News Release
GULFSTREAM DELIVERS 150TH G200 BUSINESS JET
Large-Cabin, Mid-Range G200 Providing Operators
Outstanding Quality and Reliability
SAVANNAH , Ga. , April 26, 2007 – Gulfstream Aerospace delivered its 150th Gulfstream G200 business jet today. The large-cabin, mid-range G200 is one of six business jets – at varying size, price and performance points – offered by Gulfstream.
“With more than 200,000 flight hours accumulated, the G200 fleet has established a proven track record in terms of performance, quality and reliability,” said Pres Henne, senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, Gulfstream. “We will continue our effort to improve the G200’s already best-in-class dispatch reliability, which has now reached 99.75 percent.”
Shontz earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Pepperdine University.
Since Gulfstream acquired the G200 product line in 2001, the company has made significant improvements to it. Within the first year, Gulfstream redesigned the G200’s interior, reducing the aircraft’s weight by some 600 pounds. In 2004, Gulfstream began offering installations of Safe Flight’s Enhanced AutoPower® automatic throttle system (ATS). Also in 2004, the G200 received type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency. In February 2005, Gulfstream began offering high-speed Internet in-flight capability.
To optimize the reliability of each G200 aircraft, Gulfstream has packaged several aircraft service bulletins into its G200 Short Term Enhancement Programs (STEPs). Under the latest program, STEP IV, G200 aircraft coming into a Gulfstream Service Center , a General Dynamics Aviation Services facility or Gulfstream Authorized Warranty Center for routine maintenance can also have a number of reliability-enhancing maintenance activities performed during the visit.
Gulfstream has also made strides in G200 maintainability. In August 2006, Gulfstream published details of the new version of its G200 MSG-3 scheduled maintenance program. The new MSG-3 program significantly reduces the number of required scheduled maintenance tasks while retaining the highest level of safety standards as defined by the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). In addition, maintenance inspection intervals have been increased from 300 to 500 flight hours, thus improving aircraft availability for G200 operators.
The Gulfstream G200 was the first of the new generation of super mid-size business-jet aircraft to enter service.It offers the longest range, the largest cabin and the best balanced overall performance among its competitors. In addition, G200 can fly 3,400 nautical miles nonstop and is capable of reaching speeds of up to .85 Mach.
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 1,600 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 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 7,900 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 81,000 people worldwide and had 2006 revenues of $24.1 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 is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.
