaller aircraft program. To date, the
Company has contracted to deliver 27 Gulfstream IV-SPs and two Gulfstream Vs in
connection with the program. Thirteen of these aircraft are already in service
and 17 are scheduled for delivery through 2000. EJI also has an option to
purchase two more Gulfstream IV-SPs. In addition, Gulfstream signed a firm
contract in March 1998 with a group of Middle East investors for 12 Gulfstream
IV-SPs, which will be delivered over the next five years for a Middle East
fractional ownership program.
 
    GULFSTREAM FINANCIAL SERVICES.  Gulfstream Financial Services Corporation
("GFSC") offers customers a variety of financing alternatives to facilitate the
purchase of a new aircraft. By providing its customers access to capital, GFSC
serves to expedite and increase the sale of new and pre-owned aircraft. This
program is offered through private label relationships with major financial
institutions, which manage and bear the credit risk of these financing packages.
GFSC facilitated financing for over $550 million of new and pre-owned aircraft
sales in 1996 and 1997.
 
    GULFSTREAM CHARTER AND AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT SERVICES.  The Company has
developed Gulfstream Charter Services to provide its customers with easy access
to the Gulfstream charter market. The program helps customers meet their interim
and supplemental lift requirements by connecting potential
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
Gulfstream charter customers with operators through a private label relationship
with a charter services manager. In addition, Gulfstream, in conjunction with
Chrysler Pentastar Aviation, Inc., recently announced the introduction of
Gulfstream Management Services, a program for the management of Gulfstream
aircraft. Through this service, individual and corporate owners of Gulfstream
aircraft can receive aircrew, dispatch and maintenance management services.
 
    GULFSTREAM OPERATING LEASE.  The Company is in the process of developing a
Gulfstream operating lease program. This program, which is expected to include
third party participation, would provide an important vehicle for new Gulfstream
aircraft sales, offer customers an additional solution for their interim
aircraft operating needs and introduce customers with less initial capital to
Gulfstream's product offerings. Gulfstream will market the leases, provide
maintenance services and share in the operating lease profits. The Company
expects this product to have significant international as well as domestic
potential.
 
    GULFSTREAM SERVICECARE-SM-.  To provide predictability and security to the
cost of maintaining new Gulfstream IV-SPs, the Company introduced the
ServiceCare program in 1997. This product offers customers a guaranteed hourly
service program which covers all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance events.
Gulfstream provides the maintenance services for the customer aircraft and a
third party is responsible for the risk management and administration of the
program through a private label agreement.
 
ONGOING PRODUCT INNOVATION AND INVESTMENT
 
    Gulfstream is just beginning to reap the benefits of its $285 million
investment in the Gulfstream V development program, with 1997 being the first
full year of Gulfstream V deliveries. The Company plans to continue to focus its
research and development on maintaining Gulfstream's position as a market leader
at the forefront of technology. Currently, research and development funds are
being invested to reduce the manufacturing and operating costs of the Gulfstream
IV-SP and the Gulfstream V. Over the longer term, the Company plans to apply
cost effective Gulfstream V enhancements to the Gulfstream IV-SP, increase the
cockpit commonality of the two products and further upgrade their respective
avionics and electronics packages as technology progresses. In total, the
Company plans to invest approximately $60 million in research and development
over the next three years in support of these efforts.
 
    In addition, Gulfstream is investing in new products and services. The
Company has invested approximately $60 million in the core fleet aircraft of its
North American Gulfstream Shares program and has committed to invest an
estimated $40 million for core fleet to support the Middle East Shares
expansion. Over the long term, Gulfstream plans to explore additional Shares
programs, including Gulfstream V and Far East products, and invest in additional
services and strategic partnerships which support the Company's earnings growth.
 
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
    In March 1990, the Gulfstream business was acquired from Chrysler
Corporation by certain partnerships (the "Forstmann Little Partnerships") formed
by Forstmann Little & Co. ("Forstmann Little"). On October 16, 1996, the Company
sold 4,559,100 shares of Common Stock, and the Forstmann Little Partnerships and
certain other holders of Common Stock sold 37,940,900 shares of Common Stock in
an initial public offering (the "Initial Public Offering"). The Forstmann Little
Partnerships own approximately 43.2% of the currently outstanding shares of
Common Stock (40.0% on a fully diluted basis). Shares of Common Stock to be sold
pursuant to the Offerings will be sold by the Forstmann Little Partnerships, as
well as by certain other holders of Common Stock and certain option holders
(collectively, the Forstmann Little Partnerships and such holders of Common
Stock and options are referred to as the "Selling Stockholders"). After the
consummation of the Offerings, the Forstmann Little Partnerships will
beneficially own approximately 21.9% of the Common Stock (21.1% on a fully
diluted basis) or 18.8% (18.2% on a fully diluted basis), assuming that the
Underwriters' over-allotment options are exercised in full. See "Selling
Stockholders".
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                               THE OFFERINGS (1)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
Common Stock offered by the
  Selling Stockholders: (2)
    United States Offering........  14,400,000 shares
    International Offering........  3,600,000 shares
                                    --------------------
      Total.......................  18,000,000 shares
 
Common Stock to be outstanding
  after the Offerings.............  75,554,697 shares (2)(3)
 
Use of proceeds...................  The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from
                                    the sale of shares. In connection with the Offerings,
                                    certain current and former directors and employees of,
                                    and advisors to, the Company will exercise stock options
                                    to purchase, in the aggregate, approximately 2,873,778
                                    shares of Common Stock from the Company for an aggregate
                                    exercise price of approximately $28.3 million; all of
                                    such shares will be sold by such Selling Stockholders in
                                    the Offerings. See "Use of Proceeds".
 
NYSE symbol.......................  GAC
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) The offering of 14,400,000 shares of Common Stock initially being offered in
    the United States (the "U.S. Offering") and the offering of 3,600,000 shares
    of Common Stock initially being offered outside the United States (the
    "International Offering") are collectively referred to as the "Offerings".
    The underwriters for the U.S. Offering (the "U.S. Underwriters") and the
    underwriters for the International Offering (the "International
    Underwriters") are collectively referred to as the "Underwriters".
 
(2) Assumes that the Underwriters' over-allotment options are not exercised. See
    "Underwriting".
 
(3) Based on the number of shares outstanding on May 1, 1998, plus 2,873,778
    shares of Common Stock to be issued simultaneously with or immediately prior
    to the consummation of the Offerings upon exercise of outstanding stock
    options, which shares will be sold in the Offerings. Does not include
    2,945,877 shares issuable upon the exercise of additional outstanding stock
    options.
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    Prospective purchasers of the Common Stock should carefully consider the
factors set forth under "Risk Factors" as well as the other information set
forth or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The consolidated financial data of the Company as of and for each of the
five years in the period ended December 31, 1997, has been derived from the
Company's audited consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial
data as of and for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998, has been
derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company
that, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of
normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of its financial
condition and results of operations as of such dates and for such periods. The
results for the three months ended March 31, 1998, are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. The selected
consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto,
incorporated herein by reference.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          THREE MONTHS
                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                       ENDED MARCH 31,
                                         ---------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                                      <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
                                            1993       1994        1995        1996        1997        1997         1998
                                         ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                      <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net revenues...........................  $  887,113  $ 901,638  $1,041,514  $1,063,713  $1,903,494   $ 375,626    $ 503,407
                                         ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales........................     737,361    710,554     835,547     839,254   1,557,250     305,152      404,069
  Selling and administrative
    expenses...........................      97,011     82,180      93,239      99,452      97,499      22,615       25,942
  Stock option compensation expense....                                          7,186       1,640         522          329
  Research and development expense.....      47,990     57,438      63,098      58,118      10,792      (1,520)       1,945
  Amortization of intangibles and
    deferred charges...................      27,613      7,583       7,540       9,434       7,347       1,820        1,876
  Restructuring charge(1)..............     203,911
                                         ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Total costs and expenses...............   1,113,886    857,755     999,424   1,013,444   1,674,798     328,589      434,161
Income (loss) from operations..........    (226,773)    43,883      42,090      50,269     228,696      47,037       69,246
  Interest income......................         486        367       5,508      14,605      11,532       3,123        2,522
  Interest expense.....................     (48,940)   (20,686)    (18,704)    (17,909)    (31,159)     (8,130)      (6,999)
                                         ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Income(loss) before income taxes.......    (275,227)    23,564      28,894      46,965     209,069      42,030       64,769
Income tax expense (benefit)(2)........          --         --          --          --     (33,942)      2,000       24,288
                                         ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
  Net income (loss)....................  $ (275,227) $  23,564  $   28,894  $   46,965  $  243,011   $  40,030    $  40,481
                                         ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
                                         ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
 
Earnings per share:
  Net income per share--basic(3).......                         $      .39  $      .64  $     3.28   $     .54    $     .56
                     --diluted(3)......                         $      .37  $      .60  $     3.12   $     .51    $     .54
Pro forma fully taxed earnings per
  share--diluted(4)....................                         $      .23  $      .37  $     1.68   $     .33    $     .54
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(1) The Company recorded a charge for a restructuring plan based upon the
    Company's reassessment of its business plan and its products from which it
    has realized improved operating efficiencies, reduced costs, and increased
    overall profitability.
 
(2) The Company recorded a net income tax benefit of $33.9 million for 1997 and
    a provision for income taxes of $24.3 million for the three months ended
    March 31, 1998. Prior to September 30, 1997, the Company recorded no
    provision for income taxes, other than alternative minimum taxes,
    principally as a result of utilization of net operating loss carryforwards.
    In the third quarter of 1997, the Company released its deferred tax
    valuation allowance, totaling $94.2 million. Of this amount, $29.4 million
    related to the exercise of stock options and was credited to additional
    paid-in capital and $64.8 million was recorded as a one-time, non-cash
    income tax benefit. The Company had available at March 31, 1998 a net
    operating loss carryforward for regular federal income tax purposes of
    approximately $11.7 million, which will begin expiring in 2006.
 
(3) Net income per share ("EPS") information for 1995 and 1996 is based on
    historical unadjusted net income divided by pro forma weighted average
    number of shares. Shares included for basic EPS give retroactive effect to
    the 1996 Recapitalization, the shares issued to option holders upon the
    exercise of options at the date of the Initial Public Offering, and the
    shares issued pursuant to the Initial Public Offering (all of which are
    described in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements incorporated
    herein by reference) as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning
    of the period. Diluted EPS further includes the effects of options granted
    in 1995 and 1996 as if such options had been outstanding for all periods
    presented. See also Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements,
    incorporated herein by reference, for a reconciliation of per share data.
 
(4) Pro forma fully taxed earnings per share--diluted is presented for the
    applicable periods assuming an estimated effective tax rate of 37.5%.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                        MARCH 31,
                                           -------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
                                             1993       1994       1995        1996        1997        1997        1998
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                  (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT UNIT DATA)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
  Cash and cash equivalents..............  $   9,331  $  23,605  $ 223,312  $  233,172  $  306,451  $  200,510  $  183,214
  Working capital........................    302,369    301,913    356,976     138,091     295,811     166,963     257,200
  Total assets...........................    799,470    745,761    981,253   1,313,215   1,473,667   1,238,451   1,369,645
  Total debt(1)..........................    206,145    178,145    146,331     400,000     380,000     400,000     361,250
  Total stockholders' equity
    (deficit)(1)(2)......................    164,395    188,950    217,540    (188,811)     92,757    (147,752)     68,973
 
OPERATING DATA:
  Depreciation and amortization..........  $  47,866  $  24,151  $  23,094  $   26,910  $   33,022  $    7,832  $    8,292
 
OPERATING DATA:
  Units delivered during period:
    Gulfstream IV/IV-SP..................         26         22         26          24          22           5           6
    Gulfstream V.........................          0          0          0           3          29           6           7
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total deliveries.....................         26         22         26          27          51          11          13
 
  Units ordered during period:
    Gulfstream IV/IV-SP(3)...............         26         25         30          44          39          21           4
    Gulfstream V.........................         17         16         12          21           7          --           9
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total orders.........................         43         41         42          65          46          21          13
 
  Units in backlog at end of period:
    Gulfstream IV/IV-SP(3)(4)............          3          3          7          27          43          43          41
    Gulfstream V(5)......................         24         40         50          67          45          61          47
                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total backlog(6).....................         27         43         57          94          88         104          88
 
ESTIMATED BACKLOG (in
  billions)(3)(4)(5)(6):.................  $     0.9  $     1.5  $     1.9  $      3.1  $      2.8  $      3.3  $      2.8
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(1) Total stockholders' equity and total debt at December 31, 1996 give effect
    to the 1996 Recapitalization and Initial Public Offering which occurred
    during the fourth quarter 1996.
 
(2) Total stockholders' equity at March 31, 1998 gives effect to the repurchase
    of approximately 2.5 million shares of Common Stock, at an average price of
    $30.01 per share, for an aggregate amount of $74.6 million, during the first
    quarter 1998. See also Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements,
    incorporated herein by reference.
 
(3) During the quarter ended March 31, 1998, the Company also signed a contract
    for 12 Gulfstream IV-SPs to expand its highly successful Gulfstream Shares
    fractional ownership program into the Middle East region. This contract,
    valued at approximately $335 million, is not included in units ordered or
    backlog.
 
(4) Net of cancellations of 3 in 1994 and 1 in 1997, which generally relate to
    orders placed in prior years.
 
(5) Net of cancellations of 1, 2 and 1 in 1993, 1995 and 1996, respectively,
    which generally relate to orders placed in prior years.
 
(6) See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
    of Operations -- Contractual Backlog".
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER INFORMATION INCLUDED AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
IN THIS PROSPECTUS, THE FOLLOWING FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY IN
EVALUATING THE COMPANY AND ITS BUSINESS BEFORE PURCHASING THE COMMON STOCK
OFFERED HEREBY.
 
AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION AND COMPLETION
 
    The Company records revenue from the sale of a new "green" aircraft (I.E.,
before exterior painting and installation of customer-selected interiors and
optional avionics) when the green aircraft is delivered to the customer. The
Company records revenue from completion services when the outfitted aircraft is
delivered to the customer. The Company is currently targeting 58 green aircraft
deliveries in 1998 and 64 green aircraft deliveries in 1999. Completions are
projected to nearly double in 1998. However, there can be no assurance as to the
extent to which the Company can successfully increase its rates of aircraft
production and completion.
 
    Approximately 70% of the production costs of both the Gulfstream IV-SP and
the Gulfstream V consist of materials and equipment purchased from other
manufacturers. While the Company's production activities have never been
materially affected by its inability to obtain components, and while the Company
maintains business interruption insurance in the event that a disruption should
occur, the failure of the Company's suppliers to meet the Company's performance
specifications, quality standards or delivery schedules could have a material
adverse impact on the Company's delivery schedule. In addition, although the
Company has in place revenue share and long-term supply arrangements that help
protect it against unexpected materials price increases, if the Company
experiences price pressure on materials, margins could be adversely affected.
 
    The Company's ability to meet its production and completion schedules
depends on the Company's meeting its needs for skilled labor. Although the
Company's employee relations are generally good and its ability to hire required
skilled labor has not to date adversely affected its ability to meet its
production and completion schedules, there can be no assurance that these
favorable conditions will continue.
 
    The Company expects to become more efficient at producing and completing
Gulfstream V aircraft, and expects production and completion costs to fall as it
gains more experience in this aircraft program. As a result, the Company expects
gross margins (excluding pre-owned aircraft, which are typically sold at
break-even levels) to improve from 20% in 1997 to the mid-20s by the end of
1998. If the Company is unable to achieve anticipated efficiencies in a timely
manner, its delivery schedule and its projected margin improvements could be
adversely impacted. Additional costs associated with the learning curve on
Gulfstream V completions are expected to delay margin improvements somewhat in
the first half of 1998. If subsequent improvement is not achieved in the second
half, as anticipated, the Company may be unable to achieve its margin targets.
 
    While the Company generally receives non-refundable deposits in connection
with each order, an order may be canceled (and the deposit returned) under
certain conditions if the delivery of a Gulfstream V aircraft is delayed more
than six months after a customer's scheduled delivery date. An extended delay in
the production or completion process could cause order cancellations, which
could have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations. To date,
there have been no such cancellations.
 
THE BUSINESS JET AIRCRAFT MARKET
 
    The Company's principal business is the design, development, manufacture and
marketing of large and ultra-long range business jet aircraft. Because of the
high unit selling price of its aircraft products and the availability of
commercial airlines and charters as alternative means of business travel, a
downturn in general economic conditions could result in a reduction in the
orders received by the
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
Company for its new and pre-owned aircraft. Although 80% of the Company's
backlog consists of North American customers and 65% of its North American
customers are Fortune 500 companies, adverse business and economic conditions
could cause customers to be unable or unwilling to consummate the purchase of an
aircraft and could, therefore, result in order cancellations. To the extent
customers cancel, they forfeit their non-refundable deposits.
 
