News Release
GULFSTREAM INTRODUCES PLANECONNECT™
Maintenance Datalink To Be Available on All G550, G500, G450 and G350 Aircraft
SAVANNAH , Ga. , Sept. 24, 2007 – Gulfstream Aerospace introduces PlaneConnect ™, a maintenance data link that automatically transmits aircraft maintenance information from airborne PlaneView ®-equipped Gulfstream business jets to ground-based operations centers. Gulfstream is the first business-jet manufacturer to offer a service of this kind, which can result in faster turnarounds when in-transit aircraft require spare parts or attention from maintenance technicians. PlaneConnect is available on G550, G500, G450 and G350 business-jet models.
Gulfstream President Joseph T. Lombardo explained the value of real-time reporting of potential maintenance issues.
“The ability to send systems status and maintenance data to the ground and directly to the people responsible for the maintenance while the aircraft is still in flight is a great advantage,” Lombardo said. “Before the aircraft even lands, the necessary spare parts and expert technicians can be in place, therefore minimizing any downtime.”
PlaneConnect also will generate data that Gulfstream will use to gain additional insight into maintenance trends for its fleet of business jets.
"While Gulfstream aircraft have among the highest dispatch reliability rates in the industry, we continually strive to improve,” Lombardo added. “The aggregated data from PlaneConnect transmissions will enable us to more quickly to identify a part or system that may need to be modified or replaced. The bottom line is that PlaneConnect will help us become even more proactive in the maintenance process.”
PlaneConnect was developed specifically for the Gulfstream PlaneView flight deck, which features Honeywell’s Primus Epic avionics suite. PlaneConnect transmissions begin at the aircraft’s central maintenance computer, which is programmed to send maintenance information automatically or by request from the pilot. The information is then transmitted as either a VHF or SATCOM signal, depending on the first available transmission opening, to the ACARS (Aircraft Communications and Reporting System) network and on to the service provider of choice – either Honeywell’s Global Data Center or ARINC. From there, the transmission is sent via e-mail to the operator’s e-mail address and, if authorized, to Gulfstream Technical Operations.
Gulfstream tested the system in real-world conditions during a six-month period, using 12 in-service aircraft that collectively flew more than 600 flights. According to Pres Henne, Gulfstream senior vice president, engineering, program and test, the maintenance data down-link capability of PlaneView is the first step in providing Gulfstream customers the next generation of support.
"From a technical perspective, the flexibility of the PlaneView system allows us to continually evolve the flight deck as new technologies are introduced,” Henne said. “The success of our in-service evaluation opens the door to other types of airplane-to-ground and ground-to-airplane data transmissions.”
The PlaneConnect service can be enabled at no cost on in-service G550, G500 G450 and G350 aircraft when the most current PlaneView upgrade, Certification Delta, is installed.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 9,100 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 82,900 people worldwide and anticipates 2007 revenues of more than $27 billion. 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 online at www.generaldynamics.com.
