GULFSTREAM LAUNCHES FIELD AND AIRBORNE SUPPORT TEAM (FAST) MOBILE MAINTENANCE VEHICLE

Specially Outfitted Unit Supports Operators In Northern California And Colorado

SAVANNAH, Ga., June 12, 2012 — Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. will soon support Gulfstream operators in northern California and Colorado using a specially outfitted Field and Airborne Support Team (FAST) mobile maintenance vehicle.

From its base at San Jose International Airport, the vehicle will support customers’ Gulfstream aircraft located in and around San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland, as well as Gulfstream aircraft in Sacramento, Fresno and as far east as Reno, Nev. From December to early March, the vehicle will be based at Denver’s Centennial Airport to serve operators in Colorado during ski season.

The custom-designed FAST vehicle supports technicians with providing a wide range of services, including aircraft-on-ground (AOG) support, line maintenance, inspections and engine changes.  It will be staffed by technicians from Gulfstream’s service center in Long Beach, Calif.

“We have more than 60 operators based in northern and central California, and many operators who travel in and out of Colorado from December to March, so we believe there is a good business case for such a resource,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support.

“Depending on customer response, we may test the demand for similar support vehicles in other parts of the United States, or in Europe — places where we have a high concentration of Gulfstream aircraft.”

The FAST support vehicle comprises a 24-foot-long by 8-foot-wide trailer hauled by a Ford F-650 truck.  A seven-member team can work directly out of the work center whether it is attached to the truck or offloaded onto a ramp. It is equipped with technical data access, a 645-piece consolidated toolbox, replacement parts, an onboard generator, a lift, a hydraulic mule, an air compressor and aircraft jacks.

On-board capabilities include:

• Line-service repairs
• Engine changes
• Part removal and installation
• Post-flight and storage inspections
• Minor scheduled inspections
• Minor cabin interior repairs

The new Gulfstream FAST mobile maintenance vehicle is on exhibit during the Gulfstream Operators Conference, June 11-14 at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.

Gulfstream FAST also includes more than 20 lighter duty vehicles across the United States and Europe, two G100 aircraft and a dedicated group of pilots and technicians to support operators worldwide.

 

 

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 2,000 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 new large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G280®; 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 12,500 people at 12 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 93,000 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.