    The Company believes that its reputation and the exemplary safety record of
its aircraft are important selling points for new and pre-owned Gulfstream
aircraft. However, if one or a number of catastrophic events were to occur with
the Gulfstream fleet, and it was determined to be related to the aircraft
manufacturer, Gulfstream's reputation and sales of Gulfstream aircraft could be
adversely affected. There have been no incidents of this nature in the Company's
history.
 
    In many cases, the Company has agreed to accept, at the customer's option,
the customer's pre-owned aircraft as a trade-in in connection with the purchase
of a Gulfstream IV-SP or Gulfstream V. Based on the current market for pre-owned
aircraft, the Company expects to continue to be able to resell pre-owned
aircraft taken in trade, and does not expect to suffer a loss with respect to
these trade-ins and resales. However, an increased level of pre-owned aircraft
or changes in the market for pre-owned aircraft may increase the Company's
inventory costs and may result in the Company's receiving lower prices for its
pre-owned aircraft.
 
    The market for large cabin business jet aircraft is highly competitive. The
Gulfstream IV-SP competes in the large cabin business jet aircraft market
segment, principally with Dassault Aviation S.A. and to a lesser extent
Bombardier Inc. ("Bombardier"). The Gulfstream V competes in the ultra-long
range business jet aircraft market segment, primarily with the Global Express,
which is being marketed by Canadair, a subsidiary of Bombardier, and which,
according to published reports, is scheduled for certification in the second
quarter of 1998, 18 months after the initial delivery of the Gulfstream V. The
Boeing Company, in partnership with General Electric Co., is marketing a version
of the Boeing 737 into the ultra-long range business jet aircraft market
segment. Boeing has indicated that it expects this aircraft to be available for
delivery in the fourth quarter of 1998. In June 1997, Airbus Industries
announced it would market a version of the Airbus A319 into this market segment
as well. Airbus has indicated that it expects the aircraft to be available in
early 1999. The Company's competitors may have access to greater resources
(including, in certain cases, governmental subsidies) than are available to the
Company.
 
PERIOD-TO-PERIOD FLUCTUATIONS
 
    Since the Company relies on the sales of a relatively small number of high
unit selling price new aircraft to provide the substantial portion of its
revenues, even a small decrease in the number of deliveries in any period could
have a material adverse effect on the results of operations for that period. As
a result, a delay or an acceleration in the delivery of new aircraft may affect
the Company's revenues for a particular quarter or year and may make
quarter-to-quarter or year-to-year comparisons difficult.
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
    As a part of the Company's initiatives, begun in 1996, to increase
production rates and co-produce the Gulfstream IV-SP and Gulfstream V, the
Company has, and continues to, upgrade and replace business systems and facility
infrastructure. These initiatives help to reduce the potential impact of the
Year 2000 issue on the Company's operations. In addition, the Company has
implemented a Year 2000 Compliance Plan designed to ensure that all other
hardware, software, systems and products with microprocessors relevant to the
Company's business are not adversely affected by the Year 2000 issue. The
Company is also reviewing compliance by suppliers and vendors and the impact of
the Year 2000 issue on in-service customer aircraft. The Company does not
believe that the implementation of this Year 2000 Compliance Plan will have a
material effect on the Company's business operations, financial
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
condition, liquidity or capital resources. However, there can be no assurance,
with regard to compliance by customers and suppliers, that all aspects of their
Year 2000 compliance plans will be successfully completed in a timely manner.
 
PENDING TAX AUDIT
 
    The Company is involved in tax audits by the Internal Revenue Service
covering the years 1990 through 1994. The revenue agent's reports include
several proposed adjustments involving the deductibility of certain compensation
expense and items relating to the capitalization of the Company, the allocation
of the purchase price for the acquisition by the Company of the Gulfstream
business, including the treatment of advance payments with respect to and the
cost of aircraft that were in backlog at the time of the acquisition and the
amortization of amounts allocated to intangible assets. The Company believes
that the ultimate resolution of these issues will not have a material adverse
effect on its financial statements because the financial statements already
reflect what the Company currently believes is the expected loss of benefit
arising from the resolution of these issues. However, because the revenue
agent's reports are proposing adjustments in amounts materially in excess of
what the Company has reflected in its financial statements and because it may
take several years to resolve the disputed matters, the ultimate extent of the
Company's expected loss of benefit and liability with respect to these matters
cannot be predicted with certainty and no assurance can be given that the
Company's financial position or results of operations will not be adversely
affected.
 
LEVERAGE AND DEBT SERVICE; RESTRICTIONS ON PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS
 
    Although the Company is not significantly leveraged, it does have a bank
credit facility. Borrowings under this facility could have consequences to
holders of Common Stock, including the following: (i) the Company's ability to
obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital
expenditures, product development, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or
other purposes may be impaired; (ii) a portion of the Company's and its
subsidiaries' cash flow from operations must be dedicated to the payment of the
principal of and interest on its indebtedness; (iii) the credit agreement (the
"Credit Agreement"), of Gulfstream Delaware Corporation, the Company's principal
operating subsidiary ("Gulfstream Delaware"), contains certain restrictive
financial and operating covenants, including, among others, requirements that
Gulfstream satisfy certain financial ratios; (iv) Gulfstream's borrowings are at
floating rates of interest, causing Gulfstream to be vulnerable to increases in
interest rates; (v) the Company's degree of leverage may make it more vulnerable
in a downturn in general economic conditions; and (vi) the Company's financial
position may limit its flexibility in responding to changing business and
economic conditions.
 
    The Company is a holding company with no operations or assets other than the
stock of its subsidiaries. As a result, the Company's ability to pay dividends
on its Common Stock is dependent upon the ability of its subsidiaries to pay
cash dividends or make other distributions. The Credit Agreement restricts the
ability of the Company's subsidiaries to pay cash dividends or to make other
distributions and, accordingly, limits the ability of the Company to pay cash
dividends to its stockholders. The borrowings under the Credit Agreement are
guaranteed by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and are secured by a
pledge of the stock of certain of the Company's subsidiaries. See "Price Range
of Common Stock and Dividend Policy" and "Management's Discussions and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital
Resources".
 
CONTROL BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS; LIMITATIONS ON CHANGE OF CONTROL; BENEFITS TO
  PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
    After the consummation of the Offerings, the Forstmann Little Partnerships
will beneficially own approximately 21.9% of the Common Stock (21.1% on a fully
diluted basis) or 18.8% (18.2% on a fully diluted basis), assuming that the
Underwriters' over-allotment options are exercised in full. After the
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
Offerings, it is expected that the Forstmann Little Partnerships will continue
to be the largest stockholders of the Company and, collectively, are likely to
be able to influence the election of the Board of Directors of the Company and,
in general, to affect the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter
submitted to the stockholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations
and the sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets. See
"Management" and "Selling Stockholders".
 
    The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws contain
provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an
acquisition proposal for the Company. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation
and By-laws of the Company, among other things, (i) classify the Board of
Directors into three classes, with directors of each class serving for a
staggered three-year period, (ii) provide that directors may be removed only for
cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote for such directors
and (iii) permit the Board of Directors (but not the Company's stockholders) to
fill vacancies and newly created directorships on the Board. Such provisions
would make the removal of incumbent directors more difficult and time-consuming
and may have the effect of discouraging a tender offer or other takeover attempt
not previously approved by the Board of Directors. Under the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors of the Company also has the
authority to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more
series and to fix the powers, preferences and rights of any such series without
stockholder approval. The Board of Directors could, therefore, issue, without
stockholder approval, preferred stock with voting and other rights that could
adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock and could make
it more difficult for a third party to gain control of the Company. See
"Description of Capital Stock".
 
    In connection with the Offerings, 2,873,778 shares of Common Stock will be
issued upon the exercise of outstanding stock options by 242 current and former
employees, directors, advisors and consultants of the Company for an aggregate
exercise price of approximately $28.3 million, which shares will be sold in the
Offerings for aggregate proceeds (based on a public offering price of $43.00) of
approximately $119.3 million (net of underwriting discounts); approximately
1,645,152 of such shares will be issued to and sold by current directors and
executive officers of the Company. See "Selling Stockholders".
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE; REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
    Sales of a substantial number of shares of Common Stock after the
consummation of the Offerings could adversely affect the prevailing market price
of the Common Stock. Upon the consummation of the Offerings, the Company will
have outstanding 75,554,697 shares of Common Stock. Of these shares, the
18,000,000 shares sold in the Offerings (20,700,000 if the Underwriters'
over-allotment options are exercised in full) will be freely transferable in the
public market or otherwise without restriction or further registration under the
Securities Act, unless purchased by an "affiliate" of the Company as that term
is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act (an "Affiliate"). Shares
purchased by Affiliates will be subject to the resale limitations of Rule 144
under the Securities Act. The Company and the Selling Stockholders (who will
beneficially own 18,936,409 outstanding shares immediately following the
consummation of the Offerings) have agreed with the Underwriters not to offer,
sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock for a period of 90 days
after the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of the
representatives of the Underwriters except, in the case of such Selling
Stockholders, for certain transfers to immediate family members, trusts for the
benefit of such Selling Stockholder and his or her immediate family, charitable
foundations and controlled entities so long as the transferee agrees to be bound
by the foregoing restrictions. Following expiration or waiver of the foregoing
restrictions on dispositions, 16,554,375 shares of Common Stock owned by the
Forstmann Little Partnerships will be available for sale into the public market
pursuant to Rule 144 (including the volume and other limitations set forth
therein) and could impair the Company's future ability to raise capital through
an offering of
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
equity securities. In addition, pursuant to a registration rights agreement, the
Forstmann Little Partnerships have the right, under certain circumstances and
subject to certain conditions, to require the Company to effect up to five
additional registrations under the Securities Act, covering all or any portion
of shares of Common Stock held by them. In addition, whenever the Company
proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act, the
Forstmann Little Partnerships and the holders of the Company's outstanding stock
options (pursuant to the stock option agreements under which such options were
granted) have the right, under certain circumstances and subject to certain
conditions, to include their shares (or any security convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock) in such registration. The Company
is generally required to pay all the expenses (other than the expenses of
optionholders) associated with these offerings (other than underwriting
discounts and commissions). See "Selling Stockholders" and "Description of
Capital Stock".
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    Gulfstream is recognized worldwide as a leading designer, developer,
manufacturer and marketer of the most technologically advanced intercontinental
business jet aircraft. Since 1966, when the Company created the large cabin
business jet category with the introduction of the Gulfstream II, the Company
has dominated this market segment, capturing a cumulative market share of
approximately 60%. The Company has manufactured and sold over 1,000 large cabin
business aircraft since the introduction of the Gulfstream product line in 1958.
 
    Gulfstream is the ultimate successor to a business (the "Predecessor
Business") established by Grumman Aerospace in 1956. In 1978, the Predecessor
Business was acquired by a group of investors headed by Allen E. Paulson, the
then Chairman of the Predecessor Business. Chrysler Corporation ("Chrysler")
acquired the Predecessor Business in 1985. In March 1990, the Gulfstream
business was acquired from Chrysler by certain partnerships formed by Forstmann
Little. The Company completed its initial public offering in October 1996.
 
    The Company's product line originated in 1958, with the introduction of the
Gulfstream I, and continued with the introduction of the Gulfstream II in 1966,
the Gulfstream III in 1979, the Gulfstream IV in 1985, the Gulfstream IV-SP in
1993 and the Gulfstream V in 1996. Only the Gulfstream IV-SP and the Gulfstream
V are currently in production.
 
    The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in
1990. The mailing address of the principal executive offices of the Company is
P.O. Box 2206, 500 Gulfstream Road, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206, and the
telephone number of the Company is (912) 965-3000. The Company maintains a Web
Site at www.gulfstreamaircraft.com. The Company has operating subsidiaries with
facilities in Savannah, Georgia; Brunswick, Georgia; Bethany, Oklahoma; Long
Beach, California; and Mexicali, Mexico.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of
Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders. In connection with the Offerings,
certain current and former directors and employees of, and advisors to, the
Company will exercise stock options to purchase, in the aggregate, approximately
2,873,778 shares of Common Stock from the Company for an aggregate exercise
price of approximately $28.3 million; all of such shares will be sold by such
Selling Stockholders in the Offerings. The Company intends to use the proceeds
of such option exercises for general corporate purposes.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
                PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY
 
    The Common Stock has been listed on the NYSE since October 10, 1996 under
the symbol "GAC". The following sets forth the high and low sale prices for the
Common Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape for the periods indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              COMMON STOCK PRICE
                                                                                    RANGE
                                                                             --------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>
                                                                               HIGH        LOW
                                                                             ---------  ---------
1996 (BEGINNING OCTOBER 10)
First Quarter..............................................................         --         --
Second Quarter.............................................................         --         --
Third Quarter..............................................................         --         --
Fourth Quarter.............................................................  $   26.00  $   20.75
 
1997
First Quarter..............................................................      24.13      21.25
Second Quarter.............................................................      32.75      21.75
Third Quarter..............................................................      31.13      26.00
Fourth Quarter.............................................................      32.06      26.50
 
1998
First Quarter..............................................................      44.44      28.75
Second Quarter (through May 12)............................................      46.94      41.69
</TABLE>
 
    For a recent sale price for the Common Stock, see the cover page of this
Prospectus.
 
    The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and does not
anticipate paying such dividends in the foreseeable future. As a holding
company, the ability of the Company to pay dividends is dependent upon the
ability of its subsidiaries to pay cash dividends or to make other
distributions. The Credit Agreement restricts the ability of the Company's
subsidiaries to pay cash dividends or to make other distributions to the Company
and, accordingly, limits the ability of the Company to pay cash dividends to its
stockholders. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources". Any determination
to pay cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Company's
Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company's results of operations,
financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant
at that time by the Company's Board of Directors.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of the
Company and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 1998 on an actual basis and as
adjusted to reflect the sale of 2,873,778 shares of Common Stock by the Company
to certain of the Selling Stockholders in connection with the Offerings pursuant
to existing option agreements for an aggregate option exercise price of $28.3
million. This table should be read in conjunction with the Company's
consolidated financial statements, incorporated herein by reference, and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        MARCH 31, 1998
                                                                    -----------------------
                                                                     ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED
                                                                    ---------  ------------
                                                                        (In thousands)
 
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>
Cash..............................................................  $ 183,214   $  211,579
                                                                    ---------  ------------
                                                                    ---------  ------------
Short-term debt:
  Current portion of long-term debt...............................  $  75,000   $   75,000
                                                                    ---------  ------------
    Total short-term debt.........................................     75,000       75,000
Long-term debt (excluding current portion) (1):
  Credit Agreement................................................    286,250      286,250
                                                                    ---------  ------------
    Total debt....................................................    361,250      361,250
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred stock; 20,000,000 shares authorized and none
    outstanding...................................................
  Common stock; $.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized and
    87,133,546 actual shares and 89,781,811 as adjusted shares
    issued(3).....................................................        871          898
Additional paid-in capital(2).....................................    380,237      438,707
Accumulated deficit...............................................   (185,479)    (185,479)
Minimum pension liability.........................................       (762)        (762)
Unamortized stock plan expense....................................       (826)        (826)
Less: Treasury stock: 14,227,114 shares...........................   (125,068)    (123,024)
                                                                    ---------  ------------
    Total stockholders' equity....................................     68,973      129,514
                                                                    ---------  ------------
    Total capitalization..........................................  $ 430,223   $  490,764
                                                                    ---------  ------------
                                                                    ---------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated
    herein by reference.
 
(2) Upon the exercise of the stock options contemplated in the Offerings, the
    Company will record a federal income tax benefit of approximately $32.2
    million (based on a public offering price of $43.00), which will be credited
    directly to additional paid-in capital.
 
