GULFSTREAM ASSIGNS DEDICATED TECHNICIANS TO ITS AIRBORNE PRODUCT SUPPORT AIRCRAFT
Eight Selected To Assist Domestic And International Operators In The Field
SAVANNAH, Ga., July 17, 2009 — Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), has assigned eight dedicated technicians to its Airborne Product Support™ Program.
The technicians, who have extensive training in Gulfstream aircraft systems, were selected by a panel consisting of service-center operations managers, quality managers and technical operations representatives after demonstrating competency in avionics and mechanical systems.
In addition to the technicians, Airborne Product Support employs four dedicated flight crews and a full-time manager to support the around-the-clock operation.
The technicians will travel on a Gulfstream G100 assigned exclusively to Airborne Product Support. The aircraft flies the technicians and flight-essential parts to airports within North America, Central America and the Caribbean in support of Gulfstream aircraft under warranty. In instances where an operator’s aircraft is located outside the G100’s range of service, Gulfstream flies the necessary parts and technicians to an airline hub, where they can reach the customer’s aircraft via commercial flights.
A typical dispatch involves two technicians. When not deployed, the technicians will support troubleshooting and system tests on aircraft in the Gulfstream Savannah Service Center.
“Our dedicated Airborne Product Support technicians ensure we have the best people representing Gulfstream in the field,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “They reinforce our commitment to provide first-rate support to our operators.”
Gulfstream recently completed its 2,000th Airborne Product Support flight. The company launched the program in May 2002 after a 12-month study of transient operator destinations, home-base locations and materials requirements. Gulfstream was the first, and remains the only, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to have a dedicated product-support jet aircraft.
The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
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 some 1,800 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 new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G250®; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350®; the large-cabin, long-range G450®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500®; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550® and the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650®. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 9,700 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 (NYSE: GD), headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,900 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.gd.com.