News Release
GULFSTREAM COMPLETES 2,000th AIRBORNE PRODUCT SUPPORT™ FLIGHT
Program Reduces Return-to-Service Times for Gulfstream Operators
SAVANNAH, Ga., March 4 2009 – Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), recently completed its 2,000th Airborne Product SupportTM flight, achieving the milestone seven years after introducing the on-demand maintenance service in May 2002.
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Gulfstream Product Support uses a dedicated Gulfstream G100 aircraft to fly 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.
Gulfstream launched Airborne Product Support 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. The Web address for Gulfstream, www.gulfstream.com, appears below the aircraft’s tail number, N247PS.
“Even though Gulfstream aircraft have industry-leading dispatch reliability rates, it’s still vitally important for Gulfstream to provide the best possible service to our operators. Airborne Product Support is one way we do that,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “The service minimizes the amount of time customers spend on the ground waiting for parts, repairs or technicians.”
Airborne Product Support employs dedicated pilots and a full-time manager to support the around-the-clock operation. Painted in distinct livery, the product-support aircraft can carry parts, test equipment and technicians.
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, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 92,300 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.