(3) As adjusted shares also includes an additional 10,812 shares issued pursuant
    to the exercise of options subsequent to March 31, 1998.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The consolidated financial data of the Company as of and for each of the
five years in the period ended December 31, 1997, has been derived from the
Company's audited consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial
data as of and for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1998, has been
derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company
that, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of
normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of its financial
condition and results of operations as of such dates and for such periods. The
results for the three months ended March 31, 1998, are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. The selected
consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto,
incorporated herein by reference.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                          MARCH 31,
                                        --------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
                                          1993       1994        1995        1996        1997        1997         1998
                                        ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                              (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net revenues..........................  $ 887,113  $ 901,638  $1,041,514  $1,063,713  $1,903,494   $ 375,626    $ 503,407
                                        ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales.......................    737,361    710,554     835,547     839,254   1,557,250     305,152      404,069
  Selling and administrative
    expenses..........................     97,011     82,180      93,239      99,452      97,499      22,615       25,942
  Stock option compensation expense...                                         7,186       1,640         522          329
  Research and development expense....     47,990     57,438      63,098      58,118      10,792      (1,520)       1,945
  Amortization of intangibles and
    deferred charges..................     27,613      7,583       7,540       9,434       7,347       1,820        1,876
  Restructuring charge (1)............    203,911
                                        ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Total costs and expenses..............  1,113,886    857,755     999,424   1,013,444   1,674,798     328,589      434,161
Income (loss) from operations.........   (226,773)    43,883      42,090      50,269     228,696      47,037       69,246
  Interest income.....................        486        367       5,508      14,605      11,532       3,123        2,522
  Interest expense....................    (48,940)   (20,686)    (18,704)    (17,909)    (31,159)     (8,130)      (6,999)
                                        ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Income (loss) before income taxes.....   (275,227)    23,564      28,894      46,965     209,069      42,030       64,769
Income tax expense (benefit) (2)......         --         --          --          --     (33,942)      2,000       24,288
                                        ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
  Net income (loss)...................  $(275,227) $  23,564  $   28,894  $   46,965  $  243,011   $  40,030    $  40,481
                                        ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
                                        ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
 
Earnings per share:
  Net income per share--basic (3).....                        $      .39  $      .64  $     3.28   $     .54    $     .56
                     --diluted (3)....                        $      .37  $      .60  $     3.12   $     .51    $     .54
Pro forma fully taxed earnings per
  share--diluted (4)..................                        $      .23  $      .37  $     1.68   $     .33    $     .54
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) The Company recorded a charge for a restructuring plan based upon the
    Company's reassessment of its business plan and its products from which it
    has realized improved operating efficiencies, reduced costs, and increased
    overall profitability.
 
(2) The Company recorded a net income tax benefit of $33.9 million for 1997 and
    a provision for income taxes of $24.3 million for the three months ended
    March 31, 1998. Prior to September 30, 1997, the Company recorded no
    provision for income taxes, other than alternative minimum taxes,
    principally as a result of utilization of net operating loss carryforwards.
    In the third quarter of 1997, the Company released its deferred tax
    valuation allowance, totaling $94.2 million. Of this amount, $29.4 million
    related to the exercise of stock options and was credited to additional
    paid-in capital and $64.8 million was recorded as a one-time, non-cash
    income tax benefit. The Company had available at March 31, 1998 a net
    operating loss carryforward for regular federal income tax purposes of
    approximately $11.7 million, which will begin expiring in 2006.
 
(3) Net income per share ("EPS") information for 1995 and 1996 is based on
    historical unadjusted net income divided by pro forma weighted average
    number of shares. Shares included for basic EPS give retroactive effect to
    the 1996 Recapitalization, the shares issued to option holders upon the
    exercise of options at the date of the Initial Public Offering, and the
    shares issued pursuant to the Initial Public Offering (all of which are
    described in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements incorporated
    herein by reference) as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning
    of the period. Diluted EPS further includes the effects of options granted
    in 1995 and 1996 as if such options had been outstanding for all periods
    presented. See also Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements,
    incorporated herein by reference, for a reconciliation of per share data.
 
(4) Pro forma fully taxed earnings per share--diluted is presented for the
    applicable periods assuming an estimated effective tax rate of 37.5%.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                        YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                         MARCH 31,
                                        --------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
                                          1993       1994        1995        1996        1997        1997        1998
                                        ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT UNIT DATA)
<S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD):
  Cash and cash equivalents...........  $   9,331  $  23,605  $  223,312  $  233,172  $  306,451  $  200,510  $  183,214
  Working capital.....................    302,369    301,913     356,976     138,091     295,811     166,963     257,200
  Total assets........................    799,470    745,761     981,253   1,313,215   1,473,667   1,238,451   1,369,645
  Total debt (1)......................    206,145    178,145     146,331     400,000     380,000     400,000     361,250
  Total stockholders' equity (deficit)
    (1)(2)............................    164,395    188,950     217,540    (188,811)     92,757    (147,752)     68,973
 
OPERATING DATA:
  Depreciation and amortization.......  $  47,866  $  24,151  $   23,094  $   26,910  $   33,022       7,832       8,292
 
OPERATING DATA:
  Units delivered during period:
    Gulfstream IV/IV-SP...............         26         22          26          24          22           5           6
    Gulfstream V......................          0          0           0           3          29           6           7
                                        ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total deliveries..................         26         22          26          27          51          11          13
  Units ordered during period:
    Gulfstream IV/IV-SP (3)...........         26         25          30          44          39          21           4
    Gulfstream V......................         17         16          12          21           7          --           9
                                        ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total orders......................         43         41          42          65          46          21          13
  Units in backlog at end of period:
    Gulfstream IV/IV-SP (3)(4)........          3          3           7          27          43          43          41
    Gulfstream V (5)..................         24         40          50          67          45          61          47
                                        ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
    Total backlog (6).................         27         43          57          94          88         104          88
 
ESTIMATED BACKLOG (in billions)
  (3)(4)(5)(6):.......................  $     0.9  $     1.5  $      1.9  $      3.1  $      2.8  $      3.3  $      2.8
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Total stockholders' equity and total debt at December 31, 1996 give effect
    to the 1996 Recapitalization and Initial Public Offering which occurred
    during the fourth quarter 1996.
 
(2) Total stockholders' equity at March 31, 1998 gives effect to the repurchase
    of approximately 2.5 million shares of Common Stock, at an average price of
    $30.01 per share, for an aggregate amount of $74.6 million, during the first
    quarter 1998. See also Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements,
    incorporated herein by reference.
 
(3) During the quarter ended March 31, 1998, the Company also signed a contract
    for 12 Gulfstream IV-SPs to expand its highly successful Gulfstream Shares
    fractional ownership program into the Middle East region. This contract,
    valued at approximately $335 million, is not included in units ordered or
    backlog.
 
(4) Net of cancellations of 3 in 1994 and 1 in 1997, which generally relate to
    orders placed in prior years.
 
(5) Net of cancellations of 1, 2 and 1 in 1993, 1995 and 1996, respectively,
    which generally relate to orders placed in prior years.
 
(6) See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
    of Operations -- Contractual Backlog".
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's
consolidated financial statements incorporated herein by reference.
 
BUSINESS
 
    Gulfstream is recognized worldwide as a leading designer, developer,
manufacturer and marketer of the most technologically advanced intercontinental
business jet aircraft. The Company's current principal aircraft products are the
Gulfstream IV-SP, the Gulfstream V and Gulfstream Shares (fractional ownership
interests in Gulfstream IV-SPs). As an integral part of its aircraft product
offerings, the Company offers aircraft completion, financial services and
worldwide aircraft maintenance services and technical support.
 
OPERATING DATA
 
    With a $2.8 billion contractual backlog at March 31, 1998, and a $335
million Middle East Shares contract, a significant portion of the Company's
future revenues are under contract. Generally, at the signing of a Gulfstream
IV-SP or Gulfstream V contract, a customer makes a non-refundable deposit with
the Company, at which time the order is placed in the contractual backlog. The
Company recognizes revenue for the sale of a new "green" aircraft (i.e., before
exterior painting and installation of customer selected interiors and optional
avionics) when the green aircraft is delivered to the customer. Revenues from
completion services are recorded when the outfitted aircraft is delivered to the
customer. Revenues on all other products and services, including pre-owned
aircraft, are recognized when such products are delivered or such services are
performed. Generally, production of new aircraft remains relatively smooth
throughout the year. However, deliveries of aircraft can vary significantly
depending upon a variety of factors, including the timing of final customer
acceptance. Accordingly, the Company's revenues can vary significantly from
quarter to quarter.
 
COMPARISON OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 AND MARCH 31, 1997
 
    NET REVENUES.  Total net revenues increased by $127.8 million, or 34.0%, to
$503.4 million in the first quarter of 1998 from $375.6 million in the first
quarter of 1997. The significant increase resulted primarily from an increase in
revenues from green aircraft of $62.8 million as the Company delivered 13
aircraft, seven Gulfstream Vs and six Gulfstream IV-SPs, as compared with 11
aircraft, six Gulfstream Vs and five Gulfstream IV-SPs, in the first quarter of
1997. In addition, revenues associated with the sale of pre-owned aircraft
increased by $47.6 million as two additional units were delivered in 1998. Also
contributing to the increase in revenues was an increase in completion revenues
of $13.9 million, resulting from Gulfstream V completion deliveries.
 
    COST OF SALES.  Total cost of sales increased to $404.1 million in the first
quarter of 1998 from $305.2 million in the first quarter of 1997. The increase
was a result of the higher number of green, pre-owned and completion aircraft
deliveries discussed above. Excluding pre-owned aircraft, which generally are
sold at break-even levels, the gross profit percentage for the first quarter of
1998 was 22.1% compared to 20.0% for the first quarter of 1997. This increase is
primarily attributable to reductions in Gulfstream V aircraft production costs.
See "--Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 1997 and 1996".
 
    SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE.  Selling and administrative expense
increased by $3.3 million, or 14.7% to $25.9 million in the first quarter of
1998 from $22.6 million in the first quarter of 1997, and as a percentage of net
revenues, decreased to 5.2% in the first quarter of 1998 from 6.0% in the first
quarter of 1997 due to the higher level of revenues.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE.  Research and development expense was $1.9
million in the first quarter of 1998, as compared to $(1.5) million in the first
quarter of 1997. Research and development expense for 1997 is net of a $10.0
million credit for launch assistance funds received from vendors participating
in the development of the Gulfstream V. Research and development expenditures in
1998 and the near-term future are expected to stem principally from product
improvements and enhancements, rather than new aircraft development.
 
    INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE.  Interest income decreased by $0.6 million to
$2.5 million in the first quarter of 1998 from $3.1 million in the first quarter
of 1997 as a result of lower average cash balances the Company had invested
during 1998 compared to the same period of 1997. Interest expense decreased by
$1.1 million to $7.0 million for the first quarter of 1998. This decrease is
attributable to both a decrease in average borrowings and lower weighted average
interest rates.
 
    INCOME TAXES.  The Company recorded an income tax provision of $24.3 million
in the first quarter of 1998 based on an estimated effective tax rate of 37.5%
compared with a provision for income taxes of $2.0 million, representing
alternative minimum taxes, in the first quarter of 1997. Prior to September 30,
1997, the Company recorded no provision for income taxes, other than alternative
minimum taxes, principally as a result of utilization of net operating loss
carryforwards. The Company had available at March 31, 1998 a net operating loss
carryforward for regular federal income tax purposes of approximately $11.7
million which will begin expiring in 2006. See "--Comparison of the Years Ended
December 31, 1997 and 1996".
 
    EARNINGS PER SHARE.  The Company reported diluted earnings per share of
$0.54 for the first quarter of 1998, up from $0.51 for the first quarter of
1997. On a pro forma fully-taxed basis, assuming an effective tax rate of 37.5%,
comparable diluted earnings per share would have been $0.33 for the first
quarter of 1997.
 
COMPARISON OF THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
 
    NET REVENUES.  Total net revenues increased by $839.8 million, or 79.0%, to
$1,903.5 million in 1997 from $1,063.7 million in 1996. Revenues from green
aircraft increased $739.3 million due primarily to the delivery of 29 Gulfstream
V aircraft in 1997, as full scale production commenced, compared to three
Gulfstream V aircraft in 1996. During 1997, a total of 51 green aircraft were
delivered as compared to 27 in 1996. Also contributing to the revenue gain was a
$57.1 million increase in the sale of pre-owned aircraft related to trade-ins on
the higher level of Gulfstream V deliveries. In addition, completion revenues
increased by $11.5 million in 1997 principally due to initial Gulfstream V
completion deliveries. Aircraft Services revenue increased by $22.7 million in
1997, as the Company continues to aggressively market and expand its aftermarket
products and maintenance services.
 
    COST OF SALES.  Total cost of sales increased to $1,557.5 million in 1997
compared to $839.3 million in 1996. Excluding pre-owned aircraft, which are
generally sold at break-even levels, the gross profit percentage for 1997 was
20.0% compared to 24.8% for 1996. The decline in gross profit percentage is
primarily attributable to the introduction of the Gulfstream V aircraft into
production and the higher costs associated with the early stages of the
Gulfstream V production and completions. Timing of the learning curve on the
Gulfstream V completions is expected to delay margin improvements somewhat in
the first half of 1998. Overall, the Company expects the margin percentage of
revenue on the Gulfstream V to continue to improve as it realizes increased
manufacturing efficiencies.
 
    SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE.  Selling and administrative expense
decreased by $2.0 million, or 2.0%, to $97.5 million in 1997 from $99.5 million
in 1996 and, as a percentage of net revenues, decreased to 5.1% in 1997 from
9.4% in 1996. Expenses were higher in 1996 due principally to the level of
advertising and marketing expense associated with the certification and initial
customer deliveries of the Gulfstream V.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
    STOCK OPTION COMPENSATION EXPENSE.  The issuance of options to purchase
common stock of the Company resulted in a non-cash compensation charge of $1.6
million in 1997 and $7.2 million in 1996.
 
    RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE.  Research and development expense was
$10.8 million in 1997, a decrease of $47.3 million from 1996, and as a
percentage of net revenues was 0.6% versus 5.5%. Research and development
expense decreased during 1997 principally as a result of the substantial
completion of the Gulfstream V development program. Research and development
expense for 1997 and 1996 are net of credits of $10.0 million and $8.0 million,
respectively, for launch assistance funds received from vendors participating in
the development of the Gulfstream V. Research and development expenditures in
1998 and the near-term future are expected to stem principally from product
improvements and enhancements, rather than new aircraft development.
 
    AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES AND DEFERRED CHARGES.  This non-cash expense
includes amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets consisting of
aftermarket service and aftermarket product support, as well as deferred
financing charges related to the Company's pre-existing and new bank credit
facilities. Amortization of intangibles and deferred charges of $7.3 million for
1997 were $2.1 million lower than 1996. This decrease was a result of the
accelerated amortization in 1996 of financing charges associated with the
Company's prior bank credit facilities, which were repaid in October 1996. See
"Liquidity and Capital Resources".
 
    INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE.  Interest income decreased by $3.1 million to
$11.5 million in 1997 from $14.6 million in 1996 as a result of lower average
cash balances the Company had invested in 1997 compared to 1996. Interest
expense consists almost entirely of interest paid on long-term borrowings under
the Company's bank credit facilities. Interest expense increased to $31.2
million for 1997 from $17.9 million in 1996. This increase was due to an
increase in average borrowings partially offset by the Company's lower average
borrowing costs of 7.7% in 1997 versus 9.0% in 1996. See "Liquidity and Capital
Resources".
 
    INCOME TAXES.  The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $33.9 million
for 1997. No provision for income taxes was recorded in 1996, principally due to
the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards. The Company, in estimating
its ability to realize the benefit of its net deferred tax assets, considers
both positive and negative evidence and gives greater weight to evidence that is
objectively verifiable. As a result of numerous factors including, but not
limited to, recent earnings trends and the size of its contractual backlog, the
Company currently believes that its net deferred tax asset is more likely than
not to be realized. In the third quarter of 1997, the Company released its
deferred tax valuation allowance, totaling $94.2 million. Of this amount, $29.4
million related to the exercise of stock options and was credited to additional
paid-in capital and $64.8 million was recorded as a one-time, non-cash income
tax benefit. During the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company recorded a provision
for income taxes based on its overall estimated effective tax rate of 37.5%. The
Company had available at December 31, 1997 and 1996, net operating loss
carryforwards for regular federal income tax purposes of approximately $65.0
million and $228.0 million, respectively, which will begin expiring in 2006.
 
    EARNINGS PER SHARE.  The Company reported diluted earnings per share of
$3.12 during 1997, up from 1996 diluted earnings per share of $0.60. On a pro
forma fully-taxed basis, assuming an effective tax rate of 37.5%, the Company's
earnings per share would have been $1.68 and $0.37 for 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    The Company's liquidity needs arise from working capital requirements,
capital expenditures, principal and interest payments on long-term debt and the
Company's share repurchase program
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
described below. During the first quarter of 1998 and the years 1997, 1996 and
1995 the Company relied on its available cash balances to fund these needs.
 
    Net cash generated by operating activities was $120.4 million, $243.4
million and $282.4 million in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The reduction
in 1997 was primarily due to the decrease in customer progress payments
associated with new aircraft in backlog. The reduction in 1996 was primarily due
to the temporary build-up in inventory associated with Gulfstream V production
and the timing of cash receipts to satisfy customer receivables, partially
offset by the increase in customer progress payments associated with aircraft in
backlog and new sales activities.
 
