News Release
GULFSTREAM APPOINTS MICHAEL P. MENA DIRECTOR, ADVANCED COCKPIT PROGRAMS
SAVANNAH, Ga., Sept. 22, 2004 – Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has appointed Michael P. Mena director, advanced cockpit programs. In this new position, Mena will be responsible for assuring the timely development and introduction of future versions of the PlaneView flight deck across all models of Gulfstream business-jet aircraft. The most advanced cockpit in commercial aviation today, PlaneView can be found on four Gulfstream business-jet aircraft models - the G550, G500, G450 and G350. Additionally, he will oversee new and existing research and development programs that relate to advanced cockpit design.
“In the six years Mike has been with Gulfstream, he has made significant contributions to the advancement of the company’s business jets,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. “In his new role, he will continue to find ways to apply new technologies to our aircraft that result in improved performance and enhanced safety.”
Most recently, Mena served as director-G550 program manager, overseeing the development of the ultra-long-range G550 and G500 business jets. In this role, he led the G550 Development Team that was selected as the 2003 winner of the Robert J. Collier Trophy, the highest level of recognition given within the U.S. aerospace industry. Mena also served as director, program manager, responsible for the development of the Gulfstream Enhanced Vision System. Under Mena’s oversight, EVS was the first vision-enhancing system of its kind to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Before joining Gulfstream, Mena worked for the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, Calif. As program manager for the Saudi Arabian Airlines MD-90 aircraft, he was responsible for the development and certification of the airline company’s MD-90 commercial aircraft, which required several modifications and upgrades, including an advanced cockpit. Prior to that, he served as a business unit manager overseeing the MD-11, MD-80 and MD-90 avionics design and support team. He also served as an engineering manager, flight management systems, and a cognizant engineer, developing aircraft performance management systems.
Mena earned a bachelor’s degree, specializing in electrical and electronics design, from California State University, Los Angeles. He is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a volunteer tutor for the Literacy Volunteers of the Low Country in Bluffton, S.C.
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 1,400 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 mid-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G100™; 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 6,750 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 69,400 people worldwide and anticipates 2004 revenue of $19 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 about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com.
