CANADIAN-REGISTERED GULFSTREAM AIRCRAFT APPROVED TO OPERATE AT MAXIMUM ALTITUDES

G450 And G350 Now Authorized To Fly Up To 45,000 Feet

SAVANNAH, Ga., January 5, 2011 –  Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. recently received approval from Transport Canada for the company’s large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450 and G350 aircraft to operate at their maximum cruise altitude of 45,000 feet.

Transport Canada normally restricts flight to 41,000 feet or below, unless special conditions have been met to ensure against rapid depressurization of the aircraft cabin.

Gulfstream’s Automatic Emergency Descent Mode (AEDM) was key to obtaining this higher operational altitude. AEDM mitigates the risk of occupant injury due to rapid depressurization by automatically lowering the aircraft to the appropriate altitude. Should the pilots become incapacitated due to depressurization, the AEDM automatically turns the aircraft 90 degrees and lowers it to 15,000 feet (4,572 m) altitude and 250 knots air speed. This maneuver allows the flight crew to regain consciousness and assume control of the aircraft.

The G450 and G350 join the GV, G550 and G500 in being authorized by Transport Canada to fly at their maximum certified altitudes. The G550 and G500 were already approved to operate at 51,000 feet, because they are equipped with both AEDM and a secondary pressure bulkhead that can maintain cabin pressurization in the unlikely event of an uncontained engine failure. These attributes enable the aircraft to meet Transport Canada’s high altitude special conditions.

Flying at higher altitudes allows aircraft to avoid traffic congestion and adverse weather. It also provides for more fuel-efficient operation.

 

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 1,900 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 Gulfstream 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 Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 10,000 people at 10 major locations. We invite you to visit our website for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 90,000 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 the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.