    During the year ended December 31, 1997, additions to property and equipment
amounted to $26.7 million. At December 31, 1997, the Company was not committed
to the purchase of any significant amount of property and equipment. Additions
to property and equipment were $16.2 million in 1996 and $25.2 million in 1995.
The increased level of spending of $10.5 million in 1997 over 1996, primarily
related to the Company's strategic initiative to increase its annual production
rate to approximately 60 aircraft by 1999, a twofold increase over its 1996
annual production rate. As a result, in 1997, the Company's capital expenditures
increased $15 million and in 1998 are expected to increase by approximately $20
million above previously planned annual levels of approximately $15 million.
During the first quarter of 1998, the Company completed a new $8.5 million paint
facility located at its Long Beach, California plant. This facility is part of
the Company's 60 aircraft plan and will allow the Company to double its present
volume of painting new, pre-owned and customer aircraft. The Company continually
monitors its capital spending in relation to current and anticipated business
needs. As circumstances dictate, facilities are added, consolidated or
modernized.
 
    During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company invested $3.0 million, $2.1 million
and $25.7 million, respectively, for tooling associated with the Gulfstream V
program. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had recorded, net of amortization,
an aggregate of $42.7 million in tooling associated with the Gulfstream V
program. Gulfstream V tooling is being amortized to cost of sales on a unit
basis over the first 200 units of the Gulfstream V program. Tooling associated
with the Gulfstream IV and IV-SP has been fully amortized to cost of sales.
 
    In January 1998, the Company established a program to repurchase up to $200
million of its Common Stock. The purchases will be made from time to time in the
open market or through negotiated transactions as market conditions warrant. The
Company expects to fund the stock purchases from cash on hand. As of March 31,
1998, approximately 2.5 million shares, at an average price of $30.01 per share,
had been repurchased under this plan for an aggregate amount of $74.6 million.
 
    On October 16, 1996, Gulfstream Delaware, a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company, entered into a $650 million credit facility (the "Credit Agreement").
The Credit Agreement consists of a $400 million term loan facility and a $250
million revolving credit facility. A portion of the revolving credit facility,
in an amount not to exceed $150 million, may be used (to the extent available)
for standby and commercial letters of credit, and up to $200 million of the
revolving credit facility will be available to the Company for borrowings. In
addition, up to $20 million of the revolving credit facility may be used for
swing line loans. The revolving credit facility expires September 30, 2002 with
any amounts outstanding due on that date. There were no amounts outstanding
under the revolving credit facility on December 31, 1997 or March 31, 1998. The
Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants including
restrictions on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to pay cash
dividends, as well as financial covenants under which the Company must operate.
As of March 31, 1998, the Company was in compliance with the covenants contained
in the Credit Agreement. Payments under the term loan facility were $20.0
million in 1997, and scheduled repayments are $75.0 million in each of the years
1998 through 2001 and $80.0 million in 2002.
 
    On October 16, 1996, the Company completed the Initial Public Offering from
which the Company received net proceeds of approximately $100 million after
deducting underwriting discounts and other
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
expenses. In connection with the Initial Public Offering, certain members of
senior management and other employees of the Company exercised options to
purchase approximately 4 million shares of Common Stock of the Company and sold
those shares in the Initial Public Offering, resulting in additional net
proceeds to the Company of $14.2 million. The Company used the net proceeds of
the Initial Public Offering, together with the $400 million term loan under the
Credit Agreement and available cash from operations, to (i) repurchase the
remaining $450 million of 7% Cumulative Preferred Stock and pay accrued
dividends, (ii) repay all the outstanding indebtedness under the Company's
pre-existing credit facilities, which totaled $107.7 million, and (iii) pay fees
and expenses incurred in connection with the Initial Public Offering and the
refinancing of the Company's indebtedness. During 1996, the Company had
previously repurchased approximately four shares of 7% Cumulative Preferred
Stock at their stated value of $18.9 million and paid accumulated dividends of
$105.3 million out of available cash from operations.
 
    The Company's principal source of liquidity both on a short-term and
long-term basis is cash flow provided from operations, including customer
progress payments and deposits on new aircraft orders. Occasionally, however,
the Company may borrow against the Credit Agreement to supplement cash flow from
operations. The Company believes, based upon its analysis of its consolidated
financial position, its cash flow during the past 12 months and its expected
results of operations in the future, that operating cash flow and available
borrowings under the Credit Agreement will be adequate to fund operations,
capital expenditures, debt service and the Company's share repurchase program
for at least the next 12 months. The Company intends to repay its remaining
indebtedness primarily with cash flow from operations. There can be no
assurance, however, that future industry specific developments or general
economic trends will not adversely affect the Company's operations or its
ability to meet its cash requirements.
 
    As of March 31, 1998, in connection with orders for 24 Gulfstream V aircraft
in the backlog, the Company has offered customers trade-in options (which may or
may not be exercised by the customer) under which the Company will accept
trade-in aircraft (primarily Gulfstream IVs and IV-SPs) at a guaranteed minimum
trade-in price. Additionally, in connection with recorded sales of new aircraft,
the Company has agreed to accept pre-owned aircraft with trade-in values
totaling $203.7 million as of March 31, 1998. Of this amount, $47.1 million is
under contract for resale to pre-owned aircraft customers. Management believes
that the fair market value of all such aircraft exceeds the specified trade-in
value.
 
    The Company is currently engaged in the monitoring and cleanup of certain
groundwater at its Savannah facility under the oversight of the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources. Expenses incurred for cleanup have not been
significant. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or
remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The
Company believes other aspects of the Savannah facility, as well as other
Gulfstream properties, are being carefully monitored and are in substantial
compliance with current federal, state and local environmental regulations. The
Company believes the liabilities, if any, that will result from the above
environmental matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial
statements.
 
    On December 24, 1997, the Company executed final documents with the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the "PBGC") concerning funding of the Company's
defined benefit pension plans. The terms were essentially the same as those set
out in the agreement in principle reached between the PBGC and the Company
during October 1996. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company contributed $25.0
million in 1997 and has agreed to contribute a total of $25.0 million annually
from 1998 through 2000 to its pension plans which payments are expected to
result in such plans being fully funded. The payments to be made under this
agreement were already part of the Company's overall financial planning and
therefore, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial statements. The funding required under this agreement will not result
in any increase in the Company's annual pension expense.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
    The Company is involved in tax audits by the Internal Revenue Service
covering the years 1990 through 1994. The revenue agent's reports include
several proposed adjustments involving the deductibility of certain compensation
expense, items relating to the initial capitalization of the Company, the
allocation of the original purchase price for the acquisition by the Company of
the Gulfstream business, including the treatment of advance payments with
respect to and the cost of aircraft that were in backlog at the time of the
acquisition, and the amortization of amounts allocated to intangible assets. The
Company believes that the ultimate resolution of these issues will not have a
material adverse effect on its financial statements because the financial
statements already reflect what the Company currently believes is the expected
loss of benefit arising from the resolution of these issues.
 
CONTRACTUAL BACKLOG
 
    At March 31, 1998, the Company had a firm contract backlog of approximately
$2.8 billion, representing a total of 41 contracts for Gulfstream IV-SPs and 47
contracts for Gulfstream Vs. This compares to $2.8 billion and $3.1 billion of
firm contract backlog at the end of 1997 and 1996, respectively, representing a
total of 43 and 27 contracts for Gulfstream IV-SPs and 45 and 67 contracts for
Gulfstream Vs, respectively. The decline in backlog from 1996 is directly
related to the increased level of Gulfstream V deliveries during 1997.
 
    During the quarter ended March 31, 1998, the Company also signed a contract
for 12 Gulfstream IV-SPs to expand its highly successful Gulfstream Shares
fractional ownership program to the Middle East region. This contract is valued
at approximately $335 million and is not included in the Company's backlog. In
1993, the Company established very stringent deposit requirements for recording
aircraft into its backlog. The contract for the Middle East Shares expansion
includes modestly different deposit requirements early in the program. The
Company has decided for the initial phase of the program to record these orders
when the aircraft are delivered. Including the Middle East contract, the Company
had a total of 100 aircraft, valued at approximately $3.1 billion of potential
future revenues, under contract.
 
    The Company includes an order in backlog only if the Company has entered
into a purchase contract (with no contingencies) with the customer and has
received a significant (generally non-refundable) deposit from the customer. In
total, approximately 51% of the Company's contractual backlog (which excludes
the Middle East Shares contract) is scheduled for delivery beyond 1998.
 
    The Company continually monitors the condition of its backlog and believes,
based on the nature of its customers and its historical experience, that there
will not be a significant number of cancellations. However, to the extent that
there is a lengthy period of time between a customer's aircraft order and its
expected delivery date, there may be increased uncertainty as to changes in
business and economic conditions which may affect customer cancellations.
 
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
 
    The Company does not have any significant assets located outside the United
States. All the Company's sales and contracts have historically been and
currently are denominated in U.S. dollars and, as a result, are not subject to
changes in exchange rates. In addition, substantially all of the Company's
material purchases are currently denominated in U.S. dollars.
 
INFLATION
 
    The Company continually attempts to minimize any effect of inflation on
earnings by controlling its operating costs and selling prices. During the past
few years, the rate of inflation has been low and has not had a significant
impact on the results of the Company's operations.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
    A significant portion of the Company's Gulfstream V contracts contain an
adjustment in the purchase price to account for inflation. Such adjustments are
generally capped at an aggregate of 3% per year. These adjustments are intended
to minimize the Company's cost risk associated with the small portion of
material contracts which are not under long-term agreements.
 
OUTLOOK
 
    The Company plans to deliver 58 green aircraft in 1998 and 64 in 1999.
Completions are expected to nearly double in 1998. The gross margins are
expected to improve from 20% in 1997 to the mid-20s by the end of 1998. Based on
projections of increasing aircraft production and improving margins, Gulfstream
expects 1998 diluted earnings per share of approximately $2.85. The Company also
expects diluted earnings per share to increase 15% per year in 1999 and 2000.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO RISK AND UNCERTAINTY
 
    Certain statements contained in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", including the statements
under the heading "Outlook", as well as other statements elsewhere in this
Prospectus, contain forward-looking information. These forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results might differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Additional
information concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially
differ from those in the forward-looking statements is contained in "Risk
Factors" and in Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
    Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation is recognized worldwide as a leading
designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of the most technologically
advanced intercontinental business jet aircraft. Since 1966, when the Company
created the large cabin business jet category with the introduction of the
Gulfstream II, the Company has dominated this market segment, capturing a
cumulative market share of approximately 60%. The Company has manufactured and
sold over 1,000 large cabin business aircraft since the introduction of the
Gulfstream product line in 1958.
 
    The Company has developed a broad range of aircraft products to meet the
aviation needs of its targeted customers (which include national and
multinational corporations, governments, governmental agencies, heads of state
and wealthy individuals). The Company's current principal aircraft products are
the Gulfstream IV-SP, the Gulfstream V, and Gulfstream Shares (fractional
ownership interests in Gulfstream IV-SPs). As an integral part of its aircraft
product offerings, the Company offers aircraft completions (exterior painting of
the aircraft and the installation of customer selected interiors), financial
services and worldwide aircraft maintenance services and technical support.
 
    Since 1994, Gulfstream has significantly increased its profitability and
market share by broadening its product offerings, increasing its production
capacity and reducing its cost structure. In 1997, the Company's revenues grew
by 79%, to $1,903 million, from $1,064 million in 1996, and operating profit
increased nearly fivefold to $229 million in 1997 from $50 million in 1996. At
March 31, 1998, Gulfstream had a firm contract backlog for 88 aircraft, valued
at approximately $2.8 billion. During the quarter ended March 31, 1998, the
Company also signed a contract valued at approximately $335 million (which is
not included in backlog) for 12 Gulfstream IV-SPs to expand its highly
successful fractional ownership program into the Middle East. Including this
contract, the Company had a total of 100 aircraft, valued at approximately $3.1
billion of potential future revenues, under contract.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    Gulfstream's strategy is to continue to dominate the large cabin, long range
business jet market and expand the Company's customer base by offering the most
technologically advanced business aircraft and a broad range of complementary
transportation services. With the completion of the $285 million Gulfstream V
development program, the Company has introduced the world's first ultra-long
range business aircraft and received the 1997 Robert J. Collier Trophy for
outstanding aeronautical achievement. The performance and first-to-market
advantages of the Gulfstream V, as well as the continuing popularity of the
Gulfstream IV-SP, have created exceptional demand for the Company's products,
with 100 aircraft currently under contract.
 
    In order to capitalize on the Company's strong product demand and meet its
customers' growing transportation needs, Gulfstream has been and will continue
to (i) expand its production capacity, (ii) increase the breadth of its products
and services and (iii) invest in product innovation. The Company's co-production
strategy is successfully underway, with production nearly doubling from 27
aircraft in 1996 to 51 in 1997. Through ongoing productivity improvements,
Gulfstream plans to deliver 58 aircraft in 1998 and 64 aircraft in 1999, without
adding to its existing physical plant. Since 1995, the Company has also
successfully expanded its product offerings to include Gulfstream Shares, with
total aircraft ordered to date of 29 in North America and 12 overseas, and
Gulfstream Financial Services, which facilitated financing for over $550 million
of new and pre-owned aircraft sales in 1996 and 1997. The Company plans to
continue to introduce new products and services in order to grow its revenue and
customer base, as well as invest in research and development to maintain its
leadership position in the marketplace.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
    With the Gulfstream V development program now complete and the Company's
co-production program successfully underway, Gulfstream is poised for
significant earnings growth. As the Company continues to increase its
deliveries, enhance its manufacturing productivity and leverage its fixed costs,
Gulfstream is targeting 70% growth in fully taxed earnings per share in 1998, to
$2.85 per share, and 15% growth in 1999 and 2000. This targeted growth is
supported by the Company's 100 aircraft contracts, representing $3.1 billion of
future potential revenues. The Company is currently selling positions for
outfitted deliveries of Gulfstream IV-SPs in the fourth quarter of 1999 and
Gulfstream Vs in the first half of 2000.
 
PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS
 
    The business jet aircraft market is generally divided into four
markets--light, medium, large and ultra-long range. These markets are defined on
the basis of range, cabin volume and gross operating weight.
 
    GULFSTREAM V
 
    The Company's newest aircraft product is the Gulfstream V, which serves the
ultra-long range market. The Company believes the Gulfstream V provides the
longest range, fastest cruising speed and most technologically advanced avionics
of any ultra-long range business jet aircraft currently in operation. The
Gulfstream V received final type certification from the Federal Aviation
Administration ("FAA") on April 11, 1997. Deliveries of the first outfitted
aircraft to customers began in 1997. As of March 31, 1998, the Company had
manufactured and delivered 39 Gulfstream Vs. In its first nine months in
service, the Gulfstream V set 47 world and national records. As confirmation of
the product's innovative design and outstanding performance, the Gulfstream V
received the 1997 Robert J. Collier Trophy for aeronautical achievement and was
selected by the United States Air Force to provide intercontinental
transportation for senior government officials and dignitaries.
 
    The Gulfstream V has a maximum operating speed of Mach .885. It can
accommodate up to 19 passengers and has a range of up to 6,500 nautical miles.
These capabilities permit routine intercontinental travel at cruising speeds
comparable to commercial airline cruising speeds, while operating efficiently at
altitudes as high as 51,000 feet, flying above most commercial airline traffic
and adverse weather. The Gulfstream V is versatile enough to fly long-range
missions, such as New York to Tokyo in approximately 14 hours, as well as
high-speed missions, such as New York to London, in approximately six hours.
 
    The Gulfstream V is equipped with two 14,750-pound-thrust BR710 engines
built by BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH, which were specifically designed for use on the
Gulfstream V and for which Gulfstream was the launch customer. The sound levels
of the Gulfstream V's engines are well below FAA Stage 3 and ICAO/Chapter 3
regulatory requirements (the FAA's and ICAO's most stringent noise abatement
regulations). These engines are designed to operate 7,000 flight hours between
major overhauls and, due to fuel efficiency, operate at a lower cost than the
engines of the Gulfstream IV-SP.
 
    The aircraft utilizes dual cabin pressurization systems to minimize cabin
altitude. At its cruising altitude of 51,000 feet, the Gulfstream V cabin
altitude is only 6,000 feet, the lowest cabin altitude of any business jet
aircraft. This low cabin altitude, together with a 100% fresh air ventilation
system (instead of a recirculating air system), significantly reduces passenger
fatigue.
 
    The advanced flight systems on the Gulfstream V include automatic throttle
systems, an integrated performance computer system, an engine information crew
advisory system, a dual global positioning system and independent inertial
reference systems. These systems provide accurate flight planning, as well as
automatic control, throughout the planned flight profile. For maximum safety, a
Traffic Collision Avoidance System, turbulence and wind shear-detecting radar
and an enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System are also standard. An additional
safety feature of the Gulfstream V is an optional head-up display ("HUD"). The
HUD optimizes pilot performance and improves flight safety, especially in low
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
visibility conditions, by reducing the pilot's dependence on the instrument
panel, thus allowing the pilot to direct his vision outside the cockpit.
 
