GULFSTREAM APPOINTS WILLIAM ‘BILL’ WHITTON VICE PRESIDENT, GULFSTREAM DESIGNATED CERTIFICATION OFFICE
New Position Serves as the Business-Jet Manufacturer’s Primary Liaison With the Federal Aviation Administration
SAVANNAH , Ga. , Oct. 24, 2006 – Gulfstream Aerospace has appointed William "Bill" Whitton vice president, Gulfstream Designated Certification Office. In this new position, he will lead the business-jet manufacturer’s Organizational Designation Authorization (ODA) activities, which include efforts to obtain amended Type and Production Certificates, as well as Supplemental Type Certificates. Relatively new to the FAA, the ODA system delegates a portion of its approval authority to aircraft manufacturers.
"The ODA is a new and very important organizational development for Gulfstream and the FAA," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. "Gulfstream and the FAA are delighted to have Bill accept this position."
A six-year employee, Whitton most recently served as director of aircraft system engineering. In that position he was involved in the design, development, certification and support of the G350, G450, G500 and G550 business jets. Prior to Gulfstream, he worked for Boeing Commercial Airplanes for 15 years, last serving as aircraft systems engineering leader on Boeing 747 programs.
Whitton earned two bachelor’s degrees – one in mathematics from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma , Wash. , and the other in electrical engineering from Portland State University.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation , a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150 ™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200 ™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350 ™; the large-cabin, long-range G450 ™; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500 ™ and the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 ™. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales ®. The company employs more than 7,900 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our Web site for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 81,900 people worldwide and had 2005 revenue of $21.2 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information can be found online at www.generaldynamics.com.