    In order to reduce the business risk associated with the design and
manufacture of the Gulfstream V, the Company entered into revenue sharing
agreements with Northrop Grumman Corporation for the wing and Fokker Aviation
B.V. (a subsidiary of Stork B.V.) for the empennage. Under these agreements, the
revenue share partner is responsible for the detailed design, tooling and
manufacture of the systems in exchange for a fixed percentage of revenues of
each Gulfstream V sold (which the Company records as a cost of goods sold upon
an aircraft delivery). Thus, in addition to financing the development,
manufacture and delivery of its components, each manufacturer shares in the risk
of fluctuations in demand and market price of the Gulfstream V.
 
    The Company had received a total of 90 orders through March 31, 1998 for the
Gulfstream V. In 1997, the Gulfstream V was selected by the U.S. Air Force for
its VCX program for use in the Special Mission Air Wing.
 
    The list price for a completed Gulfstream V is currently approximately
$38,000,000 (depending on escalation and selected options). The Company provides
a purchaser of a Gulfstream V with a 20 year or 20,000 flight hour warranty
(whichever comes first) on the airframe structure and a six-year warranty on
components (other than the engines). BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH provides a direct
five-year or 2,500 flight hour warranty (whichever comes first) on the engines
to purchasers of a Gulfstream V.
 
    GULFSTREAM IV-SP
 
    The Company's other principal aircraft product is the Gulfstream IV-SP,
serving the large cabin business jet market. The Company believes that the
Gulfstream IV-SP offers the best combination of large cabin size, long range,
fast cruising speed and technologically advanced avionics of any large business
jet aircraft in its market segment. The Gulfstream IV-SP is an enhanced version
of the Gulfstream IV, which the Company began delivering to customers in 1985.
In total, the Company has manufactured and sold 333 Gulfstream IVs/IV-SPs,
making it the best selling large cabin business jet in the history of business
aviation.
 
    The Gulfstream IV-SP can accommodate up to 19 passengers, has a range of up
to 4,220 nautical miles and a cruising speed of up to Mach .85. These
capabilities permit routine intercontinental travel at cruising speeds
comparable to commercial airline cruising speeds, while operating efficiently at
altitudes as high as 45,000 feet, flying above most commercial airline traffic
and adverse weather. The Gulfstream IV/IV-SP is the holder of 67 distance,
altitude and speed records for aircraft of its class including east-bound and
west-bound around-the-world speed records (36 hours and 8 minutes (east-bound)
and 45 hours and 25 minutes (west-bound)).
 
    The Gulfstream IV-SP is equipped with two Rolls-Royce Tay fan jet engines
which have commercial airline-proven reliability and performance. The Tay
engines can operate 8,000 flight hours between major overhauls, producing
aircraft operating costs for the Gulfstream IV-SP that the Company believes are
comparable to those of its competitors. Additionally, the Gulfstream IV-SP,
together with the Gulfstream IV and the Gulfstream V, were the first business
jet aircraft to combine an electronic "all glass cockpit" and an advanced
avionics suite consisting of a fully integrated computerized flight management
system, including a performance computer and automatic throttle systems.
 
    The list price for a completed Gulfstream IV-SP is currently approximately
$28,600,000 (depending upon selected options). The Company provides a purchaser
of a Gulfstream IV-SP with a 15 year or 15,000 flight hour warranty (whichever
comes first) on the airframe structure and a 30 month warranty on most other
parts (other than the engines). Rolls-Royce provides a direct five-year or 2,500
flight hour warranty (whichever comes first) on the engines to purchasers of a
new Gulfstream IV-SP. Since the first delivery of a Gulfstream IV in 1985,
warranty claims on the Gulfstream IV and Gulfstream IV-SP have
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
aggregated less than 1% of aggregate net revenues from the sales of Gulfstream
IVs and Gulfstream IV-SPs.
 
    GULFSTREAM IV-MPA
 
    The Company has designed and manufactured the Gulfstream IV-MPA, a
multi-purpose derivative of the Gulfstream IV (designated C20-G) procured by and
in service for the U. S. Navy. The Gulfstream IV-MPA may be equipped with a
six-foot wide cargo door and/or high density seating (up to 26 passengers).
These aircraft have the capability to convert from a cargo configuration to a 26
passenger configuration in less than four hours. Depending upon the specific
configuration, the Gulfstream IV-MPA's list price ranges from $28,600,000 to
$32,600,000. There are currently 8 Gulfstream IV-MPAs in service. The Company
believes that the Gulfstream IV-MPA and other special mission modifications of
the Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft will be important products for meeting the needs
of government operators, military organizations, civil authorities and
intelligence gathering agencies.
 
    GULFSTREAM SHARES
 
    The Company offers customers fractional ownership in Gulfstream IV-SP
aircraft through a program established by the Company in 1995 in conjunction
with EJI's NetJets-Registered Trademark- program. This program is designed to
provide customers with the benefits of Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft ownership at a
substantially lower cost than the purchase of an entire aircraft. The program
significantly expands the market for Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft to include those
customers whose aircraft usage patterns or financial resources do not justify or
permit the direct purchase of a Gulfstream aircraft. The Gulfstream Shares
program, by teaming Gulfstream and EJI, has brought the Gulfstream name,
quality, reputation and marketing infrastructure together with the operational
experience and reputation of the founder and leader in the business jet aircraft
fractional ownership market.
 
    The Gulfstream Shares program is marketed by the Company. EJI purchases
Gulfstream IV-SPs from the Company and then sells fractional ownership interests
in such aircraft generally in one-eighth or one-quarter increments for which the
customer receives 100 or 200 hours of flying time per year, respectively, with a
guaranteed response time for pick-up of 10 hours or 6 hours, respectively. As of
March 31, 1998, the Company had contracted to deliver to EJI 27 Gulfstream
IV-SPs and two Gulfstream Vs in connection with the Gulfstream Shares program,
13 of which are in service and 17 of which will be delivered through 2000. EJI
also has an option to purchase two additional Gulfstream IV-SPs. The customers
enter into management and operating contracts with EJI which provide guaranteed
services and operating costs. EJI's agreement with its customers provides for a
term of five years with certain termination and renewal rights. There is no
recourse to the Company under the provisions of these agreements or under the
Company's contractual agreement with EJI.
 
    The Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft are maintained by the Company under a
maintenance agreement with EJI. Further, under a lease arrangement, the Company
provides EJI up to three pre-owned Gulfstream IV aircraft (which are included in
the Company's pre-owned aircraft inventory) which make up EJI's core fleet and
are used to facilitate EJI's meeting its response time and service guarantees.
The Company has a proprietary agreement with EJI relating to the marketing
activities and provision of the core fleet, pursuant to which the Company is
reimbursed for certain marketing expenses and earns royalty fees on certain EJI
revenues. The Company's marketing services agreement for Gulfstream Shares has a
term of three years from 1996 which can be extended by mutual agreement of the
parties.
 
    In addition to providing the Company with an incremental source of revenues,
the Company believes the Gulfstream Shares program represents an important
marketing tool. Fractional ownership provides the Company with a lower priced
product that allows it to broaden its potential market and to create an entry
level product for new Gulfstream customers. Over 60% of the current Shares
customers are either first time buyers of an aircraft or are trading up to the
Gulfstream IV-SP from a smaller aircraft program. Fractional ownership also
allows the Company to offer an interim solution for customers who
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
have an immediate need for aircraft transportation and desire to purchase a
whole aircraft, but must wait for delivery due to the order backlog.
 
    The Company is currently pursuing opportunities for international Gulfstream
Shares programs. In March 1998, the Company signed a contract for 12 Gulfstream
IV-SPs, valued at approximately $335 million, to expand the fractional shares
program to the Middle East.
 
    AIRCRAFT COMPLETION
 
    When the Company sells a new Gulfstream V or Gulfstream IV-SP, it generally
contracts with its customer to deliver a green aircraft and a completed
interior. The Company's completion services include painting and installing
customer selected interiors and optional avionics. The Company believes that its
completion services improve customer satisfaction while enhancing the Company's
profitability. The Company has proprietary control over the specifications
required to complete a Gulfstream V. Although other companies offer completion
services for the Gulfstream IV-SP, the Company believes it has an advantage over
other suppliers due to Gulfstream's understanding of its own aircraft and the
interface requirements necessary for installation of custom-designed interiors
and optional avionics systems. The Company believes that it also provides
superior craftsmanship in designing and building customized interiors.
 
    Gulfstream has increased its completion order rate on new aircraft as a
percentage of green aircraft orders from 70% in 1990 to nearly 100% in 1997. In
an effort to simplify the selling process and to capture completion business,
the Company currently markets its aircraft to customers on a completed basis. As
part of this effort, the Company has developed an aircraft completion program
that offers customers a customized interior using core standardized design
elements. The use of these standardized elements allows the Company to more
accurately predict and reduce costs, cut cycle times and increase consistency of
production. This, together with its integrated marketing strategy, has allowed
the Company to perform substantially all of the completion services for its
green aircraft since 1993. In order to support the additional production and
completion growth, the Company built a new paint hanger at its Long Beach
facility.
 
    The Company's completion centers, located in Savannah, Georgia; Brunswick,
Georgia; and Long Beach, California, offer full completion and refurbishing
services. The Company's completion centers can accommodate an aggregate of up to
20 aircraft at one time.
 
    PREMIUM PRE-OWNED GULFSTREAM AIRCRAFT AND OTHER PRE-OWNED AIRCRAFT
 
    Pre-owned aircraft are routinely accepted in trade to facilitate the sale of
new Gulfstream IV-SPs and Gulfstream Vs. The Company uses pre-owned Gulfstream
aircraft as a significant tool in expanding the Company's potential market and
competing with lower priced, new aircraft products.
 
    The Company refurbishes pre-owned Gulfstream aircraft and markets these
aircraft as a branded product of the Company. Pursuant to this program, the
Company backs pre-owned Gulfstream aircraft with a five-year warranty on the
airframe structure and a 12 month warranty on virtually all other parts,
including the engines under a separate warranty from Rolls-Royce Commercial Aero
Engines Limited.
 
    Trade-in values for pre-owned aircraft generally are based on estimated fair
market value ("FMV") at the time the trade-in will actually occur. If the
trade-in time is greater than twelve months into the future, the Company's
current practice is to reserve the right to determine FMV not more than six
months prior to delivery of the green aircraft. Trade-in aircraft are always
entered into inventory at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value. Any
excess value offered to a customer above estimated realizable value is
recognized as a reduction in the revenue received in the new aircraft sale
transaction.
 
    Through its trade-in agreements, the Company reserves the right to
pre-market the trade-in aircraft prior to acceptance of title from the customer.
Over the past several years, the Company has been
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
successful in entering into sales agreements on trade-in aircraft prior to
acceptance of title. If market conditions change, however, no assurances can be
made that the Company can continue this practice.
 
    The Company has provided a portion of its Gulfstream V customers whose
contracts are currently in backlog with an option to trade in a Gulfstream
aircraft at the time of their Gulfstream V aircraft delivery. These options may
be at a specified dollar amount or at FMV "to be determined six months prior to
green delivery" of the Gulfstream V. The Company continues to assess those
options which are at a fixed dollar amount in light of market conditions and has
determined such fixed dollar options are less than the FMV estimated for the
time of Gulfstream V aircraft delivery. Although no assurance can be given that
the fixed dollar trade-in aircraft values will remain at or below FMV at the
time of trade, any adjustments required for values in excess of FMV will be
appropriately reflected in the new aircraft sales transaction and the pre-owned
inventory will be stated on the Company's books at the lower of cost or
estimated realizable value.
 
    The Company has obtained certification of Gulfstream IIIs, Gulfstream IVs
and Gulfstream IV-SPs for use in the Commonwealth of Independent States (the
former Soviet Union) as a part of the Company's efforts to develop select
international markets through the introduction of lower priced, pre-owned
Gulfstreams.
 
    AIRCRAFT SERVICES, PARTS AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
 
    The Company is committed to supporting, servicing and expanding the
Gulfstream aircraft fleet as part of its customer-oriented strategy. The Company
provides worldwide service and support by integrating a network of Company-owned
service centers, three levels of authorized third-party service providers,
worldwide parts depots, worldwide service representatives and 24 hour-a-day
technical/AOG (aircraft on the ground) support. The Company believes that the
service business offers potential for future expansion and growth as the
Gulfstream fleet grows and that the high level of service the Company provides
results in significant repeat business.
 
    SERVICE CENTERS.  The Company operates service centers in Savannah and
Brunswick, Georgia and Long Beach, California for aircraft maintenance
functions, including modifications and major repairs. In 1996, the Company
opened a new 200,000 square foot, state-of-the-art, service facility in
Savannah, Georgia, with capacity for 12 to 20 Gulfstream Vs and Gulfstream
IV-SPs. In 1997, the Company expanded the Service Center operations in Savannah
to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
 
    The Company has license agreements with Marshalls of Cambridge (Cambridge,
England), Chrysler's Pentastar Aviation subsidiary (Ypsilanti, Michigan) and Jet
Aviation (Singapore) to provide service, maintenance and repairs for Gulfstream
aircraft. The licensees provide additional geographic service locations for the
expanding Gulfstream fleet. Royalty fees are paid to the Company by the
licensees based on labor hours expended. In addition, Associated Airlines
(Melbourne, Australia) and Jet Aviation Business Jets (Geneva and Basel,
Switzerland) serve as authorized warranty centers.
 
    PARTS.  Parts are provided to aircraft owners through a network of five
Company parts depots. Proprietary initiatives (including cancellation of
discounts to third-party outlets, a gradual adjustment of parts pricing for high
use items, and a gradual elimination of international price premiums) were
undertaken to develop, improve and sustain the Company's competitive advantage
in the fragmented parts market and to improve customer service levels.
 
    TECHNICAL INFORMATION.  The Company markets aircraft support publications
and technical documents to its customers and to third party service facilities.
Additionally, a proprietary computerized maintenance program (CMP) is offered as
a subscription service to customers for the management and tracking of the
maintenance status of their aircraft. Approximately 95% of the Company's
customers utilize this service. The Company has instituted a policy requiring
third-party maintenance facilities to purchase factory technical support for
scheduled maintenance performed on customer aircraft.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
    SERVICECARE.  In 1997, the Company introduced its ServiceCare program, the
first comprehensive airframe, engine and avionics maintenance program to be
offered in the business aircraft market. The program provides customers of new
Gulfstream IV-SPs with scheduled and unscheduled maintenance at guaranteed
costs. Coverage is provided on a world-wide basis, with all work to be
accomplished at Gulfstream or Gulfstream authorized service centers.
 
    AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SERVICES.  The Company has developed a proactive
marketing and sales effort in its maintenance services operations, which has
resulted in an increase in market share to approximately 60% of the maintenance
services market for the Gulfstream fleet in 1997. The Company's estimated market
share was approximately 55% in 1996.
 
    TRAINING AND FACILITIES.  The Company provides pilot and maintenance
training services to its customers as an integral component of the sale of new
Gulfstream IV-SP, Gulfstream V and pre-owned Gulfstream aircraft. The Company
has long-term agreements with FlightSafety International ("FSI") for the
provision of this high quality training service.
 
    FSI maintains and operates training facilities co-located with the Company's
Savannah and Long Beach operations. In 1997, FSI completed a new 65,000 square
foot training facility adjacent to the Gulfstream Service Center in Savannah.
This facility, which became operational in January 1998, contains 21 classrooms,
16 briefing rooms and four CPM (cockpit procedures modules) rooms. In addition,
it houses simulators supporting the entire Gulfstream product line (Gulfstream I
through Gulfstream V). Gulfstream, in conjunction with FSI, facilitates the
operation of a Customer Training Advisory Board which provides direct customer
and original equipment manufacturer input to FSI's training curriculums and
course content.
 
    Additionally, pilot and maintenance training services are provided to
Gulfstream customers by SimuFlite Training International ("SimuFlite") located
at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Texas. SimuFlite provides training
services for Gulfstream II, Gulfstream III and Gulfstream IV aircraft.
Gulfstream, in conjunction with SimuFlite, facilitates the operation of an
additional Customer Training Advisory Board which provides direct customer and
original equipment manufacturer input to SimuFlite training curriculums and
course content.
 
    GULFSTREAM CHARTER AND AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
 
    The Company has developed Gulfstream Charter Services to provide its
customers with easy access to the Gulfstream charter market. The program helps
customers meet their interim and supplemental lift requirements by connecting
potential Gulfstream charter customers with operators through a private label
relationship with a charter services manager. In addition, Gulfstream, in
conjunction with Chrysler Pentastar Aviation, Inc., recently announced the
introduction of Gulfstream Management Services, a program for the management of
Gulfstream aircraft. Through this service, individual and corporate owners of
Gulfstream aircraft can receive aircrew, dispatch and maintenance management
services.
 
    GULFSTREAM OPERATING LEASE
 
    The Company is in the process of developing a Gulfstream operating lease
program. This program, which is expected to include third party participation,
would provide an important vehicle for new Gulfstream aircraft sales, offer
customers an additional solution for their interim aircraft operating needs and
introduce customers with less initial capital to Gulfstream's product offerings.
Gulfstream will market the leases, provide maintenance services and share in the
operating lease profits. The Company expects this product to have significant
international as well as domestic potential.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
    AIRCRAFT FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
 
    The Company, through its subsidiary Gulfstream Financial Services
Corporation, provides customers with access to customized financial products to
support the worldwide sale of Gulfstream new and pre-owned aircraft. GFSC
representatives typically consult with potential customers to develop the most
effective means of financing the purchase of a Gulfstream jet for each such
customer's specialized needs.
 
    The financial products (including capital and operating leases, loans, tax
advantaged leases, like-kind exchange options, and Export-Import Bank support)
are provided on a competitive basis through proprietary, private label
relationships with prominent providers of aircraft financing, that have full
credit review and approval rights and assume all credit risk with no recourse to
the Company. Additionally, the Company and its North American financing provider
have entered into a re-marketing arrangement which enables the Company to manage
the resale of any Gulfstream aircraft whose lease financing period has ended.
This private label agreement has a term of five years from 1996 with a minimum
lending commitment of $250 million annually, and can be extended by mutual
agreement of the parties. GFSC has facilitated financing for over $550 million
of new and pre-owned aircraft sales in 1996 and 1997.
 
    The Company believes that the access provided by GFSC to financing sources
for customers throughout the world serves to expedite and increase sales of new
and pre-owned aircraft and also enables the Company to effectively manage the
residual values of the Gulfstream fleet.
 
BACKLOG AND NEW ORDERS
 
    At March 31, 1998, the Company had a firm contract backlog of approximately
$2.8 billion, representing a total of 47 contracts for Gulfstream Vs and 41
contracts for Gulfstream IV-SPs. In addition, during the quarter ended March 31,
1998, the Company signed a contract for 12 Gulfstream IV-SPs to expand its
highly successful Gulfstream Shares fractional ownership program into the Middle
East region. This contract is valued at approximately $335 million and is not
included in the Company's backlog. In 1993, the Company established very
stringent deposit requirements for recording aircraft into its backlog. The
contract for the Middle East Shares expansion includes modestly different
deposit requirements early in the program. The Company has decided for the
initial phase of the program to record these orders when the aircraft are
delivered. Including the Middle East contract, the Company had a total of 100
aircraft, valued at approximately $3.1 billion of potential future revenues,
under contract.
 
    The Company includes an order in backlog only if the Company has entered
into a purchase contract (with no contingencies) with a customer and has
received a significant (generally non-refundable) deposit from the customer.
Approximately 51% of the Company's contractual backlog (which excludes the
contract for 12 Gulfstream IV-SPs for the Middle East Shares program) is
scheduled for delivery beyond 1998. Approximately 80% of the Company's backlog
is North American and approximately 20% is international.
 
    Generally, at the signing of a Gulfstream IV-SP or Gulfstream V contract, a
customer makes a non-refundable deposit with the Company. Subsequently, the
customer makes a series of significant progress payments, with approximately 90%
of the purchase price paid prior to delivery of the green aircraft. The Company
monitors the condition of its backlog and believes, based on the nature of its
customers and its historical experience, that there will not be a significant
number of cancellations. However, to the extent that there is a lengthy period
of time between a customer's aircraft order and its expected delivery date,
there may be increased uncertainty as to changes in business and economic
conditions which may affect customer cancellations.
 
    New orders for the Gulfstream V and the Gulfstream IV-SP totaled seven and
39 in 1997, 21 and 44 in 1996, and 12 and 30 in 1995, respectively. In the first
quarter of 1998, the Company received 13 new
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
orders, nine Gulfstream Vs and four Gulfstream IV-SPs, which are included in
backlog and signed a contract for 12 Gulfstream IV-SPs for the Middle East
Shares program (which are not included in backlog). Orders tend to vary from
year to year reflecting a number of factors, including competitive
circumstances, worldwide economic and geopolitical conditions and the timing of
customer decisions in placing new orders due to budget planning and specific
transportation needs.
 
CUSTOMERS AND MARKETING
 
    The majority of the Company's aircraft are sold to national and
multinational corporations and governments. Gulfstream's aircraft are operated
by customers in a wide spectrum of industries and customer groups, including:
pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, high technology, energy, industrial
manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, mining, transportation,
communications, public utilities, retail trade, the United States government,
other sovereign entities and individuals. Seventy percent of the Gulfstream
fleet is based in North America and 30% of the fleet is based in 45 countries
worldwide. Current owners of Gulfstream aircraft include 31 of the Fortune 50
companies and 117 of the Fortune 500 companies. In addition, the United States
government, including all branches of the United States military, and 38 foreign
governments operate Gulfstream aircraft. Gulfstream aircraft provide air
transportation for the President, Vice President and other senior members of the
United States government. Over 40 Gulfstream aircraft are currently in operation
with various United States government agencies, including the FAA.
 
    The diverse Gulfstream customer base combined with wide geographic
distribution requires an integrated marketing, communications and sales
approach. The Company's marketing and communications program is designed to
create general awareness of the Company, its products and services, while the
sales approach is highly personalized and focused on the key decision makers, as
well as flight departments and other managers within the customer's
organization.
 
    Gulfstream operates an International Advisory Board of 17 prominent
international business executives and senior statesmen to advise the Company on
international activities in support of the Company's strategic initiatives to
further penetrate the international markets.
 
    The Company's marketing and communications program is a carefully integrated
combination of business and trade advertising, direct mail, press coverage,
trade shows and special events. These activities are specifically developed to
create personal selling opportunities for the sales team and senior management
with assistance from the Board of Directors and International Advisory Board.
 
    The Company has 22 sales executives located both in North America and around
the world. Internationally, the Company also utilizes independent agents who
facilitate transactions in selected local markets.
 
    The Company pursues government and special mission business opportunities
worldwide with a four person sales team located in Washington, D.C. These sales
executives are specifically suited by their background and experience to deal
with military and government customers. The Company's government relations
function also involves two people with experience in regulatory, legislative and
appropriations processes essential to the conduct of the Company's business with
the United States government.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The business aircraft market generally is divided into four segments (light,
medium, large and ultra-long range) of aircraft either designed or converted for
business use.
 
    The Gulfstream IV-SP competes in the large cabin business jet aircraft
market segment, principally with Dassault Aviation S.A. and, to a lesser extent,
Bombardier. The Gulfstream V competes in the ultra-long range business jet
aircraft market segment, primarily with the Global Express which is being
marketed by Canadair, a subsidiary of Bombardier, and which is scheduled for
certification in the second
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
quarter 1998. In July 1996, Boeing, in partnership with General Electric Co.,
publicly announced that it intends to begin to market a version of the Boeing
737 into the ultra-long range business jet aircraft market segment. Boeing has
indicated that it expects that this aircraft could be available for delivery in
the fourth quarter of 1998. In addition, Airbus Industries announced in June
1997 that it intends to manufacture a version of the A319CJ for the ultra-long
range business jet market and expects certification and delivery of this
aircraft in early 1999. The Company's competitors may have access to greater
resources (including, in certain cases, governmental subsidies) than are
available to the Company. The Company believes, however, that it competes
favorably with its competitors on the basis of the performance characteristics
of its aircraft, the quality, range and timeliness of the service it provides
and its innovative marketing techniques, and that it has the leading market
share in both the large cabin and ultra-long range business jet aircraft market
segments. The Company believes its aircraft's operating costs are comparable to
or lower than those of its competitors and that its products are competitively
priced.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
    The Company conducts an internally funded research and development program
primarily for the enhancement of the existing Gulfstream aircraft fleet and for
the development of new aircraft. The Company's research and development
expenditures are cyclical and tend to be relatively high several years prior to
the introduction of a new aircraft model and to decrease significantly as that
product cycle matures. All amounts expended on research and development are
expensed as incurred.
 
    The Company's research and development program is based on product and
process improvement to satisfy changing customer needs and changing regulatory
requirements. The Company's research and development efforts have focused on
improving operating efficiencies, performance, safety and reliability, reducing
pilot workloads, realizing environmental benefits, reducing weight and improving
ease of manufacture.
 
    The Company believes that its emphasis on technology and product
improvements for aircraft in the Gulfstream fleet has provided and will continue
to provide added value for the Gulfstream customer. For aircraft already
produced and in service, aircraft changes, which incorporate product
improvements, are generally made available for purchase by existing owners of
Gulfstream aircraft.
 
MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS
 
    Approximately 70% of the production costs of both the Gulfstream IV-SP and
the Gulfstream V consist of purchased materials and equipment. Many materials
and items of equipment used in the production of the Company's aircraft, such as
the engines, wings, landing gear and avionics systems, are purchased from other
manufacturers, generally pursuant to long-term purchase orders. For the
Gulfstream V, the Company has entered into revenue sharing agreements for the
wing and empennage. Under these agreements, the revenue share partner is
responsible for the detailed design, tooling and manufacture of the systems in
exchange for a fixed percentage of revenues of each Gulfstream V sold. As is
typical among general aviation aircraft manufacturers, the Company relies on
single source suppliers for complex aircraft components and systems. These
single sources are selected based on overall aircraft systems requirements,
quality and certification requirements and competitiveness in the market. The
Company's major suppliers include Rolls-Royce Commercial Aero Engines Limited
(Gulfstream IV-SP engines), BMW Rolls-Royce GmbH (Gulfstream V engines),
Honeywell Incorporated (Gulfstream IV-SP and Gulfstream V flight management
systems/avionics), The Aerostructures Corporation (Gulfstream IV-SP wing),
Northrop Grumman Corporation (Gulfstream V wing revenue share partner and
Gulfstream IV-SP nacelle supplier), Fokker Aviation B.V., a subsidiary of Stork
B.V., (Gulfstream V empennage revenue share partner), The B.F. Goodrich Co.
(Gulfstream IV-SP and Gulfstream V landing gears and air speed sensors),
Sundstrand Corp. (Gulfstream V electrical system and actuators) and
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
AlliedSignal, Inc. (Gulfstream IV-SP and Gulfstream V auxiliary power unit and
environmental control systems and Gulfstream IV-SP electrical systems).
 
    Suppliers are selected on the basis of their ability to produce high quality
systems and components at competitive prices on a timely basis. The Company has
had continuing relationships with most of its major suppliers since the
inception of the Gulfstream II program in 1966. Ongoing supplier relationships
are dependent on cooperation, performance and the maintenance of competitive
pricing. From time to time suppliers have been replaced as the quality of such
suppliers' products declined or the costs associated therewith failed to remain
competitive. While the Company's production activities have not been materially
affected by the inability to obtain essential components, and while it maintains
business interruption insurance in the event that such a disruption should
occur, the failure of certain suppliers or subcontractors to meet the Company's
performance specifications, quality standards or delivery schedules could
adversely impact the Company's operations. In addition, the Company's ability to
significantly increase its production rate could be limited by the ability of
its key suppliers to increase their delivery rates; however, in the past, the
Company's ability to maintain or increase production has not been significantly
limited by suppliers' performance. In addition, under many of its supply
contracts, the Company is permitted to increase or decrease the quantity of
components or systems being ordered at no cost on six months notice.
 
    The Company has negotiated multi-year agreements with its major Gulfstream
IV-SP and Gulfstream V suppliers. All of the agreements with the exception of
the revenue share agreements, allow schedule flexibility and have no cost
termination clauses at the Company's option, subject to certain conditions and
prior notification periods. The terms of the revenue share agreements with
Northrop Grumman Corporation for the wing and Fokker Aviation B.V. for the
empennage continue so long as the Company is manufacturing the Gulfstream V and
prices are determined as a function of the sale price of the Gulfstream
aircraft.
 
REGULATION
 
    In order for an aircraft model to be manufactured for sale, the FAA must
issue a Type Certificate and a Production Certificate for the aircraft model
and, in order for an individual aircraft to be operated, an Airworthiness
Certificate. Type Certificates are issued by the FAA when an aircraft model is
determined to meet certain performance, environmental, safety and other
technical criteria. The Production Certificate ensures that the aircraft is
built to specifications approved under the Type Certificate. An Airworthiness
Certificate is issued for a particular aircraft when it is certified to have
been built in accordance with specifications approved under the Type Certificate
for that particular model aircraft. Gulfstream has never had a Type Certificate
or a Production Certificate suspended, nor had any jet aircraft grounded as the
result of regulatory action.
 
    All of the Company's aircraft models comply with all currently applicable
federal laws and regulations pertaining to aircraft noise and engine emissions.
Due to their weight (under 75,000 pounds), all Gulfstream II, III, IV and IV-SP
aircraft are currently exempt from the FAA Stage 3 noise requirements.
Notwithstanding federal requirements, foreign and local jurisdictions and
airport authorities may establish more stringent restrictions pertaining to
aircraft noise. Such local and foreign regulations in several locations
currently restrict the operation of certain jet aircraft, including the
Gulfstream II, IIB and III and certain of their competitors from landing or
taking off during late evening and early morning hours. Each of the Gulfstream
IV, IV-SP and V aircraft produce noise levels below the FAA's Stage 3 and ICAO's
Chapter 3 noise ceilings.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    At March 31, 1998, the Company employed approximately 5,900 persons, of whom
approximately 4,100 were employed at the Company's Savannah, Georgia facility,
100 were employed at the Brunswick, Georgia facility, 650 were employed at the
Bethany, Oklahoma facility, 630 were employed at the
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
Long Beach, California facility and 400 were employed at the Mexicali, Mexico
facility. None of the workers at the Savannah, Brunswick, Long Beach, or
Mexicali facilities are unionized. In 1996, the Company entered into a five-year
contract with the International Union of United Automobile, Aerospace &
Agricultural Implement Workers of America, which represents certain of the
Company's employees at its Bethany, Oklahoma plant. The Company considers its
overall employee relations to be good.
 
PROPERTIES
 
    The Company's production and service facilities are located in Savannah and
Brunswick, Georgia; Bethany, Oklahoma; Long Beach, California; and Mexicali,
Mexico.
 
    The Savannah facility occupies approximately 1,500,000 square feet and is
the location of the Company's corporate offices. Functions performed at the
Savannah complex include Gulfstream IV-SP and Gulfstream V manufacturing,
assembly and completion, product support, service, repair and overhaul of
customer-owned Gulfstream aircraft and new product design, engineering and
development. The Savannah completion center, occupying approximately 140,000
square feet, is adjacent to the aircraft production line and simultaneously
accommodates completion of up to 10 Gulfstream IV-SP or six Gulfstream V
aircraft. All of the land and buildings constituting the Savannah facility are
owned by the Company.
 
    Any prolonged disruption in the use of the Savannah facility due to the
destruction of or material damage to such facility, or other reasons, could have
an adverse effect on the Company's operations. The Company maintains property
and business interruption insurance to protect against any such disruption, but
there can be no assurance that the proceeds of such insurance would be adequate
to repair or rebuild its facilities in such event or to compensate the Company
for losses incurred during the period of any such disruption.
 
    The Company leases approximately 53,000 square feet of hangar and adjacent
office space in Brunswick, Georgia. The Brunswick facility is both a service
center facility and completion facility and has the capacity for four aircraft.
The lease term, which is renewable annually at Gulfstream's option, extends to
May 1998.
 
    The Bethany facility occupies approximately 500,000 square feet, all of
which are in buildings leased under leases expiring in 2007. At the Bethany
facility, the Company manufactures over 17,000 different detail parts for the
Gulfstream IV-SP and over 13,000 for the Gulfstream V.
 
    The 250,000 square foot Long Beach facility consists of completion
facilities, which have capacity for eight aircraft, service center facilities,
which have capacity for seven aircraft, and design and administrative functions.
The Company owns the buildings and leases the land; the lease expires in 2014.
 
    During 1997, the Company entered into a lease for an additional 62,000
square foot hangar building located on the same airport and in close proximity
to the Long Beach facility. The hangar is used for both service and completion
operations and has a capacity for six aircraft; the lease expires in 1999. The
Company continues to lease an adjacent facility of approximately 22,000 square
feet used as a completion facility with a capacity for two aircraft; the lease
expires in 2000. Also during 1997, the Long Beach facility expanded further by
completing a 59,000 square foot aircraft paint facility. The Company owns this
building, and leases the land at this facility; the lease expires in 2007. The
expansions described above are part of the Company's overall plan to more than
double the 1996 annual production levels to approximately 60 Gulfstream V and
Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft by 1999.
 
    The Company's Mexicali, Mexico plant occupies approximately 50,000 square
feet of leased space under leases expiring in December 1998 and assembles
electrical products, including wire harnesses, used in Gulfstream production,
and performs repair and service operations.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
    Set forth below are the directors and executive officers of each of the
Company, Gulfstream Aircraft Incorporated, the Company's sales and marketing
subsidiary, and Gulfstream Financial Services Corporation, the Company's
financing subsidiary, as of the date hereof. The Company does not have a Chief
Executive Officer, but operates principally through a five-member management
committee (the "Management Committee") chaired by Theodore J. Forstmann and
comprised of four other key executives who share responsibility for strategic
decisions, management and oversight of the Company's operations. Each Management
Committee member is also individually responsible for leadership of specific
organizations within the Company, such as engineering, manufacturing and
service, finance and information technology, and sales and marketing. Officers
serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                 AGE                            POSITION
- -------------------------------      ---      ----------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>          <C>
Theodore J. Forstmann (c),               58   Chairman of the Board and Director of the Company;
(d)............................                 Chairman of the Management Committee
Bryan T. Moss (a)..............          58   Vice Chairman of the Board and Director of the
                                                Company;
                                              Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
                                                Gulfstream Aircraft Incorporated;
                                                Management Committee member
James T. Johnson (c)...........          55   President, Chief Operating Officer and Director of
                                              the Company;
                                              Management Committee member
Chris A. Davis (a).............          47   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
                                              and Secretary and Director of the Company;
                                              Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                                                of Gulfstream Aircraft Incorporated;
                                              President and Chief Operating Officer of Gulfstream
                                                Financial Services Corporation;
                                                Management Committee member
W.W. Boisture, Jr. (b).........          53   Executive Vice President and Director of the
                                              Company; President and Chief Operating Officer of
                                                Gulfstream Aircraft Incorporated;
                                                Management Committee member
Robert Anderson (c)............          77   Director
Charlotte L. Beers (a).........          62   Director
Thomas D. Bell, Jr. (a)........          48   Director
Lynn Forester (c)..............          43   Director
Nicholas C. Forstmann (a),               51   Director
(d)............................
Sandra J. Horbach (b)..........          37   Director
Henry A. Kissinger (b).........          74   Director
Drew Lewis (c).................          66   Director
Mark H. McCormack (c)..........          67   Director
Michael S. Ovitz (b)...........          51   Director
Allen E. Paulson (b)...........          76   Director
Roger S. Penske (a)............          61   Director
Colin L. Powell (b)............          61   Director
Gerard R. Roche (c)............          66   Director
Donald H. Rumsfeld (a).........          65   Director
George P. Shultz (b)...........          77   Director
Robert S. Strauss (c)..........          79   Director
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(a) Class I director.
(b) Class II director.
(c) Class III director.
(d) Theodore J. Forstmann and Nicholas C. Forstmann are brothers.
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
    Theodore J. Forstmann has served as Chairman of the Board of the Company
since November 1993 and is Chairman of the Company's Management Committee. Mr.
Forstmann has been a general partner of FLC Partnership, L.P. since he
co-founded Forstmann Little in 1978. He is also a director of General Instrument
Corporation.
 
    Bryan T. Moss has served as Vice Chairman and a director of the Company and
Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gulfstream Aircraft Incorporated
since March 1995 and is a member of the Company's Management Committee. Prior to
joining the Company, he was President of Bombardier Business Aircraft Division
where he was responsible for the Challenger and Global Express business jet
programs from 1989 to March 1995.
 
    James T. Johnson has served as President, Chief Operating Officer and a
director of the Company since August 1997 and is a member of the Company's
Management Committee. Mr. Johnson was President of GE Capital Aviation Services
from 1994 to July 1997. He was Executive Vice President of United Technologies
and President of the Large Commercial Engines Business of its Pratt & Whitney
subsidiary in 1993. Prior to 1993, Mr. Johnson served in increasingly senior
positions during a 28-year career at The Boeing Company, most recently as Vice
President and General Manager of its Everett Division.
 
    Chris A. Davis has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company since July 1993, Secretary since August 1996 and a
director since March 1997 and is a member of the Company's Management Committee.
She is also President and Chief Operating Officer of Gulfstream Financial
Services Corporation and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Gulfstream Aircraft Incorporated. Ms. Davis served in increasingly senior
financial management positions at General Electric Company from 1978 to 1993,
most recently as chief financial officer of its Electronic Systems Division. Ms.
Davis is also a director of Wolverine Tube, Inc.
 
    W.W. Boisture, Jr. has served as Executive Vice President of the Company
since February 1994 and as a director since February 1995 and is a member of the
Company's Management Committee. Mr. Boisture has principal responsibility for
the Company's sales and marketing activities and is President and Chief
Operating Officer of Gulfstream Aircraft Incorporated. Prior to joining the
Company, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of British Aerospace
Corporate Jets from October 1992 through 1993 where he was responsible for the
"Hawker" business jet product line and its worldwide marketing, sales and
support organization. From early 1990 to 1992, Mr. Boisture was Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Butler Aviation, a nationwide aviation
services company.
 
    Robert Anderson has been a director of the Company since March 1990. He has
served as Chairman Emeritus of Rockwell Corporation since February 1990. Mr.
Anderson is also a director of Optical Data Networks, Inc., the Timken Company,
Aftermarket Technology Corp. and Motor Cargo Industries.
 
    Charlotte L. Beers has been a director of the Company since July 1993. She
has been Chairman Emeritus of Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, Inc. ("Ogilvy &
Mather") since April 1997. She was Chairman of Ogilvy & Mather from April 1992
to April 1997 and Chief Executive Officer from April 1992 to September 1996.
 
    Thomas D. Bell, Jr. has been a director of the Company since April 1994. Mr.
Bell has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Burson-Marsteller, a
division of Young & Rubicam Inc., since May 1995. Mr. Bell was Vice Chairman of
the Company from April 1994 to April 1995. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Bell served as
Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Burson-Marsteller. Mr. Bell is also
a director of Lincoln National Corporation.
 
    Lynn Forester has been a director of the Company since March 1997. She has
been President and Chief Executive Officer of FirstMark Holdings, Inc., since
1984. From 1989 to December 1994, she was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of TPI Communications International, Inc. She is also a director of
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
General Instrument Corporation and Vice Chairman of the Corporate Commission on
Educational Technology.
 
    Nicholas C. Forstmann has been a director of the Company since March 1990.
He has been a general partner of FLC Partnership, L.P. since he co-founded
Forstmann Little in 1978. He is also a director of CommScope, Inc.
 
    Sandra J. Horbach has been a director of the Company since September 1994.
She has been a general partner of FLC Partnership, L.P. since January 1993. She
joined Forstmann Little in August 1987. She is also a director of Department 56,
Inc.
 
    Henry A. Kissinger has been a director of the Company since December 1997.
Dr. Kissinger is Chairman of Kissinger Associates, Inc., an international
consulting firm. He was United States Secretary of State from 1973 to 1977 and
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from 1969 to 1975. Dr.
Kissinger has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of
Freedom and the Medal of Liberty. Dr. Kissinger is also a director of
Continental Grain Company, Revlon, Inc., Freeport & McMoran Copper and Gold,
Inc. and Hollinger International Inc.
 
    Drew Lewis has been a director of the Company since March 1990. He has
served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Union Pacific Corporation from
October 1987 to December 1996. He is also a director of Union Pacific Resources
Group, Inc., American Express Company, Lucent Technologies, FPL Group, Inc.,
Gannett Co., Inc. and AmTec Communications.
 
    Mark H. McCormack has been a director of the Company since May 1997. Mr.
McCormack has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of
International Management Group since 1965. He also serves as a director of Fruit
of the Loom, Inc. and Planet Hollywood International, Inc.
 
    Michael S. Ovitz has been a director of the Company since March 1997. He is
an independent businessman and investor. From October 1995 to December 1996, Mr.
Ovitz was President of The Walt Disney Company. From 1975 to 1995, Mr. Ovitz
served as chairman of Creative Artists Agency, which he co-founded.
 
    Allen E. Paulson has been a director of the Company since March 1990. He
served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Gulfstream
Aerospace Corporation (a Georgia corporation and wholly owned indirect
subsidiary of the Company) and its predecessors from 1978, when he purchased the
corporate jet division of Grumman Aerospace and began Gulfstream American (a
predecessor of the Company), to 1992. He has also served as Chairman of the
Company from March 1990 and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from January
1992 to August 1992. He is also a director of CardioDynamics International Corp.
and Full House Resorts, Inc.
 
    Roger S. Penske has been a director of the Company since December 1993. Mr.
Penske has been Chairman and a director of Penske Corporation since 1969 and
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Detroit Diesel Corporation
since 1987. Mr. Penske is also a director of Penske Motorsports, Inc., Philip
Morris Companies Inc. and General Electric Co.
 
    Colin L. Powell has been a director of the Company since May 1996. General
Powell is Chairman of America's Promise--The Alliance for Youth. Mr. Powell
served as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1989 to
September 1993. Prior to that, Mr. Powell served as the National Security
Adviser from December 1987 to January 1989.
 
    Gerard R. Roche has been a director of the Company since January 1993. Mr.
Roche has been Chairman of Heidrick & Struggles, Inc. since 1981.
 
    Donald H. Rumsfeld has been a director of the Company since April 1993. Mr.
Rumsfeld has been in private business since August 1993. From October 1990 to
August 1993, Mr. Rumsfeld served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
General Instrument Corporation. Mr. Rumsfeld is also a director
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
of ABB AB, Kellogg Company, Sears Roebuck and Co. and Tribune Company. From 1962
to 1977, Mr. Rumsfeld served in a variety of U.S. Government posts, including
U.S. Congressman, Ambassador to NATO, White House Chief of Staff and Secretary
of Defense.
 
    George P. Shultz has been a director of the Company since November 1991. Mr.
Shultz served as the United States Secretary of State from July 1982 until
January 1989 and is a Distinguished Fellow of the Hoover Institute. Mr. Shultz
is also a director of AirTouch Communications, Inc. and Gilead Sciences, Inc.
 
    Robert S. Strauss has been a director of the Company since April 1993. Mr.
Strauss is a founder of and partner in the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss,
Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. ("Akin Gump") and served as U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet
Union, and upon its dissolution, to the Russian Federation from August 1991 to
November 1992. In November 1992, Mr. Strauss returned to Akin Gump. Mr. Strauss
is also a director of Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. and Hollinger International
Inc.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD
 
    In 1994, the Company established an International Advisory Board of 17
prominent international business executives and senior statesmen to counsel the
Company and assist in its strategic initiatives to further penetrate
international markets. The International Advisory Board, which meets once a
year, is comprised of the following individuals, representing the principal
geographic areas of the world.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              NAME                       PRINCIPAL AFFILIATION           GEOGRAPHIC AREA
- ---------------------------------  ---------------------------------  ----------------------
<S>                                <C>                                <C>
Theodore J. Forstmann............  Chairman of the Company and Co-    United States
                                     founder of Forstmann Little
George P. Shultz.................  Former U.S. Secretary of State;    United States
  (Co-Chairman)                      Distinguished Fellow, Hoover
                                     Institute
Robert S. Strauss................  Former Ambassador to the Soviet    United States
  (Co-Chairman)                      Union and Russian Federation;
                                     Partner, Akin, Gump, Strauss,
                                     Hauer & Feld, L.L.P.
Henry A. Kissinger...............  Former U.S. Secretary of State;    United States
  (Co-Chairman)                      Chairman of Kissinger
                                     Associates, Inc.
Fouad M.T. Alghanim..............  Chairman of Alghanim Group         Saudi Arabia
Conrad M. Black..................  Chairman and Chief Executive       Canada
                                     Officer of Hollinger, Inc.
Gustavo A. Cisneros..............  President and Chief Executive      South America
                                     Officer of Cisneros Group of
                                     Companies
Bernard Duc......................  Senior Partner, H.M.I., Ltd.       Southeast Asia
Claudio X. Gonzalez..............  Chairman and Chief Executive       Mexico
                                     Officer of Kimberly Clark de
                                     Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
Hong-choo Hyun...................  Attorney at Law, Kim & Chang       Korea
Henry H. Keswick.................  Chairman of Matheson & Co.,        United Kingdom/Europe
                                     Limited
David K.P. Li....................  Chairman and Chief Executive       Hong Kong/China
                                     Officer of The Bank of East
                                     Asia, Limited
Karl Otto Pohl...................  Partner, Sal. Oppenheim Jr. &      Germany
                                   Cie.
Lord Jacob Rothschild............  Chairman of J. Rothschild Group    United Kingdom/Europe
Julio Mario Santo Domingo, Sr....  Chairman of the Board of Bavaria,  South America
                                     S.A.
Hiroshi Toyokawa.................  President of Okura & Co., Ltd.     Japan
Alec Wildenstein.................  Chief Executive Officer of         Europe
                                     Wildenstein & Co.
</TABLE>
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
    The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of Common Stock (i) immediately prior to the consummation of the
Offerings, and (ii) as adjusted to reflect the sale of the shares of Common
Stock pursuant to the Offerings by each Selling Stockholder participating in the
Offerings. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons or entities listed below
have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by them, except to the extent such power may be shared with a
spouse.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          SHARES BENEFICIALLY                             SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                             OWNED PRIOR TO                                   OWNED AFTER
                                             OFFERINGS (1)                                   OFFERINGS (1)
                                      ----------------------------                 ----------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>                  <C>
                                                                       NUMBER
                                                                         OF
                                                                       SHARES
NAME                                     NUMBER       PERCENT(2)     OFFERED(1)          NUMBER          PERCENT(2)
- ------------------------------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------------  -------------
MBO-IV (3)..........................     19,467,013         26.8%       9,201,098        10,265,915            13.6%
Gulfstream Partners (3).............      5,071,259          7.0%       2,396,934         2,674,325             3.5%
Gulfstream Partners II, L.P. (3)....      6,853,399          9.4%       3,239,264         3,614,135             4.8%
Robert Anderson.....................         61,335            *           28,991            32,344               *
Charlotte L. Beers..................         30,889            *           14,600            16,289               *
Thomas D. Bell, Jr..................        123,555            *           58,398            65,157               *
W.W. Boisture, Jr...................        379,481            *          209,010           173,752               *
Chris A. Davis......................        247,110            *          116,797           130,313               *
Lynn Forester.......................         13,333            *           18,906                 0               *
Nicholas C. Forstmann (3)...........     31,391,671         43.2%      14,837,296        16,554,375            21.9%
Theodore J. Forstmann (3)...........     31,766,671         43.7%      15,103,702        16,662,969            22.1%
Sandra J. Horbach (3)...............      6,928,399          9.5%       3,292,545         3,635,854             4.8%
James T. Johnson....................              0            *          472,650                 0               *
Henry A. Kissinger..................              0            *           66,171                 0               *
Drew Lewis (3)......................         30,447            *           14,391            16,056               *
Mark H. McCormack...................         13,333            *           18,906                 0               *
Bryan T. Moss.......................        370,666            *          175,196           195,470               *
Michael S. Ovitz....................         13,333            *           18,906                 0               *
Roger S. Penske.....................         61,778            *           29,199            32,579               *
Colin L. Powell.....................         37,500            *           39,961                 0               *
Gerard R. Roche.....................         30,889            *           14,600            16,289               *
Donald H. Rumsfeld (4)..............         61,778            *           29,199            32,579               *
George P. Shultz....................         61,335            *           28,991            32,344               *
Robert S. Strauss...................         61,335            *           28,991            32,344               *
 
ADDITIONAL SELLING STOCKHOLDERS:
247 additional Selling Stockholders,
  each of whom is selling less than
  133,000 shares in the Offerings
  and will beneficially own less
  than 1% of the outstanding Common
  Stock after the Offerings (5).....      2,820,590          3.9%       1,459,154         1,476,205             2.0%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   The percentage of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned does not exceed
    one percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
(1) For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have
    "beneficial ownership" of any shares of Common Stock which such person has
    the right to acquire within 60 days following May 1, 1998. For purposes of
    computing the percentage of outstanding shares of Common Stock held by each
    person or group of persons named above, any shares which such person or
    persons has or have the right to acquire within 60 days following May 1,
    1998 is deemed to be outstanding, but is not deemed to be outstanding for
    the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Each
    Selling Stockholder other than the Forstmann Little Partnerships (an "Other
    Selling Stockholder") has the right to participate with the Forstmann Little
    Partnerships in the Offerings. Other Selling Stockholders may participate in
    the Offerings with respect to their options regardless of whether they
    beneficially own the shares subject to such options for purposes of this
    table.
 
(2) Based on 72,680,919 shares outstanding on May 1, 1998 and 75,554,697 shares
    outstanding after the Offerings.
 
(3) MBO-IV is Forstmann Little & Co. Subordinated Debt and Equity Management
    Buyout Partnership-IV. The address of MBO-IV, Gulfstream Partners and
    Gulfstream Partners II, L.P., each a New York limited partnership, is c/o
    Forstmann Little & Co., 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153. The
    general partner of MBO-IV is FLC Partnership, L.P., a limited partnership of
    which Theodore J. Forstmann, Nicholas C. Forstmann, Steven B. Klinsky,
    Sandra J. Horbach, Winston W. Hutchins and Thomas H. Lister are general
    partners. The general partner of Gulfstream Partners is FLC XXI Partnership,
    a general partnership of which Wm. Brian Little, Nicholas C. Forstmann,
    Steven B. Klinsky, Winston W. Hutchins, John A. Sprague, Wm. Brian Little
    IRA, Winston W. Hutchins IRA, John A. Sprague IRA and TJ/JA L.P., a Delaware
    limited partnership, are general partners. The general partner of TJ/JA L.P.
    is Theodore J. Forstmann. The general partner of Gulfstream Partners II,
    L.P. is FLC XXIV Partnership, a general partnership of which Theodore J.
    Forstmann, Nicholas C. Forstmann, Wm. Brian Little, John A. Sprague, Steven
    B. Klinsky, Sandra J. Horbach and Winston W. Hutchins are general partners.
    Accordingly, each of such individuals and partnerships may be deemed the
    beneficial owners of shares owned by MBO-IV, Gulfstream Partners and/or
    Gulfstream Partners II, L.P. in which such individual or partnership is a
    partner. For the purposes of this table, such beneficial ownership is
    included. Ms. Horbach and Mr. Lister do not have any voting or investment
    power with respect to, or any economic interest in, the shares of Common
    Stock held by MBO-IV, and accordingly, Ms. Horbach and Mr. Lister are not
    deemed to be the beneficial owner thereof. Drew Lewis and Roger S. Penske
    are limited partners in Gulfstream Partners, and Roger S. Penske is a
    limited partner in Gulfstream Partners II, L.P. There are other limited
    partners in each of MBO-IV, Gulfstream Partners and Gulfstream Partners II,
    L.P., none of which is otherwise affiliated with the Company or FLC
    Partnership, L.P.
 
(4) Shares are beneficially owned by an irrevocable trust for the benefit of
    certain members of Mr. Rumsfeld's family. Mr. Rumsfeld disclaims beneficial
    ownership of such shares.
 
(5) Does not include shares held pursuant to the Gulfstream Aerospace
    Corporation Employee Investment Plan. Less than 9,000 shares of Common Stock
    are held by all employees of the Company as a group under such Plan.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
    Pursuant to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the
Company's authorized capital stock consists of (i) 300,000,000 shares of Common
Stock of which 75,554,697 shares will be issued and outstanding upon the
consummation of the Offerings (assuming the Underwriters' over-allotment options
are not exercised) and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, none of which
will be issued and outstanding upon completion of the Offerings. All outstanding
shares of Common Stock are, and the shares offered hereby will be, when issued
and sold, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
    After the consummation of the Offerings, the Forstmann Little Partnerships
will beneficially own approximately 21.9% of the Common Stock (21.1% on a fully
diluted basis) or 18.8% (18.2% on a fully diluted basis), assuming that the
Underwriters' over-allotment options are exercised in full. After the Offerings,
it is expected that the Forstmann Little Partnerships will continue to be the
largest stockholders of the Company and, collectively, are likely to be able to
influence the election of the Board of Directors of the Company and, in general,
to affect the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to
the stockholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations and the sale of
all or substantially all of the Company's assets. See "Risk Factors--Control by
Principal Stockholders; Limitations on Change of Control; Benefits to Principal
Stockholders" and "Selling Stockholders".
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share owned of
record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. There are no
cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the shares
voting for the election of directors can elect all the directors if they choose
to do so, subject to any voting rights of holders of Preferred Stock to elect
directors. Subject to the preferential rights of any outstanding series of
Preferred Stock, and to the restrictions on payment of dividends imposed by the
Credit Agreement, the holders of Common Stock will be entitled to such dividends
as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors from funds
legally available therefor, and will be entitled, after payment of all prior
claims, to receive pro rata all assets of the Company upon the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company. Holders of Common Stock have no
redemption or conversion rights or preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe
for securities of the Company.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    The authorized capital stock of the Company includes 20,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, none of which are currently issued or outstanding. The
Company's Board of Directors is authorized to divide the Preferred Stock into
series and, with respect to each series, to determine the preferences and rights
and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including the
dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights and terms,
liquidation preferences, sinking fund provisions, the number of shares
constituting the series and the designation of such series. The Board of
Directors could, without stockholder approval, issue Preferred Stock with voting
and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of
Common Stock and which could have certain anti-takeover effects. The Company has
no present plans to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS
 
    The Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a director of the
Company will not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for
monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except in
certain cases where liability is mandated by the Delaware General Corporation
Law (the "DGCL"). The Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws of
the Company provide for indemnification, to the fullest extent permitted by the
DGCL, of any person who is or was
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
involved in any manner in any pending, threatened or completed investigation,
claim or other proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director or officer of the Company or, at the request of the Company, is or was
serving as a director or officer of another entity, against all expenses,
liabilities, losses and claims actually incurred or suffered by such person in
connection with the investigation, claim or other proceeding. The Company and
Gulfstream Delaware have entered into agreements to provide indemnification for
the Company's directors and certain officers in addition to the indemnification
provided for in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws. These
agreements, among other things, will indemnify the Company's directors and
certain officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law for certain
expenses (including attorneys' fees) and all losses, claims, liabilities,
judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by such person arising out of
or in connection with such person's service as a director or officer of the
Company or another entity for which such person was serving as an officer or
director at the request of the Company. There is no pending litigation or
proceeding involving a director, officer, employee or other agent of the Company
or any other entity as to which indemnification is being sought from the
Company, and the Company is not aware of any pending or threatened litigation
that may result in claims for indemnification by a director, officer, employee
or other agent.
 
DELAWARE LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER AND BY-LAW PROVISIONS
 
    The Company is subject to the provisions of Section 203 ("Section 203") of
the DGCL. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation
from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a
period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person
became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in
a prescribed manner. A "business combination" includes a merger, asset sale or
other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested
stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with
affiliates and associates, owns (or, in certain cases, within three years prior,
did own) 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock. Under Section 203, a
business combination between the Company and an interested stockholder is
prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions: (i) the
Company's Board of Directors must have previously approved either the business
combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder, or (ii) on consummation of the transaction that resulted
in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the Company outstanding at
the time the transaction commenced (excluding, for purposes of determining the
number of shares outstanding, shares owned by (a) persons who are directors and
also officers and (b) employee stock plans, in certain instances) or (iii) the
business combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at an
annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at
least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the
interested stockholder.
 
    The Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for a classified Board of
Directors consisting of three classes. Each class will consist, as nearly as may
be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the
entire Board of Directors. At each annual meeting of stockholders, successors to
the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting will be elected
for a three-year term and until their respective successors are elected and
qualified. A director may only be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to
vote in the election of directors.
 
LIMITATIONS ON CHANGES IN CONTROL
 
    The Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for a classified Board of
Directors consisting of three classes serving staggered three-year terms. The
Restated Certificate of Incorporation also provides that a director may only be
removed for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares entitled to vote for the election of directors. These provisions, when
coupled with the
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
provisions in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Company's
By-laws authorizing the Board of Directors to fill newly created directorships
and vacancies on the Board of Directors, will preclude stockholders from
removing incumbent directors without cause and simultaneously gaining control of
the Board of Directors by filling the vacancies created by such removal with
their nominees. The foregoing provisions, the provisions authorizing the Board
of Directors to issue Preferred Stock without stockholder approval, and the
provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, could have the effect of delaying,
deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company or the removal of
existing management.
 
    In addition, the Company's By-Laws establish advance notice procedures for
stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as directors, or
bring other business before an annual meeting of stockholders of the Company
(the "Stockholder Notice Procedures").
 
    The Stockholder Notice Procedures provide that only persons who are
nominated by or at the direction of the Company's Board of Directors, or by a
stockholder who has given timely written notice to the Secretary of the Company
prior to the meeting at which directors are to be elected, will be eligible for
election as directors of the Company. The Stockholder Notice Procedures also
provide that at an annual meeting only such business may be conducted as has
been specified in the notice of the meeting given by, or at the direction of,
the Company's Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or
by a stockholder who has given timely written notice to the Secretary of the
Company of such stockholder's intention to bring such business before such
meeting.
 
    Under the Stockholder Notice Procedures, notice of stockholder nominations
to be made or business to be conducted at an annual meeting must be received by
the Company not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the date of the
annual meeting or, in the event that less than 70 days notice or prior public
disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is given or made to stockholders,
then notice must be received by the close of business on the tenth day following
the day on which such notice was mailed or such public disclosure was made,
whichever first occurs. Under the Stockholder Notice Procedures, notice of a
stockholder nomination to be made at a special meeting at which directors are to
be elected must be received by the Company not later than the close of business
on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the
special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special
meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
 
TRANSFER AGENT
 
    The transfer agent for the Common Stock is ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,
L.L.C.
 
                            VALIDITY OF COMMON STOCK
 
    The validity of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be passed
upon for the Company by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (a partnership
including professional corporations), One New York Plaza, New York, New York
10004-1980, and for the Underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell, 125 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10004-2498. Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson renders
legal services to Forstmann Little on a regular basis.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The financial statements and the related financial statement schedules
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports which are
incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon
the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Selling Stockholders have agreed to sell to each of the U.S. Underwriters named
below, and each of such U.S. Underwriters, for whom Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated are acting as representatives, has severally agreed to purchase
from the Selling Stockholders the respective number of shares of Common Stock
set forth opposite its name below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 NUMBER OF
                                                                                                 SHARES OF
                                                                                                  COMMON
                                         UNDERWRITER                                               STOCK
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>
    Goldman, Sachs & Co......................................................................      3,525,000
    Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
              Incorporated...................................................................      3,525,000
    Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated........................................................      3,525,000
    Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc..................................................................        375,000
    CIBC Oppenheimer Corp....................................................................        375,000
    Cowen & Company..........................................................................        200,000
    EVEREN Securities, Inc...................................................................        375,000
    Interstate/Johnson Lane Corporation......................................................        200,000
    Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P...............................................................        200,000
    C.L. King & Associates, Inc..............................................................        200,000
    Lazard Freres & Co. LLC..................................................................        375,000
    Lehman Brothers Inc......................................................................        375,000
    McDonald & Company Securities, Inc.......................................................        200,000
    NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC....................................................        375,000
    Olde Discount Corporation................................................................        200,000
    Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc......................................................        375,000
                                                                                               -------------
        Total................................................................................     14,400,000
                                                                                               -------------
                                                                                               -------------
</TABLE>
 
    Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the U.S.
Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares offered hereby,
if any are taken.
 
    The U.S. Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock in part
directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus and in part to certain securities dealers at such
price less a concession of $.90 per share. The U.S. Underwriters may allow, and
such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $.10 per share to
certain brokers and dealers. After the shares of Common Stock are released for
sale to the public, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to
time be varied by the representatives.
 
    The Company and the Selling Stockholders have entered into an underwriting
agreement (the "International Underwriting Agreement") with the underwriters of
the international offering (the "International Underwriters") providing for the
concurrent offer and sale of 3,600,000 shares of Common Stock in an
international offering outside the United States. The offering price and
aggregate underwriting discounts and commissions per share for the two offerings
are identical. The closing of the offering made hereby is a condition to the
closing of the International Offering, and vice versa. The representatives of
the International Underwriters are Goldman Sachs International, Merrill Lynch
International and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited.
 
    Pursuant to an Agreement between the U.S. and International Underwriting
Syndicates (the "Agreement Between") relating to the two offerings, each of the
U.S. Underwriters named herein has agreed that, as a part of the distribution of
the shares offered hereby and subject to certain exceptions, it will offer, sell
or deliver the shares of Common Stock, directly or indirectly, only in the
United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia),
its territories, its possessions and other
 
                                      U-1
<PAGE>
areas subject to its jurisdiction (the "United States") and to U.S. persons,
which term shall mean, for purposes of this paragraph: (a) any individual who is
a resident of the United States or (b) any corporation, partnership or other
entity organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political
subdivision thereof and whose office most directly involved with the purchase is
located in the United States. Each of the International Underwriters has agreed
pursuant to the Agreement Between that, as a part of the distribution of the
shares offered as a part of the international offering, and subject to certain
exceptions, it will (i) not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell or deliver
shares of Common Stock (a) in the United States or to any U.S. persons or (b) to
any person who it believes intends to reoffer, resell or deliver the shares in
the United States or to any U.S. persons, and (ii) cause any dealer to whom it
may sell such shares at any concession to agree to observe a similar
restriction.
 
    Pursuant to the Agreement Between, sales may be made between the U.S.
Underwriters and the International Underwriters of such number of shares of
Common Stock as may be mutually agreed. The price of any shares so sold shall be
the initial public offering price, less an amount not greater than the selling
concession.
 
    In connection with the Offerings, the Underwriters may purchase and sell the
Common Stock in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment
and stabilizing transactions, and purchases to cover syndicate short positions
created in connection with the Offerings. Stabilizing transactions consist of
certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline
in the market price of the Common Stock and syndicate short positions involve
the sale by the Underwriters of a greater number of shares of Common Stock than
they are required to purchase from the Selling Stockholders in the Offerings.
The Underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions
allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers in respect of the shares of
Common Stock sold in the Offerings for their account may be reclaimed by the
syndicate if such shares of Common Stock are repurchased by the syndicate in
stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain
or otherwise affect the market price of the Common Stock, which may be higher
than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market; and these
activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions
may be effected on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.
 
    The Selling Stockholders have granted the U.S. Underwriters an option
exercisable for 30 days after the date of this Prospectus to purchase up to an
aggregate of 2,160,000 additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover
over-allotments, if any. If the U.S. Underwriters exercise their over-allotment
option, the U.S. Underwriters have severally agreed, subject to certain
conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage thereof that the
number of shares to be purchased by each of them, as shown in the foregoing
table, bears to the 14,400,000 shares of Common Stock offered. The Selling
Stockholders have granted the International Underwriters a similar option to
purchase up to an aggregate of 540,000 additional shares of Common Stock.
 
    The Company has agreed that, during the period beginning from the date of
this Prospectus and continuing to and including the date 90 days after the date
of this Prospectus, it will not offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise
dispose of or file a registration statement (other than a registration statement
on Form S-8 with respect to an employee benefit plan) with respect to any Common
Stock, or any securities of the Company (other than pursuant to employee stock
option and incentive plans and agreements, upon conversion of outstanding
convertible securities or grants of options to directors and management) which
are substantially similar to the Common Stock or any other securities which are
exercisable or exchangeable for, convertible into or whose exercise or
settlement price is derivable from the price of Common Stock or any such
securities substantially similar to such securities, without the prior written
consent of the representatives of the Underwriters.
 
    The Selling Stockholders have agreed not to offer, sell or otherwise dispose
of any Common Stock for a period of 90 days after the date of the Offerings
without the prior written consent of the representatives of the Underwriters,
except for certain transfers to immediate family members, trusts for the benefit
 
                                      U-2
<PAGE>
of a Selling Stockholder and his or her immediate family, charitable foundations
and controlled entities so long as the transferee agrees to be bound by the
foregoing restrictions.
 
    The Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "GAC".
 
    The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act.
 
    This Prospectus may be used by underwriters and dealers in connection with
offers and sales of the Common Stock, including shares initially sold in the
International Offering, to persons located in the United States.
 
                                      U-3
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES TO
WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH
SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL.
NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER
ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE
AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           PAGE
                                           -----
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................           3
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...........................           3
Prospectus Summary....................           5
Risk Factors..........................          12
The Company...........................          16
Use of Proceeds.......................          16
Price Range of Common Stock and
  Dividend Policy.....................          17
Capitalization........................          18
Selected Financial Data...............          19
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................          21
Business..............................          28
Management............................          40
Selling Stockholders..................          45
Description of Capital Stock..........          47
Validity of Common Stock..............          49
Experts...............................          49
Underwriting..........................         U-1
</TABLE>
 
                               18,000,000 SHARES
 
                              GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE
                                  CORPORATION
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                           (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
 
                                 --------------
 
                                     [LOGO]
                                 --------------
 
                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
                           MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER
 
                      REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERWRITERS
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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